Character Description
Who is Walter Lee Younger?
What is the protagonist of the book
what was the major conflict of the story
The Youngers, a working-class black family, struggle against economic hardship and racial prejudice
the process of a minority group being absorbed int the majority culture
assimilationism
"Man say to his woman: I got me a dream. His woman say: Eat your eggs" (Act I, Scene I)
Walter Lee Younger speaking to Ruth Younger
Who is Beneatha Younger?
what is Mama's Daughter and Walter's sister. Better educated than the rest of the family.
setting of the story
The South Side of Chicago
to clear of wrongdoing
vindicate
"I am not an assimilationist!" (Act I, Scene II)
Beneatha Younger speaking to Joseph Asagai
Lena Younger
Walter and Beneatha’s mother. The matriarch of the family, Mama is religious, moral, and maternal
Date of first publication
1959
to speak in a light or disrespectful manner
flippancy
"So-I would rather be living in Buckingham Palace" (Act I, Scene I)
Ruth Younger speaking to Walter Lee Younger
Ruth Younger
Walter’s wife and Travis’s mother. Ruth takes care of the Youngers’ small apartment
Tone
realistic
Travis _________ asked Ruth for $0.50, but she didn't want to give it to him
beseechingly
"I am sure you people must be aware of some of the incidents which have happened in various part of the city when colored people have moved into certain areas..." (116)
Mr. Lindner speaking to Walter Lee Younger, Ruth Younger, and Beneatha Younger
Travis Younger
Walter and Ruth’s sheltered young son. Travis earns some money by carrying grocery bags and likes to play outside with other neighborhood children
Motifs
Racial identity, the home
This vocabulary word best fills in the blank below: George Murchinson found Beneatha's robe to be _______
ludicrous
"Seem like God didn't see fit to give the black man nothing but dreams--but He did give is children to male them dreams seem worthwhile" (Act I, Scene I)
Mama (Lena) Younger speaking to Ruth Younger