Question #1

Beneatha breaks down after she hears the news of her brother's loss of the money. She is hysterical and when Asagai comes over, she pours her heart out as he tries to calm her down. He finally says, "[Beneatha] come home with me [to Africa]." Asagai has been around the family throughout their hardships; how does his role in the play affect the family?

Question #2

Based on the financial and emotional triumphs that this family has faced, Lena seems to be the foundation that holds them in place. With this, how might the plant she holds close to her represent Lena's relationship with her family?

Question #3

In the play, the author depicts Walter as a young man striving for a chance in life. After his many waves of emotional outbursts, why would Lena give Walter a chance with the money?

Question #4

One of the motifs in the the play is the object of money. What does Walter's decision to invest Lena's money for a liquor store show about his character?

Question #5

As the family's struggles start to pile up on them, there is a confrontation between Beneatha and Lena that reveals that Beneatha does not believe in God anymore. How might different concepts such as conformity and conventionalism have influenced Beneatha's beliefs in God and life?

Question #6

In Act II Scene 1, Walter antagonizes George for being a young, well-dressed, rich, college boy. As George and Beneatha leave for their play, George says to Walter, " Thanks. Good night. Good night Prometheus!" Why would George compare Walter to Prometheus?
Learn more about Prometheus here:
http://www.pantheon.org/articles/p/prometheus.html

Question #7

What was the author's intent when she had Asagai ask Beneatha to come with him to Nigeria?

Question #8

In the climax of the play, Walter calls Karl Linder to tell him that he is willing to accept his offer of money from his neighbors not to move in; however, Walter changes his mind and declines his offer. Does Walter's decision to decline the money for the 2nd time now come as a decision to please his family or to keep his dignity as an African American man?

Question #9

Walter, the father in the struggling family, fights to help provide his family. One day his mother comes home with good news: "[I] went out and.. bought you a house." She says this to her grandson, Travis, Walter's son. What do you think the author's intent was when she had the grandmother go out and buy a house?

Question #10

Throughout the play, the characters express their wants in life and how they try to achieve their goals. For example Walters goal to own his own liquor business. How can dreams like those of the characters in the play be an allegory for dreams and hardships today?

Historical Context: The Reality of Racial Inequality

This is an example of a neighborhood of tenement housings where the Young family may have resided.

This is another image of a tenement housing in the 1960's. The rooms are small, there is little space available for each family, and when doing laundry they must hang their clothes on wires and cables to dry.

Job opportunities for African Americans during this time period were scarce. Chauffeuring was one of the few options available, which is Walter's job in Raisin in the Sun.


This image shows areas of black residence in Chicago. The different shadings represent different time periods. Areas of white residence are left unshaded.


These African Americans carry picket signs and march in protest of lunch counter segregation during the 1960s.


Religion during this time period was greatly involved in the civil rights movement. This is a prayer-protest that was organized in 1963.


More than 1,000 students stage a march in support of anti-segregation in South Carolina.


These students were arrested for protesting segregation in their community.