Ly Nguyen

Period 4
English 1H

Close reading/review questions for A Raisin in the Sun

Poem

1. A dream that is postponed and is put off from getting achieved.

2. A dream is being unfulfilled when it: dries up, festers, explodes, stinks, crusts and sugars
over, and sags.

Act 1, Scene 1

3. The family members who first appear are Ruth, Travis, and Walker.
4. Walters complains that Ruth doesn’t support him, talks bad about his friends, and defers
his dream.
5. Walter’s dream is to open a liquor store. However, Mama, Ruth, and Bennie do not
support him.
6. She says it because Walter resents her and is the only one who doesn’t support it. Also,
her dream needs to be paid to complete.
7. He says it because, regardless of what his dream is, his ultimate dream is to provide for
his family. Mama’s decision was putting the down payment on a house.

Act 1, Scene 2

1. Identify Joseph Asagai.

2. Why does Mama abruptly tell Walter about Ruth’s plan regarding the baby?
3. Explain Mama’s statement: “You are a disgrace to the memory of your father

Act 2, Scene 1

1. Explain George’s comment “We’re going to the theatre- we’re not going to be in it.”
2. Report three differences between George Murchison and Joseph Asagal.
3. Explain George’s sarcastic allusion to Prometheus.
4. What has Mama done with part of the $10,000? Why is this both good news and bad
news?
5. Refer to the poem which precedes the drama. Which description of a dream deferred
would describe Walter’s dream? Defend your answer.

Act 2, Scene 2 and 3

1. Explain Walter’s attitude about his job.

2. Walter says, “You trust me like that?” To what is he referring?
Act 2, Scene 3

1. What dream does Mr. Lindner mention?

2. Explain the irony in Beneatha’s statement: “This, friends, is the Welcoming
Committee!”
3. Linder also makes a statement that has unintentional irony” “People can get awful
worked up when they feel that their whole way of life and everything they’ve ever
worked for is threatened.” Explain the irony.
4. Identify Bobo. What is his place in the plot?
5. Why does Walter say, “That money is made out of my father’s flesh”?
6. Why is the ending of this scene appropriate to the Younger family and to Mama in
particular?

Act 3- Walter’s entrance

1. Report the way in which Mama tries to convince herself to accept her disappointment
about the house.
2. How do you know that Ruth disagrees with Mama?

Act 3- from Walter’s second entrance

1. What probing question does Mama ask Walter about his decision? Although Walter
protests that he will feel fine, what does his long speech indicate about his true
feelings?
2. Although Beneatha has no sympathy for Walter, how does Mama defend him? What
does she point out to Beneatha?
3. What is the intent of Mama’s comment, “You make him understand what you doing,
Walter Lee. You teach him good.”
4. Later, as the family members begin squabbling again, they seem to be reverting to
actions in Act One. But the family is not the same. What has changed?
5. Explain the importance of the following statement: “He came into his manhood today.”