A Raisin in the Sun - Test Review

What word does Mama utter repeatedly after she has found out what Walter has done at the end of Act Two?

Strength

Who ran away with the Youngers' insurance money?

Willy Harris

Who informs Walter Lee that Willy has stolen the money?

Bobo

Willy asks Bobo, "What happened in..." this town (where Bobo was supposed to go with Willy Harris...)?

Springfield

How did Bobo know that Willy stole the insurance money?

He never showed up at the train station to go to Springfield.

Why were Bobo and Willy supposed to go to Springfield?

To speed up the process of getting a liquor license for the liquor store they were planning to invest in

What gift do Ruth, Walter, and Beneatha get for Mama

A new set of gardening tools

What gift does Travis get for Mama?

A new gardening hat

What is the reaction of the family members when they see Travis's gift for Mama? What's Mama's reaction?

They laugh at how ridiculous the hat looks; Mama defends it.

Before leaving the Youngers' house, Mr. Lindner says, "You just can't force people to _____________ their ______________, son. "

Change their hearts

What is the proposition that Mr. Lindner offers to the Youngers?

He and the other Clybourne Park residents will buy out the Youngers' new house at a profit to the Youngers...

Why does Mr. Lindner come visit the Youngers' house?

To inform them that they are not welcome in Clybourne Park... and to offer them a deal to ensure they do not move in to the new house.

Who says, "We feel that most of the trouble in this world, when you come right down to it... exists because people just don't sit down and talk to each other."

Mr. Lindner

What is the name of the association which Mr . Lindner represents?

the Clybourne Park Improvement Association

What is the significance of Walter saying, "I can just see that chick someday looking down at some poor cat on an operating table and before she starts to slice him, she says, ' By the way, what are your views on civil rights down there?'"

It's the first time he acknowledges Beneatha's dream of being a doctor.

What impractical item did Ruth buy for the new house?

Curtains for the windows

Which character says, "What's the matter, Daddy. You drunk?"

Travis

What job does Travis aspire to have when he is older? Why?

Bus driver; he wants to follow in his dad's footsteps (Walter is a chauffeur).

Who is the speaker and recipient of the following quote: "I ain't never stop trusting you. Like I ain't never stop loving you."

Mama says this to Walter Lee.

What does Mama do with the $6500 remaining from her husband's life insurance?

She give it to Walter and trusts him to put it in the bank.

How does Mama divide up the remaining $6500 from the life insurance check?

$3000 will go to Beneatha's medical school costs; $3500 will be put into a bank account in Walter's name.

Explain the significance of the following quote, and identify the speaker and recipient: "What you ain't never understood is that I ain't got nothing, don't own nothing, ain't never really wanted nothing that wasn't for you. There ain't nothing as precious to me... There ain't nothing worth holding on to, money, dreams, nothing else - if it mean - if itmeans it's going to destroy my boy."

Mama says this to Walter before she trusts him with the insurance money; she's saying that everything else in life is meaningless to her if Walter is miserable (so, she trusts him with the money).

Who calls the Youngers to inform them that Walter hasn't shown up for work for the past three days?

Mrs. Arnold

Where did Walter go for the three days that he skipped work? →

Day 1 - He went for a drive (and sat and stared at the saw mils)

Day 2 - He borrowed Willy's car again and drove the other way, to Wisconsin to look at the farms

Day 3 - He just walked all over the Southside of Chicago.

On all three days, Walter goes to a local bar called...

Green Hat

Which character "decided long ago to be enthusiastic about EVERYTHING in life"?

Mrs. Johnson

Who says, "I bet this time next month y'all's names will have been in the papers plenty - "NEGROES INVADE CLYBOURNE PARK - BOMBED!"?

Mrs. Johnson

What's the significance of Mama telling Beneatha, "Well—I guess you better not waste your time with no fools."

Beneatha has just told her that George Murchison is a fool, and this is Mama's way of showing support for her daughter.

What argument do George and Beneatha have when they return from a night out together?

