A Raisin in the Sun Study Set

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Questions and Answers

When and where does the play take place?

In the 1950s, Chicago

Describe the Younger's apartment.

Visually, the apartment reflects the family's spiritual exhaustion.

What is the major conflict of the play?

The Younger family is receiving a life insurance check of ten thousand dollars after Big Walter, Lena Walter's husband, dies.

Describe Lena Walter (Mama).

Walter and Beneatha's mother, she is religious, moral, and maternal. Signup and view all the answers

Describe Walter Younger.

Walter is a dreamer who wants to be rich and devises plans to acquire wealth. Signup and view all the answers

Describe Beneatha Younger.

Beneatha is twenty years old, attends college, and dreams of being a doctor. Signup and view all the answers

Describe Ruth Younger.

Ruth is Walter's wife, who takes care of their small apartment and deals with poverty. Signup and view all the answers

Describe Travis Younger.

Travis is Walter and Ruth's young son who earns money by carrying grocery bags. Signup and view all the answers

Describe Joseph Asagai.

Asagai is a Nigerian student courting Beneatha, proud of his African heritage. Signup and view all the answers

Describe George Murchison.

George is a wealthy African-American man courting Beneatha. Signup and view all the answers

Describe Karl Lindner.

Mr. Lindner is the only white character in the play and offers the Youngers a deal. Signup and view all the answers

What do the symbols of eggs and coffee represent?

They symbolize acceptance of adversity and different approaches to support. Signup and view all the answers

What does money symbolize in the play?

Money represents the characters' ability to achieve their dreams. Signup and view all the answers

What does Mama's plant symbolize?

Mama's plant represents her care for her family and her dream for them. Signup and view all the answers

What does Beneatha's hair symbolize?

Her new afro represents embracing her heritage and identity. Signup and view all the answers

What is the theme topic regarding family?

The Youngers struggle socially and economically but unite to realize their dream of buying a house. Signup and view all the answers

What is the theme of controlling one's destiny?

It relates to attaining individual dreams within the family context. Signup and view all the answers

What conflicts do gender and feminism present in the play?

Beneatha's desire to be a doctor challenges traditional gender roles. Signup and view all the answers

What are the dreams of the main characters and how are they deferred?

Mama dreams of a house, Ruth dreams of a happy family, and Walter dreams of wealth. Signup and view all the answers

How does the description of the Youngers' apartment contribute to the mood of the play?

The small, confining apartment creates a sense of entrapment and reflects the family's struggles. Signup and view all the answers

What is Ruth's major conflict in the play?

Ruth discovers she is pregnant and must decide what to do about it. Signup and view all the answers

What happens to the $6,500 Mama entrusts to Walter?

Mama expected Walter to put aside some of the money for Beneatha and manage the rest. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Setting

The play is set in the 1950s in Chicago's South Side.
Takes place in a cramped apartment reflecting the racial segregation of the time, often referred to as the Black Belt.

Younger Family Apartment

The apartment symbolizes the family's spiritual exhaustion and weariness.
The furnishings indicate long-term accommodation for too many residents over many years.

Major Conflict

The Younger family awaits a $10,000 life insurance check following the death of Big Walter.

Characters

Lena Walter (Mama): The religious matriarch aiming to use the insurance money for a new house, symbolizing her aspirations for the family.
Walter Younger: A dreamer focused on wealth and success, plans to invest in a liquor store with the life insurance money.
Beneatha Younger: An educated college student aspiring to become a doctor, exploring her identity as a Black woman.
Ruth Younger: Walter's pragmatic wife who maintains the household and struggles with the realities of poverty.
Travis Younger: The Youngers' young son, represents innocence amid family struggles.
Joseph Asagai: A Nigerian suitor of Beneatha, proud of his African heritage.
George Murchison: A wealthy African-American who courts Beneatha but embodies assimilationist views.
Karl Lindner: The sole white character, offers the Youngers a controversial deal reflecting segregationist attitudes.

Symbols

Eggs: For Walter, represent stagnation. Ruth’s cooking is a metaphor for her conditional support.
Money: Represents opportunity and the differing dreams of family members, central to the conflict.
Mama's Plant: Symbolizes Mama's nurturing spirit and her unyielding hope for a better future.
Beneatha's Hair: Marks her rejection of societal standards and embrace of her heritage, reflecting a broader cultural statement.

Themes

Family: Despite struggles, the Youngers unite to pursue their dreams; emphasis on familial bonds.
Controlling One's Destiny: Achieving dreams is a major concern; personal dreams often conflict and require compromise.
Gender and Feminism: Beneatha's aspiration against the norm reflects feminist themes; challenges Walter's traditional notions of gender roles.
Race and Assimilation: Highlights racial tensions and discrimination, especially through Mr. Lindner's character; explores identity clash through Beneatha's relationships with Asagai and George.

Key Quotations & Their Themes

Beneatha's plea ties to controlling one’s destiny, showcasing her desperation for autonomy.
Mama’s reflections emphasize family values amidst dreams and hardships.
Ruth's dialogue reflects the struggle for a better life and dreams slipping away.
Walter’s outburst symbolizes familial strife, showcasing the impact of financial loss on personal relationships.

Dreams and Their Deferred Nature

Mama dreams of a house for her family, indicating long-standing obstacles due to financial constraints.
Ruth seeks a stable and happy family environment but faces challenges due to poverty.
Walter dreams of wealth to provide for his family, a pursuit constantly thwarted by economic hardship.
Each character's dreams reflect personal desires intertwined with the overarching challenges of their social reality.

Importance of the Apartment

The confined living space amplifies feelings of entrapment and frustration.
Lack of natural light serves as a metaphor for deferred dreams, while the aging furniture reflects the family’s struggles and tiredness.

Ruth's Major Conflict

Ruth faces a dilemma upon discovering her pregnancy, questioning the viability of increasing the family size amidst poverty.

Loss of Money

Walter's decision to invest Mama's $6,500 leads to a devastating loss, representing not just financial ruin but the shattering of dreams linked to Big Walter's legacy.

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Description

Explore the key details and themes of 'A Raisin in the Sun' with this study set. Understand the historical context, including the time and place of the play's setting in 1950s Chicago. Test your knowledge and gain deeper insights into the characters and their struggles.