Mrs. Bondi – ELA 5-6
Viewing Guide and Socratic Seminar/DOK Questions
Hansberry’s A Raisin in the Sun
Name __________________________________________________________________
You do NOT need to use complete sentences for questions 1-35.
Note: you may access play online via link posted on website.
Act I – Scene One
1.
Why does Walter ask Ruth what is wrong with her? ________________________________________________
2. Why is Ruth upset when Walter gives Travis the money? _____________________________________________
3. Who are Willy and Bobo? ______________________________________________________________________
4. Why does Walter say, “Damn my eggs…damn all the eggs that ever was!”? ______________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________________
5.
Who is Beneatha? ___________________________________________________________________________
6. Why is Mama getting a check for $10,000? ________________________________________________________
7. Why does Beneatha say she will not marry George? _________________________________________________
8. What is Beneatha’s attitude towards God? ________________________________________________________
9. What happens to Ruth at the end of Act I – Scene One? ______________________________________________
Act I – Scene Two
10. Where is Joseph Asagai from? __________________________________________________________________
11. What does Ruth find out? ______________________________________________________________________
12. Why is Asagai’s present to Beneatha appropriate? __________________________________________________
13. Why is Asagai’s nickname, Alaiyo, appropriate? ____________________________________________________
14. What does Mama say is “dangerous”? ____________________________________________________________
15. Where did Ruth actually go instead of the doctor’s office? ____________________________________________
16. Why does Mama call Walter Lee a disgrace to his father’s memory? ____________________________________
Act II – Scene One
17. What is Beneatha doing when George comes in? ___________________________________________________
18. What are “assimilationist Negroes”? _____________________________________________________________
19. What does Mama do with her money? ___________________________________________________________
20. What is Walter’s reaction to Mama’s purchase? ____________________________________________________
21. What is Ruth’s reaction to Mama’s purchase? ______________________________________________________
Act II – Scene Two
22. How does Ruth find out Walter Lee hasn’t been going to work? _______________________________________
23. Where has Walter been going instead of to work? __________________________________________________
24. What does Mama do for Walter Lee? ____________________________________________________________
Act II – Scene Three
25. Who is Karl Lindner, and why does he visit the Youngers’ house? ______________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________________
26. What is Walter’s reaction to Lindner? ___________________________________________________________
27. What presents does Mama get? ________________________________________________________________
28. What news does Bobo bring to Walter? __________________________________________________________
Act III
29. Why doesn’t Beneatha want to be a doctor anymore? ______________________________________________
30. How does Asagai define “idealists” and realists”? ___________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________________
31. What does Asagai ask Beneatha to do? __________________________________________________________
32. What fault does Mama find with herself? _________________________________________________________
33. What solution does Walter Lee have? ____________________________________________________________
34. Why doesn’t Walter take the money Lindner offers? ________________________________________________
35. Do the Youngers stay or move? _________________________________________________________________
Viewing Guide = +18 Speaking/Listening category
In preparation of our Socratic Seminar, please answer one question, 5-8 sentences in length per question, from each
section (3 questions total). You must use evidence from the play to support your response. Responses must be
typed, and submitted to turnitin.com by ____________________________.
3 Questions = +30 (10 pts. per question) Reading category
 Section 1: Depth of Knowledge (DOK) Levels 2-4 – answer 1 question, 5-8 sentences in length, and use
evidence from the play to support your response.
1. What does the setting add to the story?
2. Are the characters in A Raisin in the Sun stereotypes? If so, explain the usefulness of employing stereotypes in
the play. If they are not, explain how they merit individuality.
3. Describe the relationship between Ruth and Walter.
4. Describe the relationship between Mama and Walter.
5. Describe the relationship between Beneatha and Walter.
6. What function does Travis serve in the play?
Next page for Sections 2-3 questions!
 Section 2: Depth of Knowledge (DOK) Levels 2-4 - answer 1 question, 5-8 sentences in length, and use
evidence from the play to support your response.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Compare and contrast Bennie and Walter.
Compare and contrast Asagai and George.
Explain the theme, or underlying message of Lorraine Hansberry, regarding the following idea:
Explain the theme, or underlying message of Lorraine Hansberry, regarding the following idea:
Explain the theme, or underlying message of Lorraine Hansberry, regarding the following idea:
Explain the theme, or underlying message of Lorraine Hansberry, regarding the following idea:
hopes & dreams.
pride.
suffering.
sacrifice.
 Section 3: Depth of Knowledge (DOK) Levels 2-4 - answer 1 question, 5-8 sentences in length, and use
evidence from the play to support your response.
1. Who is responsible for Walter’s situation? Why?
2. Could anything have been gained by including more scenes from the time before the events of the play? If so,
what could have been added and for what purpose? If not, explain why not.
3. Why did the author include the element of Ruth’s pregnancy? What did it add to the play?
4. Who is the main character in the play? Justify your answer.
5. How does each character (Walter, Beneatha, Mama, & Ruth) change during the course of the play?
6. Walter and Beneatha and Asagai have dreams. What are their dreams? Compare/contrast your future dreams
with characters in the play.
Responses to questions (3 total; 1 from each section – 5-8
sentences each using evidence from the play to support your
response) must be submitted to turnitin.com by
_________________________________________.