George doesn't want Beneatha to talk anymore. He thinks women should be seen and not heard, and Beneatha wants to express herself and discuss important matters of life and society.

Who says, "It's simple. You read books—to learn facts—to get grades—to pass the course—to get a degree. That's all - it has nothing to do with thoughts"?

George Murchison

At the beginning of Act Two, Beneatha emerges wearing the robed costume that Joseph Asagai gave her. Explain what events transpire after Ruth sees her.

She breaks into a tribal African dance and begins chanting, and then Walter enters (drunk) and joins the fracas. Before long, they are both chanting and dancing wildly

Who says, "In my heart of hearts - I am much warrior"?

Walter

Who responds by saying, "In my heart of hearts you are much drunkard"?

Ruth

How does Ruth react when Beneatha and Walter are enacting their tribal scene?

Indifferently; she thinks they look ridiculous, and she continues to iron clothes.

Who says," That's my man, Kenyatta. FLAMING SPEAR! HOT DAMN!"

Walter

What has Beneatha done in an attempt to express herself and embrace her African heritage?

She cuts her hair off.

Who says, "Let's face it, baby, your heritage is nothing but a bunch of raggedy-assed spirituals and some grass huts!"?

George Murchison

Who says, "Man, I'm a volcano. Bitter? Here I am a giant - surrounded by ants! Ants who can't even understand what it is the giant is talking about."

Walter

What name from Greek mythology does George call Walter when he departs with Beneatha?

Prometheus

What is the significance of Ruth asking Walter, "What else can I give you, Walter Lee Younger? "

She has sacrificed her life for him and does everything in her power to make him happy, but no matter how hard she tries, Walter remains miserable and bitter towards her.

Mama says in Act Two, Scene One that she had "some business to tend to." What business is she referring to?

She bought a new house for the family.

Where is the new house located? What's significant about this area?

Clybourne Park; it's an exclusively white town.

How many hours after the conclusion of Act Two does Act Three take place?

One

Walter says he "made a call" in Act Three... to whom?

Mr. Lindner

What does the "movement" and "progress" associated with moving make Asagai think of?

Africa

Who says of Walter: "That is not a man. That is nothing but a toothless rat."

Beneatha

What proposal does Joseph Asagai make to Beneatha in Act Three?

To marry him AND to go to Africa with him

Who is described in Act Three as "lost, vague, trying to catch hold, to make some sense of her former command of the world..."

Mama

Who says: "Mama, you know it's all divided up. Life is. Sure enough. Between the takers and the "tooken."

Walter

Who says: "Sometimes you just got to know when to give up some things... and hold on to what you got..."

Mama

Who says: "Just sit awhile and think... Never be afraid to sit awhile and think."

Joseph Asagai

Who says: "Me? Me? Me, I'm nothing."

Beneatha

What is Beneatha surrounded by when she is sitting at the table at the beginning of Act Three?

Moving boxes

What, to Beneatha, was "the most marvelous thing in the world" and the equivalent of "truly being God"?

The ability to fix people and make them feel better

Who says to Walter, "I look at you and I see the final triumph of stupidity in the world!" Who do they say this to?

Beneatha

Who in the Younger family is initially in favor of taking Lindner's deal, and who isn't?

Walter is the only one who wants to take Mr. Lindner's deal. He later changes his mind.

What is Walter's reaction when Beneatha says that Asagai asked her to marry him and go to Africa with him?

He makes fun of her and tells her to marry a rich man.

Why does Mama say to Walter Lee, "You making something inside me cry, son. Some awful pain inside me"?

Walter is planning to accept Mr. Lindner's deal.

Why, according to Walter, do people like the Youngers get "tooken?"

They are too nice and too concerned with morals.

What is Asagai's response to Beneatha saying, "people went out and took the future out of my hands?"

He asks her if the money was hers to begin with, and then he asks, "Then isn't there something wrong in a house - in a world - where all dreams, good or bad, must depend on the death of a man? "

Why does Mama make Travis stay in the room when Walter is negotiating with Mr. Lindner?

