A Raisin in the Sun

Reading Guide Questions

Act I, Scene I

1. The stage directions say that the living room in the Younger apartment might be comfortable and
well-ordered, but ''weariness" has "won in this room." What physical details of the living room set show
these qualities? Lena has put covers on the couch which are even worn out. Putin tables and other items
over the worn parts of the carpet.

2. What details of the setting show that the apartment is crowded? Bennie and Lena share a bedroom.
Their bedroom is not even supposed to be a bedroom. Travis sleeps in the living room.

3. Walter's wife, Ruth, is described as a pretty "girl," who is changing into a "settled woman." What has
happened to change Ruth's beauty? Her face has started to change into a face of disappointment.

4. How does the apartment building itself create problems for the Younger family as they begin the day?
They only have one bathroom so they all have to use it around the same time and take turns.

5. When Walter comes into the living room, what thoughts are on his mind? What does he ask Ruth?
Walter is wondering and worried about when the checks are coming. He asks Ruth when the checks are
going to get there.

6. When is the check coming? They are supposed to be there by saturday.

7. Walter tells Ruth that she looks young this morning and calls her "baby." What do his remarks and
Ruth's responses reveal about their relationship? It reveals that their relationship is very playful.

8. When Walter's son, Travis, comes out of the bathroom, what does he ask? He also asks about when
the check is coming.

9. Walter and Ruth react differently when Travis asks for money for school. What are Walter's and Ruth's
attitudes about money? It seems that Walter and Ruth are very strict about money spent.
10. Ruth tells Walter she doesn't want to know what he has been thinking about Why? What has Walter
been thinking about?I think Ruth is mad that Walter gave Travis money and Walter was thinking about
how pleasant she is.

11. How does Walter think women should treat their men? He thinks Women should have respect for
their man and back them up on their decisions.

12. How does Ruth react to Walter's desire for her support? She says that he never says anything new
and he is always talking about the same things.

13. Describe the immediate exchange of words between Walter and his sister, Beneatha, when she
comes into the living room. Walter and his sister and very mean to each other like normal sibling.s

14. What are Beneatha's hopes for her own future? Why is Walter concerned about Beneatha's plans?
Bennie wants to be a doctor, but they are concerned about the cost of medical school.

15. What sacrifices does Walter say have been made for Beneatha's sake? How does Beneatha react
when she hears this? How does their conversation end? Walter says that Ruth has been cooking for
other families. Ruth is being sarcastic and she drops to her knees saying thank you to Ruth and Walter.
Walter leaves the house and takes money for a taxi.

16. Why does Walter return to the apartment? What does he do? Walter decides he wants to go
somewhere and comes back in to get money for a taxi.

17. How is Mama described in the stage directions? She is very strong built and sturdy. She has white
hair and is dark skin and her face is full of strength.

18. What does Mama retrieve when she opens the window? What is unique about this object? She gets
a pot, but it has a very small tiny plant inside of it.

19. How does Mama interfere in Ruth's life? Mama cleans a lot and is also like the big boss of the house.

20. In conversations with Ruth and Beneatha in this scene. Mama's values become more clear. How does
Mama feel about money? It seems Mama isn't really worried about money and how they spend it.
21. What kind of man was Big Walter? Why does Mama claim he worked himself to death? Big Walter
was a very hard working man and Mama thinks he worked too much and it got unbearable.

22. How much does Mama value religion? How does she react to Beneatha's denial of God? Mama is big
into religion and Christianity and Bennie does not really mind it that much.

23. Mama compares her plant to her children. How are the plant and the children alike? What does the
plant symbolize to Mama? Mama thinks that they are like the plant because neither of them get enough
light but still come out great and try their best. The plant symbolizes their spirit.

24. What does Mama ask Ruth to do at the end of this scene? What happens to Ruth? She asks Ruth why
she is not singing and looks over to see Ruth lying on the ground.