Questions for A Raisin in the Sun, Act One

1. Why does Walter ask Ruth what is wrong with her? How would you characterize
their marriage? (What is their marriage like?)

2. Why is Ruth upset when Walter gives Travis the money? What is his motivation
for doing so?

3. Who are Willy and Bobo? What is their connection to Walter’s ambition? What
is Ruth’s opinion of them?

4. Walter says: “Damn my eggs…damn all the eggs that ever was!” Why?

5. How would you characterize Beneatha’s relationship with Walter? Why do you
think that he is so resentful of her?
6. Why is Mama getting a check for $10,000? What plans does each member of
the family have for this check?

Mama: Walter:

Ruth: Beneatha:

Travis:

7. Why does Beneatha say that she would not marry George Murchison? Why does
this shock Mama and Ruth?

8. What is Beneatha’s attitude toward God? How does Mama react? What conflict
does this illustrate?

9. What happens to Ruth at the end of Scene One? What does she later find out?

Discussion / Essay

1) Analyze interactions between main and subordinate characters in a literary text

(e.g., internal and external conflicts, motivations, relationships, influences) and
explain the way those interactions affect the plot.
2) Determine characters' traits by what the characters say about themselves in
narration, dialogue, dramatic monologue, and soliloquy.