Comprehensive Literature Study Guide: The Great Gatsby, Raisin in the Sun, and House on Mango Street

Who is the narrator of The Great Gatsby?

Nick Carraway

What is Daisy Buchanan's relationship to Nick?

She is Nick's cousin.

What is Tom Buchanan's character like?

He is wealthy, arrogant, aggressive, controlling, and unfaithful.

Who is Jordan Baker?

A professional golfer and Daisy's friend, who is confident and romantically involved with Nick.

What is Jay Gatsby known for?

He is a mysterious millionaire known for his extravagant parties.

What does Myrtle Wilson represent?

She is Tom Buchanan's mistress who longs for wealth and a better life.

Who is George Wilson?

Myrtle's husband who owns a garage in the Valley of Ashes.

What does Meyer Wolfsheim do?

He is Gatsby's business associate connected to organized crime.

What do the eyes of Dr. T.J. Eckleburg represent?

They symbolize the moral decay of society.

What does Gatsby reach for at the end of Chapter 1?

A distant green light across the water, symbolizing his hope for Daisy.

What is the Valley of Ashes?

A poor area between East Egg and West Egg.

What does Myrtle do when she arrives in New York?

She buys a puppy.

What happens at Gatsby's parties?

They are extravagant and no one is really invited.

What does Gatsby tell Nick about his past?

He claims to come from a wealthy family, is Oxford educated, and a war hero.

What does Gatsby ask Nick to do for him?

Invite Daisy for tea to help reunite them.

What is Daisy's reaction to Gatsby's party?

She doesn't like it.

What does Gatsby want to recreate?

He wants to recreate the past with Daisy.

What happens to Myrtle?

She dies after getting hit by a car.

What is Nick's opinion of the characters in the novel?

He finds them annoying.

What does the green light symbolize for Gatsby?

Hope.

What does the novel end with?

The image of boats against the current, symbolizing the struggle to achieve dreams.

Who says, 'Can't repeat the past? Why, of course you can.'?

Gatsby.

What does Mr. Gatz think of his son Gatsby?

He thinks highly of him.

Who is the only other person to show up to Gatsby's funeral besides Mr. Gatz and Nick?

Owl-Eyes.

Who is Mama (Lena Younger)?

She dreams of a house and yard, buys a house, and is traditional.

What does Walter Lee Younger want?

He wants to be a man and dreams of owning a liquor store.

What is Ruth Younger's dream?

She dreams of stability for the family.

What does Beneatha Younger aspire to be?

She wants to be a doctor.

Who is Travis Younger?

He is Walter and Ruth's son, a minor character who inspires Walter.

What are George Murchison's characteristics?

He is rich, educated, upper-class, and has modern views.

Who is Joseph Asagai?

He is from Nigeria, Beneatha's lover, and offers hope to her.

What does Willy do?

He steals money from Walter and is a scammer.

What time period is the setting of A Raisin in the Sun?

The 1950s, between World War II and now.

Where is the setting of A Raisin in the Sun?

Chicago, specifically the south side.

What serious issues does A Raisin in the Sun discuss?

Racism, discrimination, segregation, money/poverty, dreams, and identity.

Who is the protagonist of the play?

Walter Lee Younger.

What poem does the title of the play allude to?

It alludes to the poem 'Harlem' by Langston Hughes.

What does it mean to have 'a dream deferred'?

A dream that is pushed away, ignored, or unfulfilled.

How does the poem relate to the play?

It shows how 'deferred dreams' affect each family member emotionally and influence their choices.

What does the house symbolize?

Hope for a better situation for the family.

What does Mama's plant symbolize?

Hope for the growth of the Younger family.

What does the check symbolize?

Hope for the fulfillment of their dreams.

What is the theme of the value of dreams?

Their dreams motivate them but create conflict due to differing goals.

What does the theme of dreams deferred illustrate?

Deferred dreams create tension, arguments, and disappointment within the family.

What does racial discrimination theme highlight?

Racism makes it difficult for them to achieve financial stability and move into a better neighborhood.

What does the Civil Rights theme represent?

Standing up against segregation and injustice.

What does the American Dream theme push the family to do?

It pushes them to make sacrifices and difficult choices.

What does the theme of defiance and strength signify?

Their strength helps the family stay united and proud despite struggles.

What does the theme of family emphasize?

Despite arguments and struggles, the family ultimately chooses unity and support.

What does the Younger's apartment setting convey?

