Mama slaps Bennie because she shows a lack of respect for Mama and her values. She desires to pursue her own ambitions at the expense of the family’s well-being.

Inferential questions- Add what you know to what’s in the text in order to answer the questions.

What is Walter’s Dream?

Walter’s dream is to achieve financial independence and improve the quality of life for his family. He aspires to invest in a liquor store with friends, which he believes will provide him with respect and a sense of purpose.

What is Mama’s Dream?

Mama’s Dream is to provide a better life for her family, and secure a real home that can represent stability. She wishes to use the check to buy a house with a yad where her family can thrive and live in a nurturing environment

Describe the mood at the end of the scene

The mood at the end of the scene is tense and filled with frustration. The characters are grappling with their dreams and desires, which leads to conflict within the family. Walter’s ambitions clash with Mama’s, and this shows what could happen later on in the story.

Act 1 Scene 2:

Who is Joseph Asagai

Joseph Asagai is a Nigerian Student, and has interest in Beneatha Younger. He represents african culture and heritage. Asagai challenges Beneatha to embrace her roots and encourages her to consider who she is more deeply.

Why is Beneatha pleased with the robes Asagai brings her?

She is pleased because they symbolize her African heritage and identity. Asagai’s gift represents his connection to his roots, and encourages Beneatha to explore and embrace her own cultural background

How does Asagai react?

He is delighted by her appreciation and sees it as a positive step towards her understanding of her identity, reinforcing his belief that embracing her heritage can lead to personal growth.

Why doesn’t Mama want her son to run a liquor store?

Mama doesn’t want Walter to run a liquor store because she feels that it goes against their values and morals. She thinks that investing in a buisness that involves alcohol would not be positive for the family. She wants her kids to achieve their dreams through honorable means.

What is Walter’s reaction to Mama’s refusal to invest in a liquor store?

Walter is frustrated, confused and angry, and he believes that Mama does not understand his dreams and aspirations for their family’s future.

Who functions as the head of the household, and why do you say that?

I think that Mama functions as the head of the household because she makes most of the decisions and everyone listens to her and they don’t argue about her decisions usually.

Inferential Questions:

What seems to be the most important thing in the world to Walter?

The most important thing in the world to walter is obviously money. He desperately wants to provide for his family, and he tries his hardest to achieve his dreams and aspirations.

Explain Mama’s statement “You are a disgrace to your father’s memory”

Mama saying this shows that she has a very deep disapproval to invest into a liquor store. She believes that Walter is dishonoring the legacy and values of his father, who had strong moral principles. She feels that a liquor store is not an honorable way to make money.

What Connections to “The American Dream” or dreams in general, do you see in this scene?

In this scene. I see that Walter desperately wants to achieve his dreams and goals, and will set out and do whatever it takes to provide for his family and have his dream life. However, Mama’s perspective highlights the conflict between personal ambition and familial values, suggesting that the pursuit of the American Dream can sometimes lead to moral dilemmas that challenge one's integrity and the legacy of loved ones.

Act 2

Vocab:

Amiably- good naturedly
Deplore- to despise; have utter disgust for
Dumbfounded- confused and surprised briefly
Eccentric- odd; different from the norm
Exuberant- high level of joy
Gall- nerve; insolence
Imploring- begging; pleading
Ludicrous- amusing or laughable through obvious absurdity
Plaintively- sorrowfully
Presumably- probably; reasonable supposed
Primly- excessive propper
Promenade- to slowly walk in measured steps as if on display
Rebuff- to refuse
Strident- loud; irritating, high-pitched
Undaunted- not discouraged

Reading Questions:

Act 2 Scene 1:

Literal Questions:

What is Beneatha’s definition of assimilation?

Beneatha’s definition of assimilation is “giving up ones own culture and identity to conform to the dominant (white) society”.

What has Mama done with part of the 10,000?

Mama has used part of the 10,000 dollars for buying a house in the Clybourne Park Neighborhood.

What Concerns Ruth about the house? What do you learn about Clyburne Park?

Ruth is concerned because there are no other Black families in Clybourne Park, which raises fears about racial discrimination and isolation in their new community. I learned that there are no White People in Clybourne Park, and that if they moved in, they would be the only black family in Clybourne Park.

What is Beneatha’s and Walter’s mood at the beginning of this scene? What do they do that makes you say this?

Beneatha and Walter are both very excited for the future. Beneatha is learning more about her culture, and Walter is happy because she is doing what George wants Beneatha to do, so Beneatha is getting closer to George so that she can marry George and Walter and the Family are not going to be poor anymore. They are dancing and jumping on tables, and setting the stage for an African Dance.

