Quotes:
"We all tied up in a race of people that don't know how to do nothing but moan, pray, and have babies!"
Walter Lee
How does Ruth feel about Mama buying the house?
Ruth - ecstatic! She doesn't have to live in their cramped apartment anymore - and she can have this new baby!
How does Ruth find out that Walter has not been to work for three days? What has he been doing?
Mrs. Arnold calls - his employer's wife. He's been driving around people-watching.
"Here I am a giant -- surrounded by ants! Ants who can't even understand what it is the giant is talking about."
Water Lee
How does Walter feel about Mama buying the house?
Walter - upset. He thinks Mama is naive for thinking they can move into a white neighborhood. He also is upset that he doesn't get all of the money for his liquor store.
What is Mama gifted by the family? Considering her original dream (that has been constantly deferred), what might this gift be symbolic of?
The possibility for the dream to come true! A new beginning!
There ain’t so much between us, Walter … Not when you come to me and try to talk to me. Try to be with me … a little even.
Ruth
What are Walter and Beneatha doing at the start of the Act that makes Ruth feel so embarrassed?
They are dancing around the room to tribal music. Beneatha is wearing the traditional Nigerian robes Asagai gave her.
George visits and Walter Lee talks to him. Walter Lee tries to seem important by lying about what? What insult does George call Walter on his way out the door?
Having been to New York / Prometheus
I know ain’t nothing in this world as busy as you colored college boys with your fraternity pins and white shoes …
Walter Lee
Walter is struggling because he has little control over his life. He's a dreamer, and yet, he doesn't have the resources to achieve his dreams. What does Mama do to alleviate some of this despair?
She gives him control of the remaining $6,500 of the money
What does Ruth tell Beneatha about her relationship with Walter after he gained responsibility of the money?
That they are acting like they did when they first started dating! They're holding hands and enjoying each other's company again.
Oh don’t be so proud of yourself, Bennie—just because you look eccentric.
How do Beneatha and Walter react to Mr. Lindner's offer?
Beneatha is suspicious from the beginning. She likens the money to thirty pieces of silver. Walter throws the man out of their apartment.
What is Beneatha choosing by (potentially) picking Asagai over George? Why does Beneatha thank her mother after she turns down George?
Beneatha is choosing ambition over traditional family life. Asagai is supportive of her ambitions, while George would rather she stay home and be a traditional housewife. Beneatha is thanking her mother for understanding.