It is small, worn, and overcrowded.

How do Walter and Ruth react to Travis asking for money?

Walter is idealistic and risky, while Ruth is practical and cautious.

What does Walter believe about how women should treat men?

Women should support their men without questioning them.

What is Ruth considering in Act I, Scene II?

She is considering an abortion because she cannot afford another child.

What gifts does Asagai bring for Beneatha?

Dresses and an African music record.

What is the worth of the insurance check?

$10,000.

How does Walter show insensitivity regarding money?

He focuses only on his dreams, ignoring family struggles.

What does Mama reveal to Walter at the end of Act I, Scene II?

Ruth is pregnant, and she tells Walter to be a man.

What does Africa represent to Beneatha?

Her heritage and identity.

Why does Beneatha object to being called an assimilationist?

She wants to embrace her cultural roots.

What does Mama mean by 'once upon a time freedom used to be life-now it's money'?

In the past, freedom meant basic human rights; now success is measured by wealth.

Why is Mama disgusted with Walter at the end of Act I?

Walter becomes obsessed with money and loses sight of family values.

How does George Murchison change the mood of the scene?

He dismisses Beneatha's interests, creating tension.

What news does Mama break to the family in Act II, Scene I?

She bought a house.

How do Ruth and Walter react to Mama's news?

Ruth is relieved and happy, Walter is angry.

Why do Walter and Beneatha become caught up in their African masquerade?

They feel proud of their heritage.

What sort of woman does George want Beneatha to be?

Simple, sophisticated, and nice.

Why does Beneatha thank her mother?

For understanding that money can't bring fulfillment.

How does Ruth find out Walter has not been to work?

Mrs. Arnold calls her.

What has Walter been doing instead of going to work?

He goes out to the bar and drinks.

How does Walter act before Mama gives him the money?

He becomes confident, excited, and hopeful.

What does Walter's desire to hand Travis the world signify?

His love and ambition.

Why does Mr. Lindner come to the Younger's apartment?

To stop them from moving into the neighborhood.

Why don't the residents of Clybourne Park want the Youngers to move there?

Because they are black.

How does Walter react to Lindner's offer?

He kicks him out and rejects the offer.

What role does Mrs. Johnson play in the Younger family?

She acts as a foil to the family's hopes.

What gifts does the family give Mama?

A gardening hat and garden tools.

What news about the liquor license does Walter receive?

He realizes he has failed and ruined his family's future.

Why does Mama put her plant back on the windowsill?

To symbolize hope and care for the family.

What symbolizes Mama's continued hope for the family's future?

Her plant on the windowsill.

What does Walter say he has done when he arrives back home?

He plans to take the money and not move into the new house.

What does Mama mean when she tells Walter that if he takes Lindner's money he will have nothing left inside?

He will lose pride and dignity.

What does Walter tell Lindner?

The family will move into the house anyway.

Why does Lindner appeal to Mama?

He sees her as the family authority.

What is Mama's response to Lindner?

She indirectly refuses, showing trust in Walter.

What does Mama's return to the empty apartment to grab her plant represent?

Hope matters most, even in an empty apartment.

How does the loss of the money affect Walter, Beneatha, and Mama?

Walter is frantic, Beneatha feels lost and bitter, Mama is disappointed.

What is significant about Asagai's proposal of marriage to Beneatha?

It allows her to make a difference and fulfill her identity.

Why does Walter decide to accept Lindner's offer?

He thinks money will fix their problems.

What causes Walter to finally reject Lindner's offer?

Travis inspires him to be a model man.

How have the Youngers changed by the end of the play?

They remain in poverty but their dreams persist.

How was the house on Mango Street different from the other houses the family had lived in?

They actually own the house; it's theirs.

Describe the house on Mango Street.

Small, red, tight steps, small windows.

Why does the narrator say Nenny is not her friend?

Nenny is too young.

What does the narrator want to have someday?

Her own best friend.

What is the narrator's name and what does it mean?

Esperanza; it means 'hope' and 'too many letters'.

What did Esperanza buy and how did she go about buying it?

A bike.

What did the girls discover in the furniture store that made Esperanza feel stupid?

A music box.

What is special about the tree in Meme's yard?

Meme broke both his arms jumping out of it.

What happened when Louie's other cousin visited?

They stole a Cadillac, took a joyride, and got arrested.

Where is Marin going in a year and why?

Back to Puerto Rico to be with her boyfriend.