Raisin in a Sun Act I

How does the author's use of the character Mama in the final scene refine the central theme of the play regarding family and dreams?

• Mama's disappointment in Walter's actions highlights the importance of upholding family values and honoring the past, even when faced with personal dreams.

• Mama's anger towards Walter emphasizes the importance of financial stability and the need to prioritize material wealth over personal aspirations.

• Mama's frustration with Walter's behavior underscores the importance of individual freedom and the right to pursue personal goals, even if they conflict with family expectations.

• Mama's unwavering support for Walter's dreams demonstrates the importance of unconditional love and the need to prioritize individual happiness over family obligations.

Which of the following passages best exemplifies the central theme of the play regarding the pursuit of dreams and the complexities of achieving them?

• “We ain’t no business people, Ruth. We just plain working folks.”

• “He was one man to love his children. Always wanted them to have something—be something. That’s where Brother gets all these notions, I reckon.”

• “Seem like God didn’t see fit to give the black man nothing but dreams—but He did give us children to make them dreams seem worth while.”

• “Sometimes it’s like I can see the future stretched out in front of me—just plain as day. The future, Mama. Hanging over there at the edge of my days. Just waiting for me—a big, looming blank space—full of nothing. Just waiting for me.”

How does the author's description of the Younger family's living room contribute to the play's overall theme of dreams and aspirations?

• The room's worn and tired state symbolizes the family's struggle to maintain hope and dignity despite their limited circumstances.

• The room's cramped and cluttered space represents the family's desire for a larger and more comfortable home, reflecting their aspirations for a better life.

• The room's lack of natural light symbolizes the family's limited opportunities and the challenges they face in achieving their dreams.

• The room's furnishings, once chosen with care and love, now reflect the family's growing disillusionment with their current situation and their fading dreams.

What is the primary function of the dialogue between Walter and Ruth in the first scene of the play?

• To establish the characters' personalities and their contrasting views on money and ambition.

• To introduce the conflict between Walter's desire for financial success and Ruth's desire for a stable and secure life.

• To highlight the challenges faced by African American families in achieving the American Dream.

• To foreshadow the future conflicts that will arise between Walter and Ruth as they navigate their dreams and aspirations.

Analyze how the arrival of the insurance check, a pivotal event in the play, impacts the dynamics between Walter and Mama. What does this reveal about their relationship and the play's themes?

• The check intensifies the existing tension between Walter and Mama, highlighting their conflicting views on money and its potential for change.

• The check brings Walter and Mama closer together, as they both recognize the opportunity it presents for their family's future.

• The check exposes a deep-seated resentment between Walter and Mama, rooted in their different experiences and expectations.

• The check ultimately leads to a reconciliation between Walter and Mama, as they both realize the importance of family unity and shared dreams.

Examine how the author uses the character of Beneatha to explore the theme of identity in the play. What does her journey of self-discovery reveal about the complexities of finding one's place in the world?

• Beneatha's exploration of African culture and her rejection of assimilationist pressures demonstrate the importance of embracing one's heritage and challenging societal norms.

• Beneatha's pursuit of a medical career highlights the importance of education and individual achievement as paths to self-fulfillment.

• Beneatha's conflicts with her family reveal the challenges of navigating generational differences and finding acceptance within one's own community.

• Beneatha's journey ultimately leads her to a clear understanding of her identity, as she embraces her African heritage and her aspirations for a successful career.

How does the author's use of the phrase "rat trap" to describe the Younger family's apartment contribute to the play's overall theme of dreams and aspirations?

• The phrase emphasizes the family's desire for a larger and more comfortable home, reflecting their aspirations for a better life.

• The phrase symbolizes the family's limited opportunities and the challenges they face in achieving their dreams.

• The phrase highlights the family's struggle to maintain hope and dignity despite their limited circumstances.

• The phrase reflects the family's growing disillusionment with their current situation and their fading dreams.

Analyze the effect of the recurrent use of the word "money" on establishing the tone of the play.

• The word creates a sense of hope and optimism, as the characters believe that money will solve their problems.

• The word emphasizes the importance of financial stability and the need to prioritize material wealth over personal aspirations.

• The word creates a sense of tension and conflict, as the characters struggle with the power and limitations of money.

• The word highlights the importance of individual freedom and the right to pursue personal goals, even if they conflict with family expectations.

Match the following characters with their dreams.

• become the head of the family & own a liquor store

• Ruth

• find her identity and become a doctor

• Walter

• grow a garden

• Mama

• have a safe and loving home for her children

• Beneatha

Match the character to their dream for the money.

• wants Mama to enjoy her money

• Mama

• house w/ a garden

• Travis

• a liquor store

• Walter

• medical school

• Beneatha

• wants to afford what other kids can

• Ruth