A Raisin in the Sun Study Guide

Why did Walter ask Ruth what was wrong with her? 

Walter asks Ruth what's wrong because she seems indifferent and tense. 

Why was Ruth upset when Walter gave Travis the money? 

Ruth was upset when Walter gave Travis the money because they don’t have a lot of money. 

Who are Willy and Bobo? 

Willy and Bobo are Walter’s friends, and Willy wants Walter to invest in a liquor business. 

Walter said, “Damn my eggs... damn all the eggs that ever was!” Why? 

Walter said this because he is frustrated that whenever he tries to talk to Ruth about himself, she just tells him to eat his eggs and go to work. 

Who is Beneatha? 

Beneatha is mama’s college-aged daughter. 

Why was Mama getting a check for $10,000? 

Mama was getting a check for $10,000 for life insurance for her dead husband, Big Walter. 

Why did Beneatha say she wouldn’t marry George Murchison? 

Beneatha says she wouldn’t marry George Murchison because he’s shallow. 

What was Beneatha’s attitude toward God? 

Beneatha doesn’t care about God. She doesn’t understand what God has to do with her education, considering its not him paying for it and he takes credit for things people do. 

What happened to Ruth at the end of Act 1 Scene 1? 

Ruth fainted at the end of Act 1 Scene 1. 

Who is Joseph Asagai? 

Joseph Asagai is one of Beneatha’s fellow students from Nigeria. 

What did Ruth find out at the doctor’s office? 

Ruth found out she was pregnant at the doctor’s office. 

Why is Asagai’s present to Beneatha appropriate? 

Asagai’s present to Beneatha is appropriate because it is clothes from Nigeria that foreshadows putting on a new life. 

Why is Asagai’s nickname for Beneatha appropriate? 

Asagai’s nickname for Beneatha is appropriate because it means “One for Whom Bread – Food – Is Not Enough” and Beneatha and Walter want more from life than just surviving, wanting a better quality of life. 

What does Mama say is “dangerous”? 

Mama says that when a man goes outside his home to look for peace, it is dangerous. 

Where did Ruth actually go instead of the doctor’s office? 

Ruth actually went to see a woman about having an abortion instead of going to the doctor’s office. 

Why did Mama call Walter a disgrace to his father’s memory? 

Mama called Walter a disgrace to his father’s memory because he had become obsessed with money and lost his family values so much that he didn’t try to convince Ruth not to have an abortion. 

What was Beneatha’s family doing when George came in? 

Beneatha and Walter were dancing and singing Nigerian songs and Walter was drunk. 

What are “assimilationist Negroes”? 

“Assimilationist Negroes” are someone who is willing to give up their own culture and submerge themself into the dominant culture. 

What did Mama do with the money? 

Mama made a down payment on a home. 

What was Walter’s reaction to Mama’s purchase? What was Ruth’s reaction? 

Walter was very upset about Mama’s purchase but Ruth was extremely happy about it. 

How did Ruth find out Walter hadn’t been going to work? 

Ruth finds out Walter hadn’t been going to work because she calls his workplace. 

Where had Walter been going instead of going to work? 

Walter had been driving and walking around watching people. 

What did Mama do for Walter? 

Mama gave Walter the remaining money she had from Big Walter’s life insurance. She told Walter to put $3,000 in the bank for Beneatha’s schooling and use $3,500 for the liquor business. 

What do you think Walter is going to do with the money? 

I think Walter is going to be selfish and use all of the money despite being told to only use $3,500. 

Who is Karl Lindner, and why did he visit the Youngers’ apartment? 

Karl Lindner is from the Clybourne Park Improvement Association. He visited the Youngers’ apartment to ask them not to move into their neighborhood and that the association members were willing to pay their family not to move there. 

What was Walter’s reaction to Lindner? 

At first Walter was happy they were being “welcomed” into the neighborhood but got angry that Lindner didn’t want them in the neighborhood. 

What presents did Mama get? 

Mama received gardening tools and a big gardening hat. 

What news did Bobo bring to Walter? 

Bobo tells Walter that Willy is gone. He took all of their money and ran. 

Why didn’t Beneatha want to be a doctor anymore? 

Beneatha didn’t want to be a doctor anymore because she now thinks that physical ailments aren’t the problems of society, that people’s hearts aren’t true. 

How did Asagai define “idealists” and “realists”? 

Asagai defines “idealists” as people who see changes, dream, and refuse to give up. He defines “realists” as people who only perceive a never-ending cycle that they believe is the future, but who recognize that they are being tricked. 

What does Asagai ask Beneatha to do? 

Asagai asked Beneatha to marry him and return to Africa with him. 

What fault does Mama find with herself? 

Mama believes she aimed too high, and her dreams were too high. 

What solution does Walter have? 

Walter believes accepting the money from Lindner will solve their problems. 

Why didn’t Walter take the money Lindner offered? What changed his mind? 

Walter didn’t take the money Lindner offered because his conscience and moral upbringing wouldn’t let him ruin his family’s pride. 

Did the Youngers stay or move? 

The Youngers moved into the new home.