A Raisin in the Sun

how much was the insurance check?

$10,000

how much $ will each person have to pay for the investment on the liquor store?

$10,000 each

what will be the initial investment on the liquor store?

$30,000

how much was the downpayment on the house?

$3500

how much $ did mama give walter?

$6500

how much will the liquor store cost?

$75,000

**do you think linder really believes his arguments, including his statement that "race prejudice simply doesn't enter into it"?

(he is saying that white families are victims by letting these black ppl move in) no, b/c they are actually being forced out due to solely their race.

describe a few things that mama and beneatha disagree about. (act 1 scene i)

1.) god 2.) money 3.) marriage 4.) wants to be independent 5.) switching passions constsntly

Beneatha Younger

20 years old, attends college in hopes of becoming a doctor, personal beliefs are very different from mama's; "bennie"; walter lee's younger sister and mama's daughter; wants to go to medical school; has 2 suitors, george and asagai

what will ruth not give to travis at the begging of the play? why? who does give it to him?

50 cents for lunch, b/c she says they don't have it but walter gives it to him instead

Willy Harris

A friend of Walter and coordinator of the liquor store plan, walter gives $ to him but he becomes missing

"I also see that everybody thinks it's all right for mama to be a tyrant. But all the tyranny in the world will never put a God in the heavens."

Bennie

"I am looking for my identity!"

Bennie

why is beneatha worried about mama meeting with mr. asagai?

Bennie does not want mama to be ignorant

what do you think is the significance of mama's plant? (act 1 scene i)

Her dreams and what she wants for her family. b/c she isn't able to get a house yet, this plant represents a dream she could obtain & holds sentimental value & it also makes her happy.

what does asagai say about realists & idealists?

IDEALISTS= those who see the changes, who dream, who will not give up REALISTS= those who can only the circle, the little main part of life

"But you've got to admit that a man, right or wrong, has the right to want to have the neighborhood he lives in a certain kind of way."

Linder

"So now it's life. Money is life. Once upon a time freedom used to be life—now it's money. I guess the world do change..."

Mama

is walter the typical protagonist? why or why not?

NO, because he is not necessarily the greatest man on earth--he drinks a lot and does not have the respect for his family or mother that he should

Joesph Asagai

Nigerian student, intellectual, proud of African heritage, benetha's suitor from Nigeria--wants to bring Bennie to Africa with him to practice medicine (asks her to marry him)

Karl Linder

Only white character in the play, arrives at the Youngers' apartment; He offers the Youngers a deal to reconsider moving into his (all-white) neighborhood; white representative from the clybourne welcoming committee

Walter Lee Younger

Protagonist, dreamer but never sets his plan into action, wants to invest in a liquor store, eventually steps up to the role of the "man" of the house; mama's oldest child and son; works as a chaffeur for a wealthy white family; middle 30s

Travis Younger

Ruth and Walter' s son, Earns money by carrying groceries, sleeps on sofa; 10 years old

how does ruth feel about her pregnancy?

Ruth wants to have an abortion--pit a $5,000 down payment for one

What does mama say is dangerous?

She says it is dangerous "when a man goes outside his home to look for peace."

Alaiyo

The name "Alaiyo" means "one for whom bread is not enough." This really reflects that Beneatha wants more out of life than just the sustenance of bread

studying the dialogue between ruth & walter, how would you describe their relationship?

They argue like children, they are bickering constantly

**how does george murchinson serve as a foil to walter? how does he serve as a foil to beneatha?

WALTER= george is what walter aspires to be & it is anything but what george wants to be; he wants G's life and is super jealous BENEATHA= G tells her that she looks good & sticks up for her but beneatha doesn't really care that much

"Here I am a giant—surrounded by ants! Ants who can't even understand what it is the giant is talking about."

