Vocab Power
This is where and when a story takes place.
What is setting?
These are four ways we learn about characters: what they say, what they do, what they think, and this.
What is, how others react to them?
This character is Mama's son who wants to invest money in a business.
Who is Walter OR Walter Lee?
This is the name of the younger boy who looks up to Pete.
Who is Sucker, OR Richard?
This type of conflict happens when two people disagree or fight with each other.
What is Person vs. Person OR Character vs. Character?
When your friend is wearing a Cardinals jersey with red face paint, you can infer they probably went here.
What is a Cardinals game OR a baseball game?
This is a struggle or problem between characters or within a character.
What is conflict?
In "Sucker," Pete acts this way toward Maybelle even though he feels confused inside.
What is nice/interested/friendly? (Any reasonable answer about him trying to impress her)
Mama uses the insurance money to buy this for the family.
What is a house?
Pete was thinking and dreaming about this girl, which made him forget where he was.
Who is Maybelle?
When Mama and Walter argue about the house and the money, this is the type of conflict.
What is Person vs. Person OR Character vs. Character
In "Sucker," when the text says his voice was "fast" and "like he had been saving up these things to tell me," we can infer Sucker felt this way.
What is lonely OR like he had no one to talk to OR excited to finally talk?
These are instructions in a play that tell actors how to move, speak, or what they're feeling. They're usually in italics or (parentheses)
What are stage directions?
When Mama buys a house without asking Walter first, this shows she has this character trait.
What is independent OR confident OR strong-willed? (or similar traits)
Ruth reacts to Mama's news about the house with this emotion, even though she's worried about Walter.
What is joy OR excitement OR happiness (The stage direction says "PRAISE GOD")
The dark, cold night setting causes Pete to feel this way toward Sucker.
What is close OR united OR connected?
This type of conflict happens when a character struggles with their own feelings or decisions.
What is Person vs. Self OR Character vs. Self?
When Walter speaks "bitterly" according to the stage directions, we can infer he is feeling this emotion.
What is angry OR resentful OR upset OR a mix of negative emoitions?
This is an educated guess you make based on clues in the text.
What is an inference?
In Act 2, Travis is worried about this when Ruth scolds him.
What is being punished OR getting in trouble?
Walter and Mama have different points of view about the house. Walter wanted to use the money for this instead.
What is his business OR a liquor store?
When Sucker talks to Pete at night, his voice is fast and excited, like he had been doing this with his thoughts.
What is saving them up OR keeping them inside for a long time?
When Pete feels guilty about being mean to Sucker, this is the type of conflict.
When Pete says "I started to punch Maybelle but couldn't quite make up my mind," this shows Pete has these kinds of feelings.
What are conflicted OR mixed OR confused feelings?
This is the main message or lesson that a story teaches readers.
What is theme?
Stage directions in "A Raisin in the Sun" show that Mama speaks, "quietly, looking at her son with pain." This tells us Mama is feeling this emotion.
What is sad OR hurt OR painful?
The presence of Ruth and Travis in the scene allows Mama to do this instead of speaking to Walter most of the time.
What is avoid speaking to him, OR talk around him, OR not face him directly?
At the movie theater, readers see how Pete acts when he's around Maybelle, and they also see this about Sucker.
What is how Sucker acts in a public place OR how Sucker behaves around others?
In A Raisin in the Sun, when the family faces racism about moving to a white neighborhood, this is the type of conflict.
What is Person vs. Society OR Character vs. Society?
These are TWO clues from the text that help us infer Sucker hadn't had anyone to talk to: his voice was THIS, and he had been THIS with his thoughts.
What are "fast" and "saving them up for a long time"?
Name ONE theme from "A Raisin in the Sun" OR ONE theme from "Sucker" that you studied. The best theme given earns the points.
ACCEPTABLE ANSWERS FOR "A RAISIN IN THE SUN":
Families don't always agree, but they love each other
Family is important
Stand up for what's right
Dreams are important
Money doesn't solve all problems
Fighting racism takes courage
ACCEPTABLE ANSWERS FOR "SUCKER":
Be kind to people who look up to you
Actions have consequences
Growing up is hard
Treat others with respect
Don't take advantage of people who trust you