She wants Walter to teach his son right, and she also wants Walter to show him how to be a "man". Secretly, she wants the presence of Travis to have an effect on Walter (so that he doesn't agree to the deal).

Why does Mama get mad at Beneatha after Walter storms out of the room in Act Three?

Walter is still Beneatha's brother and Mama believes that you should always love your family members... especially when they are going through difficult times.

Why does Mama tell Ruth that Walter "finally come into his manhood today, didn't he?"

Walter refused Mr. Lindner's deal, keeping his integrity and dignity intact.

Explain Mama's last action in the play. What does she do? Why is it significant?

She goes back into the apartment and grabs her plant, which she will bring to the new house. This is significant because it represents how she is still keeping her family's dreams alive and carrying them to their new life in Clybourne Park.

Who is the protagonist of A Raisin in the Sun?

There are two possible answers to this questions; either Walter or Mama could be considered the protagonist of the play because they are the most active characters, and they make the most important decisions in the play.

Who is the author of A Raisin in the Sun?

Lorraine Hansberry

In what city do the Youngers live?

Chicago

In what decade is A Raisin in the Sun set?

1950s

Name the six members of the Younger family?

Walter, Ruth, Beneatha, Travis, Lena (Mama), and Big Walter

What is Walter Lee's job?

Chauffeur

Where does Travis sleep every night?

In a cot in the living room

What is the Younger family eagerly awaiting in Act One?

A $10,000 life insurance check

Who is receiving the life insurance check? Why is she getting it?

Mama. She's getting the check as a result of her husband, Big Walter's, death

What does Walter Lee Younger want to do with the money from the life insurance check?

Invest it in a liquor store

What does Beneatha want to do with the money from the check?

She wants to go to medical school.

11) What is the name of the rich African-American boy who is courting Beneatha?

George Murchison

12) What is the name of the sophisticated African boy who is courting Beneatha?

Joseph Asagai

What is Asagai's nickname for Beneatha?

Alaiyo

14) What does the nickname "Alaiyo" mean?

"One for Whom Bread (or Food) is Not Enough"

What are the names of the two "good for nothing clowns" with whom Walter Lee is planning to invest in a liquor store)?

Willy Harris and Bobo

What is the Youngers' daily problem every morning?

Getting access to the community bathroom in their apartment complex

This character tends a shriveled raisin plant

Mama

The shriveled raisin plant is a symbol that represents...

The Youngers' dreams (which are dried up but not quite dead)

Mama's real first name is...

Lena

Mama's maiden name (last name before she was married) was...

Eggleston

Why does Mama slap Beneatha in Act One?

Beneatha says there's no such thing as God

Why does Ruth pass out in Act One?

She passes out as a result of her pregnancy.

What does Travis come across while he is playing outside in Act One?

A rat

Who tells Walter that Ruth is pregnant?

Mama

Why is it significant that Ruth visited a female doctor?

Her usual doctor is a man, so Mama realizes that she would be going to a female doctor because she's thinking about getting an abortion.

What is the name of the "good-for-nothing loudmouth" who went into the dry cleaning business and is now "grossing a hundred thousand [dollars] a year"?

Charlie Atkins

What are the ages of the following characters: Ruth, Walter, and Beneatha?

Ruth = about 30, Walter = mid-30s, Beneatha =20

Mama listens to which member of the family most?

Ruth

31) Walter says, "Baby, don't nothing happen for you in this world 'less... ' _______________?

you pay somebody off

To Walter, the eggs that Ruth offers represent...

The monotony of every day/the futility of dreams

Who says, "Honey, you never say nothing new. I listen to you every day, every night and every morning, and you never say nothing new."

Ruth

35) This is the name of Walter Lee's boss?

Mr. Arnold

Beneatha is taking ___________ lessons, much to the chagrin of her family members?

Guitar

Beneatha says, "People have to ___________________ themselves one way or another."

express

When Walter comes in, what does Mama try to tell him... and what does he want to talk about?

She wants to tell him about Ruth being pregnant. He only cares about money/the check.