Instructions:

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 speaker and 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:
o  What do you think of the character and his/her ambitions?
o  Given the historical/social context, is the aspiration or ambition realistic? Why/why
not?
o  What might be some obstacles for this character?
o  What might be some strengths that this character has that would help him/her
overcome any obstacles?
Walter Passage: Response to questions:
“That money belongs to Mama, Walter, and it’s ~All Walter ever thinks about is money and how
for her to decide how she wants to use it. I don’t he can use it.
care if she wants to buy a house or a rocket ship
or just nail it up somewhere and look at it. It’s
~No, because he wants the money to invest in a
hers. Not ours—hers.” ~Beneatha, page 40 liquor store, but he can’t get the money he
wants.
~Well his family of 5 is living in a 1-bedroom
apartment with an add on bedroom, they don’t
have the income and money for his goals.
~Walter is stubborn so he will not let this
ambition go for the death of him.

Mama Passage: Response to questions:

“My children and they tempers. Lord, if this little
old plant don’t get more sun than it’s been
getting it isn’t never going to see spring again.”
~Mama, page 43
“Been thinking that we maybe could meet the
notes on a little old two- story somewhere, with
a yard where Travis could play in the
summertime, if we use part of the insurance for
a down payment and everybody kind of pitch in.
I could maybe take on a little day work again,
few days a week” ~Mama, page 47
~Mama just wants the best for her family, she
wants to get out the apartment like she was told
by her husband.
~This is realistic because even though they don’t
have the money to fancy her kids, but she still
tries to make the best of everything.
~Everyone in the house is worrying about money
and/or is miserable about how they live.
~Mama is just a happy going lady who loves the
Lord and her family. She is always going to make
sure her children don’t worry about money and if
they are going to have food on the table the next
day.

Beneatha Passage: Response to questions:

“Who the hell told you you had to be a doctor? If
you so crazy ’bout messing ’round with sick
people—then go be a nurse like other women—
or just get married and be quiet...” ~Walter,
~Beneatha wants to go somewhere in life, she
doesn’t want to sit around and be a stay at home
mother and wife.
~This is realistic because she is already in medical

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 page 41 school, and she is set to the goal.
“Get over it? What are you talking about, Ruth?
Listen, I’m going to be a doctor. I’m not worried
~Nursing is more of a female job as a Doctor is
about who I’m going to marry yet—if I ever get more of a male job.
married.” ~Beneatha, page 51-52 ~
“Oh, I probably will ... but first I’m going to be a
doctor, and George, for one, still thinks that’s
pretty funny. I couldn’t be bothered with that. I
am going to be a doctor and everybody around
here better understand that!” ~Beneatha, page
52

Travis Passage: Response to questions:

“Could I maybe go carry some groceries in front
of the supermarket for a little while after school
then?” ~ Travis, page 32
Ruth Passage:
“” You tired, ain’t you? Tired of everything. Me,
the boy, the way we live—this beat-up hole—
everything. Ain’t you? So tired moaning and
groaning all the time, but you wouldn’t do
nothing to help, would you? You couldn’t be on
my side that long for nothing, could you?””
~Walter, page 35-36
“I can’t stay home. She’d be calling up the
agency and screaming at them, “My girl didn’t
come in today—send me somebody! My girl
didn’t come in!” Oh, she just have a fit...” ~Ruth,
page 46
“Yes, life can be a barrel of disappointments,
sometimes.” ~Ruth, page 48
~Travis knows his family is in need of money, so
he just wants to help his family.
~This is very realistic, as a 10-year-old most kids
don’t even try to help their family.
~His age is his main obstacles; he can’t get a real
job, but he tries to get money in the ways he can.
~He is understanding that his family is in need
Response to questions:
~Ruth just wants a life that every other wife and
mother want. She wants to be able to be a happy
family.
~Realistic because every family should be happy
and not have to worry about money and
everything.
~Her strength is loving people. She is a loving
person that just the love. She would never think
about getting out of the house because she
knows that the family needs her.

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