Characters
Relationships
Plot
Themes
Try Your Luck!
100
What is the name of Walter Lee's mother?
Lena
100
Who was Walter talking to in this line and what is her relationship to Walter? Just for a second – stirring them eggs. Just for a second it was – you looked real young again. (He reaches for her; she crosses away. Then, drily) It’s gone now – you look like yourself again!
Ruth & they are married
100
What does Walter Lee want to spend his Mama's money on?
His liquor store investment.
100
For most of Act I, the whole family is focused mostly on one thing. What is it?
The check coming in the mail, and the question of what to do with the money.
100
When and where is the play set?
The Southside of Chicago in the 1950s
200
List three previous hobbies of Beneatha's
Answers will vary
200
How are Travis and Lena related?
Travis is Lena's grandson, she is his grandmother.
200
Why does Mama receive the large sum of money in Act I?
It is a life insurance payment, after the death of her husband, Walter and Beneatha's father.
200
"We one group of men tied to a race of women with small minds!" Who says this? What is he referring to?
Walter says this to Ruth. He is implying that he and "his men" are held back by "their women", because he is ambitious and his wife doesn't want him to make risky investments.
200
How does Walter want his eggs? How does he get his eggs?
Anything but scrambled, very scrambled!
300
Who comes to visit Beneatha, and brings her a gift?
Joseph Asagai
300
This character can't decide which man she really likes. Name her, and the two men in her life.
Beneatha, Joseph Asagai and George Murchinson
300
In the end of scene two, what does Walter discover about Ruth? How does he react?
Walter discovers that Ruth is pregnant, and he is extremely shocked.
300
The Younger family's difficulty in sharing a bathroom is a very obvious part of Act I. Why is this bathroom situation so significant?
The fact that the family shares a bathroom shows us that they are struggling with a lack of money and having to share their personal space. We see how badly they need to move out so that they can have more space from each other.
300
Who is the author of the play? Where did she grow up?
Lorraine Hansberry. She grew up in Chicago.
400
This character feels that no one in the family supports his/her goals or dreams
Walter Lee
400
"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" Who says this line? Who is s/he speaking to? How are they related?
Walter says it to his sister, Beneatha.
400
In the beginning of scene two, while the women are cleaning the house, what does Travis ask to do? Why?
He asks to go outside and play with the other kids in the street. He says the smells from the cleaning chemicals are awful.
400
"WILL SOMEBODY PLEASE LISTEN TO ME TODAY!" Who says this? Why?
Walter Lee says this to Mama and Ruth. He is getting very frustrated, because he feels that no one ever lets him explain himself or gives his ideas fair attention. He wants them to accept his liquor store idea, and they aren't.
400
How much money does the Younger family get from the insurance check ?
10,000 Dollars
500
Which character is most obviously struggling to define his/her identity?
Beneatha
500
"In my mother's house there is still God" Who says this line? To whom? What does this tell us about the relationship between the two characters?
Beneatha says this to her mother, Lena (Mama). It shows the growing tension between mother and daughter, as Beneatha is becoming more "modern" and stepping away from the family traditions, such as religion.
500
What is the nickname that Asagai gives to Beneatha? What language is it? What does it mean?
Alaiyo. It is in Yoruba, his tribal language. He translates it as "One for whom bread is not enough"
500
"What happens to a dream deferred?" Explain the meaning of this line, and how this poem connects to the play.
The line is asking about the consequences of when people don't get to fulfill their dreams. It suggests that when people don't fight for what they want, if they don't reach for their dreams and goals, then they might get ruined or spoiled. In the play, we see that each character has his/her own individual dreams, and they are in conflict with each other because of those dreams.
500
What happens when Walter gives Travis a dollar.
Walter has to come back to the apartment and ask for money to get to work.
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