bySayantani Barman Experta en el extranjero
Reading Passage Question
In Raisin in the Sun, Lorraine Hansberry does not reject integration or the economic and moral promise of the American dream; rather, she remains loyal to this dream while looking, realistically, at its incomplete realization. Once we recognize this dual vision, we can accept the play's ironic nuances as deliberate social commentaries by Hansberry rather than as the "unintentional" irony that Bigsby attributes to the work. Indeed, a curiously persistent refusal to credit Hansberry with a capacity for intentional irony has led some critics to interpret the play's thematic conflicts as mere confusion, contradiction, or eclecticism. Isaacs, for example, cannot easily reconcile Hansberry's intense concern for her race with her ideal of human reconciliation. But the play's complex view of Black self-esteem and human solidarity as compatible is no more "contradictory" than Du Bois' famous well-considered ideal of ethnic self-awareness coexisting with human unity, or Fanon's emphasis on an ideal internationalism that also accommodates national identities and roles.
‘In Raisin in the Sun, Lorraine Hansberry does not reject’ is a GMAT reading comprehension passage with answers. Candidates need a strong knowledge of English GMAT reading comprehension.
This GMAT Reading Comprehension consists of 7 comprehension questions. The GMAT Reading Comprehension questions are designed for the purpose of testing candidates’ abilities in understanding, analysing, and applying information or concepts. Candidates can actively prepare with the help of GMAT Reading Comprehension Practice Questions.
Solutions and Explanation
- The author's primary purpose in the passage is to
(A) explain some critics' refusal to consider Raisin in the Sun a deliberately ironic play
(B) suggest that ironic nuances ally Raisin in the Sun with Du Bois' and Fanon's writings
(C) analyze the fundamental dramatic conflicts in Raisin in the Sun
(D) justify the inclusion of contradictory elements in Raisin in the Sun
(E) affirm the thematic coherence underlying Raisin in the Sun
Answer: E
Explanation: The author begins by outlining Hansberry's adherence to the American dream and painting a realistic picture of its partial realisation. Then, they point out that reading Raisin in the Sun creates challenges if one does not detect Hansberry's deliberate irony. Finally, the author gives examples of both authors who shared Hansberry's viewpoint and detractors who failed to see its irony. E is the right answer.
- It can be inferred from the passage that the author believes which of the following about Hansberry's use of irony in Raisin in the Sun?
(A) It derives from Hansqerry's eclectic approach to dramatic structure.
(B) It is justified by Hansberry's loyalty to a favorable depiction of American life.
(C) It is influenced by the themes of works by Du Bois and Fanon.
(D) It is more consistent with Hansberry's concern for Black Americans than with her ideal of human reconciliation.
(E) It reflects Hansberry's reservations about the extent to which the American dream has been realized.
Answer: E
Explanation: A is incorrect because there is no reference of "Hansqerry's eclectic approach" in the text. Some critics see the play's deliberate use as "eclecticism" rather than irony. B is not the correct response because the passage never uses a tone of "justification" or any sort of evidence. The right response is E.
- In which of the following does the author of the passage reinforce his criticism of responses such as Isaacs' to Raisin in the Sun?
(A) The statement that Hansberry is "loyal" to the American dream (line 3)
(B) The description of Hansberry's concern for Black Americans as "intense" (line 13)
(C) The assertion that Hansberry is concerned with "human solidarity" (line 15)
(D) The description of Du Bois' ideal as "well-considered" (line 17)
(E)The description of Fanon's internationalism as "ideal" (line 19)
Answer: D
Explanation: But there are roles in the play, etc. The author uses Du Bois and Fanon as examples to show that the play's view of solidarity is not as "contradicted" as those critics thought. In that the play is intentionally using deliberate irony in its expression. This is just where the author reinforces his criticism of response. "The assertion that Hansberry is concerned with human solidarity" is the author's opinion, not the author's response to those critics. Notice the phrase "no more than." D is accurate.
- The author of the passage would probably consider which of the following judgments to be most similar to the reasoning of critics described in lines in Bold?
(A) The world is certainly flat; therefore, the person proposing to sail around it is unquestionably foolhardy.
(B) Radioactivity cannot be directly perceived; therefore, a scientist could not possibly control it in a laboratory.
(C) The painter of this picture could not intend it to be funny; therefore, its humor must result from a lack of skill.
(D) Traditional social mores are beneficial to culture; therefore, anyone who deviates from them acts destructively.
(E) Filmmakers who produce documentaries deal exclusively with facts; therefore, a filmmaker who reinterprets particular events is misleading us.
Answer: C
Explanation: "In fact, eclecticism." The play's intentional irony is not accepted by critics, who instead dismiss it as ordinary "confusion, contradiction, or eclecticism." All of these criticisms point to the play's technical deficiencies. Also, take note of the term "intends it to be humorous." This phrase directly parallels "deliberate irony" in its attribute, making (C) the ideal answer to the critic's argument.
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