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

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Last updated 12:23 PM on 5/20/26
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127 Terms

1
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Who is the narrator of The Great Gatsby?

Nick Carraway

2
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What is Daisy Buchanan's relationship to Nick?

She is Nick's cousin.

3
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What is Tom Buchanan's character like?

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

4
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Who is Jordan Baker?

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

5
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What is Jay Gatsby known for?

He is a mysterious millionaire known for his extravagant parties.

6
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What does Myrtle Wilson represent?

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

7
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Who is George Wilson?

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

8
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What does Meyer Wolfsheim do?

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

9
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What do the eyes of Dr. T.J. Eckleburg represent?

They symbolize the moral decay of society.

10
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What does Gatsby reach for at the end of Chapter 1?

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

11
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What is the Valley of Ashes?

A poor area between East Egg and West Egg.

12
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What does Myrtle do when she arrives in New York?

She buys a puppy.

13
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What happens at Gatsby's parties?

They are extravagant and no one is really invited.

14
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What does Gatsby tell Nick about his past?

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

15
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What does Gatsby ask Nick to do for him?

Invite Daisy for tea to help reunite them.

16
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What is Daisy's reaction to Gatsby's party?

She doesn't like it.

17
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What does Gatsby want to recreate?

He wants to recreate the past with Daisy.

18
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What happens to Myrtle?

She dies after getting hit by a car.

19
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What is Nick's opinion of the characters in the novel?

He finds them annoying.

20
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What does the green light symbolize for Gatsby?

Hope.

21
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What does the novel end with?

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

22
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Who says, 'Can't repeat the past? Why, of course you can.'?

Gatsby.

23
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What does Mr. Gatz think of his son Gatsby?

He thinks highly of him.

24
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Who is the only other person to show up to Gatsby's funeral besides Mr. Gatz and Nick?

Owl-Eyes.

25
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Who is Mama (Lena Younger)?

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

26
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What does Walter Lee Younger want?

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

27
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What is Ruth Younger's dream?

She dreams of stability for the family.

28
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What does Beneatha Younger aspire to be?

She wants to be a doctor.

29
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Who is Travis Younger?

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

30
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What are George Murchison's characteristics?

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

31
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Who is Joseph Asagai?

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

32
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What does Willy do?

He steals money from Walter and is a scammer.

33
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What time period is the setting of A Raisin in the Sun?

The 1950s, between World War II and now.

34
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Where is the setting of A Raisin in the Sun?

Chicago, specifically the south side.

35
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What serious issues does A Raisin in the Sun discuss?

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

36
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Who is the protagonist of the play?

Walter Lee Younger.

37
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What poem does the title of the play allude to?

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

38
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What does it mean to have 'a dream deferred'?

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

39
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How does the poem relate to the play?

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

40
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What does the house symbolize?

Hope for a better situation for the family.

41
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What does Mama's plant symbolize?

Hope for the growth of the Younger family.

42
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What does the check symbolize?

Hope for the fulfillment of their dreams.

43
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What is the theme of the value of dreams?

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

44
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What does the theme of dreams deferred illustrate?

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

45
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What does racial discrimination theme highlight?

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

46
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What does the Civil Rights theme represent?

Standing up against segregation and injustice.

47
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What does the American Dream theme push the family to do?

It pushes them to make sacrifices and difficult choices.

48
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What does the theme of defiance and strength signify?

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

49
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What does the theme of family emphasize?

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

50
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What does the Younger's apartment setting convey?

It is small, worn, and overcrowded.

51
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How do Walter and Ruth react to Travis asking for money?

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

52
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What does Walter believe about how women should treat men?

Women should support their men without questioning them.

53
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What is Ruth considering in Act I, Scene II?

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

54
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What gifts does Asagai bring for Beneatha?

Dresses and an African music record.

55
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What is the worth of the insurance check?

$10,000.

56
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How does Walter show insensitivity regarding money?

He focuses only on his dreams, ignoring family struggles.

57
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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.

58
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What does Africa represent to Beneatha?

Her heritage and identity.

59
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Why does Beneatha object to being called an assimilationist?

She wants to embrace her cultural roots.

60
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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.

61
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Why is Mama disgusted with Walter at the end of Act I?

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

62
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How does George Murchison change the mood of the scene?

He dismisses Beneatha's interests, creating tension.

63
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What news does Mama break to the family in Act II, Scene I?

She bought a house.

64
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How do Ruth and Walter react to Mama's news?

Ruth is relieved and happy, Walter is angry.

65
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Why do Walter and Beneatha become caught up in their African masquerade?

They feel proud of their heritage.

66
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What sort of woman does George want Beneatha to be?

Simple, sophisticated, and nice.

67
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Why does Beneatha thank her mother?

For understanding that money can't bring fulfillment.

68
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How does Ruth find out Walter has not been to work?

Mrs. Arnold calls her.

69
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What has Walter been doing instead of going to work?

He goes out to the bar and drinks.

70
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How does Walter act before Mama gives him the money?

He becomes confident, excited, and hopeful.

71
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What does Walter's desire to hand Travis the world signify?

His love and ambition.

72
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Why does Mr. Lindner come to the Younger's apartment?

To stop them from moving into the neighborhood.

73
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Why don't the residents of Clybourne Park want the Youngers to move there?

Because they are black.

74
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How does Walter react to Lindner's offer?

He kicks him out and rejects the offer.

75
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What role does Mrs. Johnson play in the Younger family?

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

76
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What gifts does the family give Mama?

A gardening hat and garden tools.

77
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What news about the liquor license does Walter receive?

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

78
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Why does Mama put her plant back on the windowsill?

To symbolize hope and care for the family.

79
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What symbolizes Mama's continued hope for the family's future?

Her plant on the windowsill.

80
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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.

81
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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.

82
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What does Walter tell Lindner?

The family will move into the house anyway.

83
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Why does Lindner appeal to Mama?

He sees her as the family authority.

84
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What is Mama's response to Lindner?

She indirectly refuses, showing trust in Walter.

85
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What does Mama's return to the empty apartment to grab her plant represent?

Hope matters most, even in an empty apartment.

86
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How does the loss of the money affect Walter, Beneatha, and Mama?

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

87
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What is significant about Asagai's proposal of marriage to Beneatha?

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

88
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Why does Walter decide to accept Lindner's offer?

He thinks money will fix their problems.

89
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What causes Walter to finally reject Lindner's offer?

Travis inspires him to be a model man.

90
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How have the Youngers changed by the end of the play?

They remain in poverty but their dreams persist.

91
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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.

92
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Describe the house on Mango Street.

Small, red, tight steps, small windows.

93
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Why does the narrator say Nenny is not her friend?

Nenny is too young.

94
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What does the narrator want to have someday?

Her own best friend.

95
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What is the narrator's name and what does it mean?

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

96
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What did Esperanza buy and how did she go about buying it?

A bike.

97
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What did the girls discover in the furniture store that made Esperanza feel stupid?

A music box.

98
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What is special about the tree in Meme's yard?

Meme broke both his arms jumping out of it.

99
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What happened when Louie's other cousin visited?

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

100
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Where is Marin going in a year and why?

Back to Puerto Rico to be with her boyfriend.