Walter Lee

what does ruth call the apartment?

a rat trap

act 3 setting (scene 1)

an hour later

how does mama react to the insurance check? (act 1 scene ii)

at first she is happy, but then realizes how it is b/c her husband died & he was worth much more than that. it is like her husband had a price tag.

why does walter say that "money is life"? what is mama's response to this idea? (act 1 scene ii)

b/c that is the only thing he cares about in life anymore. freedom used to be life & doesn't understand--basically says she appreciates them, but hardly knows any of them anymore

why is walter crushed when he learns what mama has done with the insurance money?

because his dream has been crushed

why does mama want to take the plant to her new home? what might it symbolize to her?

because it expresses herself. it may symbolize her family, which is the only thing of importance to her life, just like the plant!

why is ruth angry at the beginning of the play?

because travis has to sleep on the couch & all of walter's friends came in late and were super loud which kept travis up

"that money belongs to mama, walter, and it's for her to decide how she wants to use it."

beneatha

George Murchison

bennie's african-american suitor who is very rich very arrogant, thinks women should be an accessory

relationship between ruth & travis

both hard-headed; there is a love there, but they bicker a lot

how does mama display her inner strength?

by depicting her beleifs, notions, & views and sticking to them

what is the general setting of the play?

chicago's southside, sometime between WWII and the present (1956)---play is about 2 months long

does george's behavior reinforce or contradict the impression he gave in the previous scene? give examples to support your opinion. (act 2, scene ii)

contradicts the impression b/c he is now super rude to beneatha & before he supported her with her hair.----basically saying women are ASCESSORIES

difference between ruth & beneatha

difference is ruth is married w/ love & beneath is seeing some super rich guy (george)---all about $$$

what are some of the themes in this play?

dilemma of housing, money, identity, and dignity facing african-americans in urban america

"Mama" Lena Younger

early 60s; widowed matriarch of the younger family, very religious, husband died and she gets $; insurance check written in her name; **HARD WORKER**; loses a child

T/F: beneatha has hopes of becoming a nurse

false

Poem from which title came from

harlem

what does walter's behavior on the day he skips work indicate about his state of mind? in your opinion, why has walter's drinking gotten worse?

he doesn't care at all about anything. he knows his life is terrible & doesn't care to do anything about it at all. he has drank so much he has lost all sense of rational thinking & instinct---he is dreaming too big.

how does walter feel about beneatha wanting to be a doctor?

he doesn't like it--just wants her to be a nurse, get married, & get out

why is walter tempted to accept the money offered by linder?

he feels bad for losing the insurance money, and this would replace it. he wants to get with money, but she just wants a house.---wants to buy ruth pearls & a yacht for himself.

what has walter done with the money that mama entrusted to him? why is mama distraught when she finds out?

he gave it all away to willy to go to springfield & achieve the dream; HOWEVER willy goes missing and looses all of it. because she told him to deposit it & she was worried of losing him so she gave the money, which he put all to WASTE.

what are some of walter's frustrations at the start of the play?

he is frustrated that he has to share a bathroom; that ruth runs the entire family, & that ruth will not give travis $ for school. also that beneatha says mama won't give him any money from check.

how does asagai feel about america?

he is very judgemental about america

dramatic irony is a contrast between what a character says & a deeper significance grasped by the audience. describe the dramatic irony when mr. linder claims that he represents a "welcoming committee."

he isn't welcoming them into the committee. he is kicking them out.

what is walter's immediate reaction to ruth's condition? how does mama feel about ruth's condition?

he says ruth would never do it & is angry. mama tells walter that he has to tell ruth he wants the baby so she doesn't kill it. however, walter just walks out and goes to drink.

what is walter trying to get mama to do? does he think it can happen?

he wants to try to get mama to enlist him to the check, but he does not think he can do it

how does asagai view women & what is the irony here?

his view of women is horrible •problem is that he comes from africa, and this is his social norm back in africa

is asagai more of an idealist or realist?

idealist views beneatha as what the new world has to offer; hoping that she will sum

how does hansberry establish mood at the start of act 3?

it is gray not like it was in act 1--asagai comes back to visit beneatha, which brings many mixed emotions to beneatha

what is mama's rationale for making this purchase? what problems could result from her purchase? (act 2, scene i)

it was initially her dream, but she did it right then for them because she saw her family was falling apart and she could not watch it any longer. she is actually affectionate towards her family, but her realtionship w/ walter could be @ risk & money to continue pay can be tough.

who is the author?

lorainne hansberry

"it's too early in the morning to be talking about money. it ain't christian."

mama

"we ain't no business people, ruth. we just plain working folks."

mama

who is the matriarch of the family?

mama

relationship between mama & ruth

mama is questioning how ruth parenting & she tries to give advice to ruth on how to parent. BUT THEN it seems as if ruth is parenting mama *she is trying to "co-parent" and ruth does not like it at all*

who does mama respect more: walter or ruth?

mama respects ruth more than her own son, walter

Ruth Younger

married to Walter, takes care of the apartment, fights with Walter but wants them to be in love again, fights about money a lot; about 30

what are some of ruth's primary concerns at the start of the play?

