Vocabulary 1
A personal driver, usually for a rich person
Chauffeur
Delay until a later time
Defer
Mother of Walter and Beneatha
Mama "Lena" Younger
What odd thing was Travis playing with outside?
A rat
"You say after me, in my mother's house there is still God."
Mama demanding Beneatha to say there is still God after saying she doesn't believe in God
Conceal or hide
Muffle
Likely to perform unpredictably
Erratic
"He is a lean, intense young man in his middle thirties, inclined to quick nervous movements and erratic speech habits"
Walter Younger
When and where does the play take place (be specific)
The Younger apartment in Southside Chicago in 1950s
WALTER: (Without even looking at his son, still staring hard at his wife) In fact, here’s another fifty cents…Buy yourself some fruit today – or take a taxicab to school or something
Walter gives Travis money because he wants to seem like he can provide for his family, even though he cannot
Open resistance
Defiance
Extremely disorderly/Messy
Disheveled
This character wants to be more connected to her African roots and is insulted when she is called an assimilationists
Beneatha Younger
What is revealed at the end of Act 1 that causes Lena to call Walter a "disgrace"?
Ruth is pregnant and plans to have an abortion and Walter doesn't say anything to stop her.
"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 . . ."
Walter is arguing with Beneatha because he doesn't want the money to go to her (tuition)
Lacking strength, especially as a result of age or illness
Feeble
Speaking distinctively so the sounds all run together
Slur
This character suggests that Mama take a vacation with her money
Ruth Younger
Why is Mama upset when the check arrives?
The check is a reminder that her husband is dead and she's afraid of the effect the money will have on her family.
"But he sure loved his children. Always wanted them to have something-be something."
Mama is talking about her husband's dreams for their children
Greatly annoyed, out of patience
Exasperated
Harming someone for revenge
Vengeance
George Murchison
Joseph Asagai
What does each character want to do with the money
-Walter
-Mama
-Beneatha
-Ruth
Walter- Open a liquor store
Mama- Buy a house
Beneatha- Go to med school
Ruth- Support Walter's dream
"That is just what is wrong with the colored woman in this world...Don't understand about building their men up and making them feel like they somebody."
Walter is upset that Ruth is not supporting his dreams