A Raisin in the Sun Evidence Retrieval Chart—Act I

1. For each of the characters listed, find at least one passage from the play in which this character’s
aspirations or ambitions are stated, referred to or shown. The speaker does not necessarily have to be the
same as the character. For instance, Walter might make a statement about his sister, Beneatha, and her
ambitions.
2. Make sure to note the page number on which the passage appears.
3. After copying the passage, write your own thoughts about the passage. Aim to address the following
issues in your response:
● What do you think of the character and his/her ambitions?
● Given the historical/social context, is the aspiration or ambition realistic? Why/why not?
● What might be some obstacles for this character?
● What might be some strengths that this character has that would help him/her overcome
any obstacles?

Passage Your Response

Walter “ Yeah. You see, this little liquor
store we got in mind cost seventy-five
thousand and we figured the initial
investment on the place be ‘bout thirty
thousand, see. That be ten thousand each.
Course, there's a couple of hundred you got
to pay so’s you don’t spend…”
Page: 33
I think the character has a good dream, that
might work. It is realistic since he has a friend
that did the same thing, but it depends on what
the demand of liquor was in that time and
area. An obstacle would be money, and
getting his license approved. Walter is very
enthusiastic that he can give a better life to his
family.

Mama- “We was going to set away, little by
little, don't you know, and buy a little place
out in Morgan Park. We had even picked
out the house, Looks right dumpy today.
But Lord, child, you should know all the
dreams I had 'bout buying that house and
fixing it up and making me a little garden
in the back--And didn't none of it happen,”
I think this character wanted a lot but couldn’t
do a lot about getting her dreams. I think it
wouldn't have been possible because her
husband died, and she didn’t have a job. Her
old age, and no job. She is strong willed, she
could probably still do a lot of things.

Page: 44

Beneatha- “ get over it?What are you I think she has good intentions. Considering
talking about, Ruth? Listen, i'm going to be the time it would be very hard for her to
a doctor.” become a doctor, because women only were
nurses, they were never anything more than a
Page: 50 nurse or a stay at home mother. Her obstacles
would be being a women, a different race, and

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 A Raisin in the Sun Evidence Retrieval Chart—Act I

not being able to afford med school. She is

very determined, and positive that she can
become a doctor.

Travis-“ I want to give that boy the world”- I think Travis is still young and doesn’t know
walter what he really wants to be in the future. Right
now he just wants to be like every other kid
on the block. Some obstacles that Travis has is
his family, everyone is so busy and tied up
Page:34 with work and shook that nobody really talks
to each other. I think Travis is headstrong and
will find a way to make his dream come true
whatever it may be.

Ruth- “Honey, you never say nothing I think that Ruth is very loyal and caring
new….. I would rather be living in towards her and her family. She wants to be
Buckingham Palace.” able to live in a house, with a nice yard and
food in the fridge. It is realistic for her and her
Page:34 family to get what they want, maybe not
immediately. An obstacle for Ruth is that she
is going to have a baby, but she wants to abort
it. I feel that Ruth is very capable of trying to
do what’s best, but I also think that killing her
not born child is not a good idea. For her, and
her family.

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