Raisin in the Sun Flashcards
Walter
He is the protagonist in the story. In his mid 30s, fights with Ruth. He wants to get his liquor store, and earn lots of money and be in control of the world.
What happens to the dream?
- Mama uses the money to buy a house
- He gives all of the money to Willy Harris, and looses it
- Becomes a man, when he accepts that the happiness of his family is not worth all of that money
Mama
Appearence: Early sixties, strong women, has a lot of faith, from Southwest Africa, has expectance, and believes that money is not everything
Dream: To buy a house with her husband. After he died, she decided that she wanted a house for her children. She wants the best for her chidren and wants to give them good things. She wants them to beat assimilation
To The Dream: Her husband dies, she is poor and only has insurance money. Karl Linder tries to prevent her from buying the house, but when Walter takes the house, the dream comes true.
Beneatha
Appearance: Pretty looking short hair. She is learned intellectual, modern, educated, and slim.
Beliefs: Does not believe in crediting god, she wants to not follow steriotype and be a part of her culture.
Dreams: To defy the stereotype, be a part of her culture, and become a doctor by going to med school. Beat assimilation
What Happens to Dreams: When Walter spends her share of the money, she cannot go to medical school. However, her friend Asagai wants to take her to Nigeria and become doctors there
Ruth
Appearance: She was a pretty person, is 30 years old, Fights with Walter, but is very loving towards her family.
Dreams: Wants to live in a better place, out of poverty
Wants to be a good wife. Does not want to abort her baby
What happens to dream: Coems true when Walter decides to get the house and her relationship improves with him
Travis
Appearance: Boy of 10 years old. He is fun loving, but well behaved and is innocent
Dreams: Wants family to be happy. Wants to be a bus driver like his father, but wants o move into a house like others in school.
What Happens to Dream: Family is happier, could become like his dad
Asagai
Appearance: From Nigeria, an intellectual, kind hearted, wise, likes Beneatha, well mannered
Dreams: Wants to go back to Nigeria, to marry beneatha, help his villiage
What happens: His dreams might come true, he might go back to Africa
George Murchison
Appearance: College boy, rich, Beneatha’s boyfriend, snobby, sophisticated
Dreams: Marry a pretty girl, assimilated into American culture
What Happens: If beneatha Dumps him then the dreams will come true, Beneatha does not like him
Karl Lindner
Appearence: Quiet, Middle Aged, business like
DreamL Not to have black people in the neighborhood, chairmen so wants to keep the blacks safe
-Make the Younger’s stay in a polite way
What happens to dream: Does not come true.
Major Plot Events
What is one major event that sets the ball rolling in the play
The Youngers recieve a check from the insurance company for 10000 dollars as compensation for Mr. Younger’s death
What is a problem that comes with the money?
Each adult member has an idea of what they want to do with the money
This money comes from the deceased Mr. Younger’s life insurance policy. Each of the adult members of the family has an idea as to what he or she would like to do with this money. The matriarch of the family, Mama, wants to buy a house to fulfill a dream she shared with her husband. Mama’s son, Walter Lee, would rather use the money to invest in a liquor store with his friends.
What does Walter, Ruth, and Beneatha believe about the liquor store. What does Beneatha want?
He believes that the investment will solve the family’s financial problems forever. Walter’s wife, Ruth, agrees with Mama, however, and hopes that she and Walter can provide more space and opportunity for their son, Travis. Finally, Beneatha, Walter’s sister and Mama’s daughter, wants to use the money for her medical school tuition. She also wishes that her family members were not so interested in joining the white world. Beneatha instead tries to find her identity by looking back to the past and to Africa.
What is one big problem with Ruth?
She is pregnent but the family does not have enough money so she considers abortion
What does Mama do?
She puts a down payment on a house. This really bothers Walter
