A Raisin in the Sun

1. A Raisin in the Sun Act I Scene I Questions

2. The stage directions say that the living room in the Younger apartment might be comfortable and well-ordered, but �weariness� has �won in this room.� What physical details of the living room set show these qualities? The furniture is �tired� Worn places disguised with doilies and covers Surfaces scrubbed and polished so much that they are worn Carpet described as showing weariness in places not covered Definitely a living room

3. What details of the setting show that the apartment is crowded? Kitchen is really a section of the living room No dining room, and there is only one window for both rooms One bedroom shared by Mama and Beneatha A room that should have been a breakfast room serves as the bedroom for Walter and Ruth Travis sleeps on fold-out bed in living room Bathroom in the hall; shared with other tenants in the building

4. Walter�s wife, Ruth, is described as a pretty �girl,� who is changing into a �settled woman.� What has happened to change Ruth�s beauty? Life has not been what Ruth expected, so she is disappointed. Disappoints and frustrations are beginning to show in Ruth�s face and manner

5. Walter comes into the living room, what thoughts are on his mind? What does he ask Ruth?� Walter first wants to know if Travis is out of the bathroom. When he learns he isn�t, he wants to know why Ruth has gotten him out of bed this early. He wants to know about the check.

6. Walter tells Ruth that she looks young this morning and calls her �baby.� What do his remarks and Ruth�s responses reveal about their relationship?� Walter�s comments imply that they have probably been happier than they are now. He also kind of teases her by saying she only looked younger for a second. Still he notices her and it�s clear that he cares about her Their exchange shows that communication has become difficult.

7. Walter and Ruth react differently when Travis asks for money for school. What are Walter�s and Ruth�s attitudes about money? Ruth is practical. She�s realistic about their lack of money and expects Travis to accept their poverty. Walter is a bit of a dreamer. He wants Travis to think that there is more money than there is. He wants his son to think well of him; that he�s a good provider.

8. Ruth tells Walter she doesn�t want to know what he has been thinking about. Why? What has Walter been thinking about? Ruth knows that Walter want to buy a liquor store with Willy Harris. She doesn�t want to discuss this because she believes that Willy is no good and she knows that Walter doesn�t have the money to invest in a liquor store.

9. How does Walter think women should treat their men? He thinks women should be supportive. He says that one reason men fail is because their women have no vision of getting ahead in life.

10. How does Ruth react to Walter�s desire for her support? Ruth reacts with weariness because she has heard it all before. She says that Walter never says anything new. She is tired of listening to his dreams day in and day out. She hints that some men do more than just talk.

11. Describe the immediate exchange of words between Walter and his sister, Beneatha, when she comes into the living room. Walter tells Beneatha that she looks horrible in the mornings. Beneatha compares Walter to the organism she is dissecting in biology class. While bantering is part of every sibling relationship it appears as though there is some tension between Walter and Beneatha.

12. What are Beneatha�s hopes for her own future? Why is Walter concerned about Beneatha�s plans?� Beneatha wants to be a doctor; she hopes to be able to help others, help relieve their suffering. Walter is concerned about how much it will cost for Beneatha to go to medical school. He worries that Mama will spend the insurance check on Beneatha�s education and not on the liquor store he wants to invest in.

13. What sacrifices does Walter say have been made for Beneatha�s sake? How does Beneatha react when she hears this? How does their conversation end? Walter says that he and Ruth are helping Beneatha financially; that Ruth has had to work to support Beneatha�s and everyone has to scrimp including Travis. Beneatha mockingly drops to her knees and gives thanks and asks forgiveness for wanting to be a doctor. Walter tells her that that she is crazy for wanting to be a doctor. Beneatha reminds him that the money he is worried about is Mama�s money. Under her breath, Beneatha says she is glad Mama won�t invest her money in the liquor store. After arguing some more, Walter storms out.

14. How is Mama described in the stage directions? Although she is sixty, Mama if �full bodied and strong.� She has overcome many things in her life, but still has intelligence, faith, an interest in life and strength in her expression. She bears herself nobly and precisely. Mama also has grace and subtle beauty.

15. What does Mama retrieve when she opens the window? What is unique about this object? Mama retrieves a little potted plant. This plant is unique in that it looks like it is having to fight for its life.

16. How does Mama interfere in Ruth�s life? Mama criticizes the breakfast Ruth gives Travis. She picks up after Travis. She, also, tells Ruth that she needs to eat more and get more rest

17. In conversations with Ruth and Beneatha in this scene, Mama�s values become more clear. How does Mama feel about money? Mama sees money as a way to better the conditions for her family, not as a way to better herself. She laughs when Ruth says she should use the money for a trip. She wants to use the money for Beneatha�s education and to buy a house. She doesn�t want her money to go towards the liquor store which would contribute to the misery of black people. She does not appear to be envious of people who have money

18. What kind of man was Big Walter? Why does Mama claim he worked himself to death?� Big Walter was a devoted family man; however Mama says that he was mean and a bit wild sometimes. He worked very hard to provide for his family. When Mama lost a baby, Walter was very upset and he began to work even harder. Mama thinks that this overwork is what caused big Walter�s death.

19. How much does Mama value religion? How does she react to Beneatha�s denial of God?� Religion is central to Mama�s life. She mentions that she and Big Walter made a special effort to take their children to church. When Beneatha states she does not believe in God, Mama gets very offended and slaps her. She makes it clear that she will not tolerate negative talk about God or religion in her house.

20. Mama compares her plant to her children. How are the plant and the children alike? What does the plant symbolize to Mama? Neither the plant nor Mama�s children have had all the physical necessities that would allow them to flourish; however, both have managed to live and grow. Mama loves and admires both her children and her plant.

21. What does Mama ask Ruth to do at the end of this scene? What happens to Ruth? � Mama asks Ruth to sing her a spiritual, but Ruth can�t because she has passed out.