Explain George’s comment: “We’re going to the theatre- we’re not going to be in it”

George walked in on Beneatha’s “cultural outfit”. He told her to change her clothes. This made Beneatha confused because George has always told Beneatha to embrace her culture.

Why does Walter feel useless?

Walter feels useless because no one supports him and his dream, and he feels that he doesn’t get enough attention. He wants to provide for his family, but he can’t without finding new things to do, which he cant afford to do.

What connections to “The American Dream” or dreams in general, do you see in this scene?

Mama Younger went out and follwed the American Dream by purchasing a house for their family. Another way that the American Dream has been connected is by Walter trying to do something new to earn money, and be relentless about everything he does. He works so hard to provide for his family.

Act 2 Scene 2:

Explain the Disagreement between Beneatha and George reguarding education.

Beneatha thinks that education is more than just learning about facts. George thinks that education has nothing to do with thoughts. They argue about the fact that learning is more than just thinking about things.

How much money does Mama entrust to Walter? What is he supposed to do with it?

Mama entrusts Walter to put $3,000 in Beneatha’s medical school acount. And then she told Walter to keep the rest of the money. She told Walter that he is allowed to do whatever he wants with the money. She told Walter that he is now the head of the family, and every decision they make comes from Walter.

What is the fantasy Walter describes to Travis?

Walter tells Travis that he is going to make a transaction that will change their lives forever. The transaction will make them rich. One day, he will be working in a large offiice. They will have a mansion and a black chrysler. He will let Travis decide whatever school he wants to go to. They will earn tons of moneey, and they will be set for life.

Act 2 Scene 2 Inferential Questions

Explain Walter’s attitude about his job.
Walter does not enjoy his job. He doesn’t like being a chauffer to rich people. He wants to be the rich person getting chauffered. He is very negative about his job and frequently says he dislikes it.
Beneatha says “Mama, if there are two things we as a people have got to overcome, one is the Ku Klux Klan- and the other is Mrs. Johnson, what does she mean?
Beneatha makes this remark to express her frustration with both overt racism and internalized opression within the black community.
1. The Ku Klux Klan (KKK)
  This represents the obvious, external racism and violence that African Americans face from white supremacist groups.
2. Mrs. Johnson
  She symbolizes a different kind of obstacle, the internalized limitations and complacency within the black community. Mrs. Johnson is a neighbor who discourages the Younger family from pursuing their dreams, particularly moving into a white neighborhood, by warning them about the dangers and difficulties they will face.
  Beneatha’s comment suggests that both external racism and internalized oppresion are barriers that Black people must overcome to progress.
3. What does it say about Mama’s character when she decides to use the rest of the money for what her childen want?
  This shows that Mama is very selfless and would rather she get one dream, and the rest of the kids can achieve whatever dreams that they want.
4. What connections to “The American Dream”, or dreams in general, do you see in this scene?
  1. Challenges in the American Dream- Beneatha’s remark highlghts the obstacles that African Americans face while striving for success and equity. The Ku Klux Klan represents systemic racism that actively works against Black progress, while Mrs. Johnson represents internalized doubt and societal pressure to conform. These barriers make it difficult for the Younger family- and black people in general to achieve their dreams.
  2. Contrasting Views on Dreams
    The Younger family is fighting for upward mobility, homeownership, and personal fufillment, key aspects of the American Dream, Mrs. Johnson, however, represents people who have given up on these aspirations or believe that dreaming too big is dangerous. She embodies a mindset that discourages ambition in favor of survival and acceptance of the status quo.
  3. Beneatha’s Personal Dreams
    Beneatha wants to break free from societal expectations and become a doctor, an ambitious goal for a Black woman in the 1950s. Her frustration with Mrs. Johnson reflects her belief that achieving dreams requires resisting both external oppresion and internalized doubt.
    Overall, this scene emphasizes the struggle between hope and discouragement in the pursuit of the American Dream, particularly for marginilized groups.

