Act 1: Scene 2 –
Text Dependent Questions
~ Says, Means, Matters
WHY did Ruth go to the doctor?
Beneatha: “Of course I’ve missed
you—in my way” (28).
1. When Beneatha responds to the
caller on the other line, what do her
words “in my way” reveal about her
attitude towards men?
SAYS: When ____ says “_____” (PC), it
shows that…
MEANS: Her attitude is definitely…
MATTERS: She seems to view men as…
2. On page 30, Ruth expresses
emotion about her pregnancy. What
lines/words in the play reflect how
she feels about this new baby?
SAYS: Ruth’s attitude/feelings about
being pregnant appear to be…
SAYS: This attitude/feeling is
revealed…
MEANS: She seems to be…
MATTERS: It’s as if she might…
3. Before Mr. Asagai leaves, he
translates the meaning of Beneatha’s
nickname “Alaiyo”. What does
“Alaiyo” mean and how does reflect
on Beneatha’s true personality?
SAYS: Mr. Asagai says that “___,”
which means…
MEANS: He seems to know that
Beneatha is…
MATTERS: From Mr. Asagai’s
translation, the audience is getting to
know Beneatha as…
4. Mama thinks that there is something wrong
with Walter that has been building inside him
for the past few years—“…something eating
you up like a crazy man”(40). How might this
be connected to Walter going “outside his home
to look for peace”? How does this “peace”
seem to be connected to money?
SAYS: Mama seems to think that Walter
is…when she says…
MATTERS: She is afraid that her son is…
SAYS: Walter expresses his inner turmoil
when he says…
MEANS: This shows that he…