Characters
Who is Ruth and what is her relationship to Walter?
Ruth is Walter’s wife
What big event are the Youngers waiting for at the start of the play?
The arrival of the $10,000 life insurance check
In what city does the play take place?
Chicago
Give an example of a Man vs Self conflict in Act 1
Answers may vary
What does the check symbolize for different family members?
Different hopes and dreams
Who dreams of owning a liquor store?
Walter Lee Younger
Why is Ruth worried about her pregnancy?
They can’t afford another child
What time period is the play set in?
Post WW2 (Mid 1940's)
Mama’s struggling houseplant stands for her family’s hope and care. What is this device?
Symbolism
Give an example of a theme in Act 1.
Answers will vary.
What is Beneatha’s dream for her future?
To become a doctor
What is Beneatha’s attitude toward religion in Act 1?
She says she doesn’t believe in God
What does the family’s apartment reveal about their financial situation?
They are struggling / low-income
What is main type of conflict the Younger family is facing?
Man vs Society
Give an example of how one of the members of the Younger Family has their "dreams deferred."
Answers may vary
Who is the matriarch of the Younger family?
Lena (Mama) Younger
What does Walter accuse Ruth and Mama of doing to his dreams?
Crushing them / not supporting him
What kind of housing does the Younger family live in?
Kitchenette
Give an example of foreshadowing that happens in Act 1.
Other characters mention how Ruth looks thin or frail or tired --> she ends up being pregnant
What does Beneatha's hair symbolize?
Assimilationism
What is the Yoruba term for "one for whom bread or food is not enough"?
Alaiyo
How does Mama react to Walter’s idea of a liquor store? Why?
She refuses to support it; she thinks it’s sinful
How does segregation impact the family’s housing choices in Act 1?
They are limited in where they can live
The reference to Buckingham Palace is an example of what literary device?
Allusion
How does Ruth’s pregnancy function as a symbol in Act 1?
It symbolizes both new life and overwhelming pressure — hope for the future, but also fear of whether the family can afford to support another child.