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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).
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Describe Walter Younger.
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Describe Beneatha Younger.
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Describe Ruth Younger.
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Describe Travis Younger.
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Describe Joseph Asagai.
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Describe George Murchison.
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Describe Karl Lindner.
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What do the symbols of eggs and coffee represent?
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What does money symbolize in the play?
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What does Mama's plant symbolize?
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What does Beneatha's hair symbolize?
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What is the theme topic regarding family?
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What is the theme of controlling one's destiny?
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What conflicts do gender and feminism present in the play?
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What are the dreams of the main characters and how are they deferred?
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How does the description of the Youngers' apartment contribute to the mood of the play?
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What is Ruth's major conflict in the play?
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What happens to the $6,500 Mama entrusts to Walter?
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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.