Act 2 Scene 3

Who is Mr. Lindner
Mr. Lindner is a member of the Clybourne Park Improvement Association. He says that the black people are not allowed to live in Clybourne Park.
How does the family respond to their offer?
The family tells Mr. Lindner that they are not interested and will still be moving into the house. This happens when Walter kicks Mr. Lindner out of their home.
1. Who is Bobo and what does he bring Walter?
  Bobo is one of Walter’s buisness partners. He brought Walter bad news. Willy, their buisness parter had run off with all of the money, including the money that was supposed to be put towards Beneatha’s medical school.
2. How does Mama react to Walter when she finds out what happened to the money?
  Mama beats Walter when she finds out what happened to the money.
  Inferential Questions
  1. How has Walter changed in the scene
    At the beginning of the scene, Walter was so happy, and cheerful because the money was still there. Now he is sad, and shocked that all of the money and their futures are gone.
  2. Describe the family’s reaction to Mr. Lindner’s offer/ How do you think you would have responded?
    I think that the family did what I would have done too. The family was mad and shocked that they were trying to kick them out of the community on the first day of being in Clybourne Park.
  3. Explain the significance of this line: “That money is made out of my father’s flesh” (128)
    Walter is talking abou the insurance check that he got after his father’s death. The money represents years of hard work, struggle and sacrifice that Big Walter endured to provide for his family. At this moment, Walter fully grasps the mistake that he has just made.
  4. What connections to “The American Dream” or dreams in general, do you see in this scene?
    That you always need to keep trying to provide, even after and during yo go through rough patches in your life.

Act 3

Literal Questions

What Childhood Memory does Beneatha share with Asagai?
Beneatha shares a Childhood Memory about when she wanted to become a doctor. She recalls an incident where a little boy in her neighborhood hurt himself badly, and she helped him by cleaning his wound. This moment made her feel powerful, like she had the ability to heal people, and it inspired her dream of becoming a doctor.
What Proposal does Asagai make to Beneatha?
Asagai proposes that Beneatha should return to Africa with him, suggesting that she could find her true identity and purpose there, away from the constraints and expectations of American society.
List the names Beneatha calls her brother
"Beneatha calls her brother Walter Lee, often using terms like 'mister' to highlight her disdain for his choices.
She also refers to him as 'Walter' when expressing her frustration with his lack of ambition.
Additionally, she sometimes calls him 'the man' to emphasize her perception of his arrogance.
Explain the difference of opinion between Ruth and Mama about what they should do next
In Act 3, there is a distinct difference of opinion between Ruth and Mama regarding their next steps after facing the challenges they endured. Mama is deeply rooted in her values and dreams of providing a stable and nurturing home for her family; she believes that sticking to their plans to move into the new house symbolizes hope and upward mobility. On the other hand, Ruth expresses more immediate concerns about financial stability and the practicality of their situation. She is worried about the potential challenges they may face in Clybourne Park, particularly with their identity as a Black family moving into a predominantly white neighborhood. Ruth's perspective reflects a more cautious approach, considering the emotional and practical implications of their dreams versus Mama's unwavering faith in the future they are trying to build.
Why does Walter call Mr. Lindner to the house?
Walter calls Mr. Lindner to the house because he is seeking financial support from the Clybourne Park Improvement Association in exchange for not moving into the neighborhood, reflecting his internal conflict between his aspirations and the harsh realities they face. This decision underscores Walter's desperation and the pressure he feels to provide for his family, highlighting the theme of sacrifice and the struggle for dignity in the face of systemic racism.
What does Walter ultimately decide to do?
Ultimately, Walter decides to reject Mr. Lindner's offer, choosing to uphold his family's dignity and pursue their dream of a better life, despite the risks involved.

Inferential Questions:

Do you agree with Asagai’s belief that money was not Beneatha’s to begin with?
I understand Asagai’s belief that the money wasn’t Beneatha’s to begin with, as it was originally intended for the whole family’s benefit, not for just her personal dreams. While Beneatha has her own ambitions, the money was part of a shared family sacrifice, and Asagai believes that prioritizing her personal goals over the family’s collective needs is selfish. However, Beneatha’s desire for independence and self-fufilment is also valid.
Walter claims he will feel fine about taking the money from Lindner, but do you believe this is how he really feels?
No, I don’t believe that Walter truly feels fine about taking the money from Lindner. Although he says he would be fine with it, deep down, he struggles with the shame of accepting the offer because it means betraying his family’s dignity and values. His initial willingness reflects his desperation, but his later rejection of the offer shows his internal conflict and desire for self-respect.
How has Walter “come into his manhood” in this scene?
Walter comes into his manhood by choosing to rejects Lindner’s offer, asserting his pride and responsibility as the head of the family. He realizes that true dignity and respect cannot be bought with money.
Do you believe that this is a happy ending? What are some of the challengees that the Youngers still face?
I do not believe that it is a perfect happy ending. I think that this is an okay ending for the book. I think that the family will still face significant challenges, such as financial instablity, racial prejudice in their new neighborhood, and how scary it will be to start fresh. However, moving into their noew house represents hope, resilience, and a comitmment to their dreams, even in the face of adversity. The challenges are far from over, but the ending symbolizes a step toward a better future.