Lorraine Hansberry’s A Raisin in the Sun
Homework Questions




All questions must be answered completely in full sentences.
There must be one direct quote per assignment.
All claims must be supported with specific details and evidence from the text.
Each Homework Assignment will be worth 10 points.
Act I, scene i
(Choose 4 out of 5)
1. Describe three family problems that are immediately apparent as the play opens.
2. Describe Walter’s attitude towards Ruth, and Ruth’s attitude towards Walter.
3. What does Walter’s statement “baby, don’t nothing happen for you in this world ‘less
you pay somebody off” reveal about his character?
4. What dream did Walter have that he couldn’t attain?
5. What is Mama’s dream?
Act I, scene ii
(Choose 4 out of 8)
1. For what two reasons does Asagai have more appeal to Benetha that Murchison?
2. How does Mama analyze Walter’s troubles?
3. How does Beneatha react to the news of Ruth’s pregnancy?
4. How is Asagai different from the Younger family?
5. Why is Beneatha so interested in her African heritage?
6. How does Walter react when he comes home and no one will listen to him?
7. According to Mama, what’s the difference between her generation and her children’s
generation?
8. Why is Mama disappointed in her son as this scene closes?
Act II, scene i
(Answer all 4)
1. Define Assimilation and use it in a sentence related to Raisin.
2. Describe the development of Beneatha’s relationship with her brother Walter.
3. What advice does Walter give George? What does this tell us about Walter?
4. What is Walter’s final line in the scene? Why are these the words that can hurt his
mother most deeply?
Act II, scene ii (Choose 4 out of 5)
1. What does Beneatha decide concerning her relationship with George? Explai.
2. What news does Ms. Johnson have for Mama?
3. How does Mama react when Ms. Johnson tells her “Ain’t nothing wrong with being a
chauffeur”? What does this tell us about Mama?
4. Who is Mrs. Arnold, and why does she call Ruth? What does she tell Ruth?
5. Why does Mama finally surrender to Walter by giving him part of the insurance
money?
Act II, scene iii
(Answer all 4)
1. After the opening discussion in this scene, why is Mr. Lindner’s visit so ironically
appropriate?
2. What presents do the family members give Mama? What do these presents tell us
about Mama’s character?
3. What is Bobo’s news and how do Ruth, Walter, Beneatha, and Mama react to the
news?
4. What is Mr. Lindner’s news and how do Ruth, Walter, Beneatha, and Mama react to
the news?
Act III – first half (Choose 4 out of 6)
1. How is the stage setting at the beginning of this act similar to the setting at the
beginning of Act I?
2. What’s the real reason Beneatha wants to become a doctor?
3. How has Beneatha’s attitude about her future changed?
4. What advice does Asagai give Beneatha?
5. Describe Mama’s mood. How does she feel about the move?
6. How does Ruth feel about the move?
Act III – second half (Choose 4 out of 5)
1. What is Walter’s plan?
2. What “lesson” does Walter feel Willy Harris taught him?
3. What prompts Beneatha to say, “That is not a man. That is a toothless rat”? How
does Mama react to this statement?
4. When Mr. Lindner returns to do business with Walter, Lena insists that Travis
witness the situation. Why?
5. Explain what Mama means when she says that “He finally come to his manhood
today, didn’t he? Kind of like a rainbow after the rain…”