money---check; travis & walter and getting them up; making them breakfast

is beneatha more of an idealist or realist?

more of a realist now

how much does linder offer for the house?

more than they put down

who is walter lee a chaffeur for?

mr. arnold

do you think mrs. younger made the right decision in deciding to give money for the liquor store venture to walter? why or why not?

no, because walter thinks of himself too highly now & thinks he is all that now.

at the end of the scene, when walter says he will hand the world to his son, do you think this dream will really happen? why or why not? (act 2, scene ii)

no, becuase walter will end up leaving his family just to pursue this dream & ultimately become poor.

Bobo

one of Walter's partners in the liquor store plan. Bobo appears to be as mentally slow as his name indicates; walter's business partner

do you think the play ends in an optimistic or pessimistic way? explain.

optimistic because there is hope for good in their new world & new house

how would you characterize travis's relationship with his parents & his grandmother?

ruth & travis= both hard-headed; bicker a lot, but still love each other, typical relationship b/t mother & son travis & walter= get along; both mad that ruth wouldn't give hum money

act 1 setting (time) (scene 1 and scene 2)

scene 1: friday morning scene 2: the following morning

act 2 setting (scene 1, 2, & 3)

scene 1: later, the same day scene 2: friday night, a few weeks later scene 3: moving day, one week later

why doesn't beneatha want to be a doctor anymore? (act 3)

she believes that is more of a child's dream or an idealist way of seeing things, not something that can actually happen. she also simply doesn't care about it as much anymore.

**as beneatha talks with asagai, what can you tell about beneatha's character?

she is insecure, hypocritcal, & very serious at times. she is very different around him than she is usually (very submissive)

what are ruth's feelings about moving?

she says she will work 20 hours/day to do so. she will do anything to move b/c she says that they need to move & have got to get out of the apartment.

what does mama want to do with the insurance check?

she wants to buy a 2-story house so everyone has their own room

relationship between ruth & walter

tense; still loves each other; walter undermines her; disagree on things; good cop/bad cop ruth = bad cop walter= good cop

as the play begins, what is everyone concerned with?

that the check is coming soon

what does the house that mama wants to buy symbolize?

the american dream (mama wants to buy into the american dream) •she essentially just wants a very achievable dream w/money

Mrs. Johnson

the neighbor, takes advantage of the younger's hospitality, jealous of them moving---when they move it tells ms. johnson that she is below them & not as good

where did the title of the play come from?

the poem "Harlem" by langston hughes "Does it dry up Like a raisin in the sun?"

what do walter and ruth discuss? (regarding themselves)(act 2, scene i)

their relationship and walter basically says how bad ruth is

describe the mood at the begging of act 2, scene iii.

they are all happy & excited. walter is treating ruth like a queen.

how do walter and beneatha seem similar at the start of the scene? (act 2, scene i)

they both want to be in charge & to further define themselves & their identity

describe one conflict between beneatha & walter at the beginning of the play. (act 1, scene i)

they disagree on the check. walter wants mama to enlist them to the check but he doesn't. beneatha says it is mama's money, not his

how are willy and bobo related to walter?

through business

why does mama want travis present when walter speaks to mr. linder?

to make sure he is understanding what walter lee is doing. she wants walter to teach travis good, just like willy harris tought him, how their 5 generations acted

what does walter ultimately decide to do with $ offered by linder? why?

to move into the house because his father erned that house for them, brick by brick. & they are proud people and will not give it up

what is walter's "american dream"?

to open up a liquor store, be rich, and have a cadillac-- basically just wants MONEY

how does asagai feel about beneatha in terms of his hopes and dreams when he asks her to move to africa with him?

views beneatha as what the new world has to offer; hoping that she will symbolize all industries if she moves back to africa w/ him

"First thing a man ought to learn in life is not to make love to no colored woman first thing in the morning"

walter lee

"I'm thirty-five years old; I been married eleven year and I got a boy who sleeps in the living room---and all I got to give him is stories about how white people live..."

walter lee

**the scene with mrs. johnson was originally cut from the original production of the play. why might it be an important scene?

we learn about other people's opinions of the youngers

what are the positive & negative aspects of the quote "it means One for Whom Bread---Food---Is Not Enough."

•negative= this isn't enough, he is needy & wants more •positive=pertinacious; needy; she is ambitious