A Raisin in the Sun
Act 3 Study Guide ​KEY
Act 3, Scene 1
1. How has the loss of the money changed Beneatha’s optimism? What is Asagai’s response?
She has given up and admits defeat. She tells Asagai there is no hope and everything is over. Asagai is
very critical of Beneatha’s feelings and tells her if she has dreams and wants a positive future, she
needs to make it herself. He also asks her to go to Africa with him.
2. How does Asagai define idealists and realists? Which group does he prefer to be associated with?
Idealists have dreams and go after them. Realists only see the circle of life and the things that are
right
in front of them. He would rather be an idealist.
3. How has Mama’s physical appearance changed? Why does Mama put her plant back on the
windowsill?
She is depressed and seems defeated as “a sense of waste overwhelms her.” Mama puts her plant
back
on the window because she feels as if she is going nowhere.
4. Who does Mama blame for the current situation? Why?
She blames herself for the current situation because she “aimed too high.”
5. Up until now, Ruth has been the practical one. How does she react to Mama’s new attitude?
Ruth becomes desperate and urgently begs Mama to let them go forward with the move. She offers
to
“work twenty hours a day in all the kitchens in Chicago” and “strap [her] baby on [her] back” if it
means
they can move.
6. When Walter arrives back home, what does he say he has done? What does he plan to do?
He has called Mr. Lindner; he plans to accept his offer. Walter tells his family that he's prepared to
bow
down to "The Man" to get the money. This is really Walter's lowest point in the whole play. He's
prepared to totally shame himself for the money.
7. Describe Walter’s new view of life as being divided between the “takers” and the “tooken.”
He feels that life is full of those who take (“takers”) and those who are taken from (“tooken”). His
family
has always been, he feels, the “tooken” and from this point forward, he wants them to be “takers.”
8. What does Mama mean when she says that Walter “won’t have nothing left” if he takes Linder’s
money?
He will lose his dignity and pride if he takes the money.
9. Beneatha says Walter is no brother of hers. What lesson does Mama have to remind Beneatha about?
Regardless of what has happened, Mama has always taught Beneatha to love others. She explains
that
it’s easy to love people when they’ve done well, but it’s when they’re at their lowest that they need
love
the most.
10. When Lindner arrives, why does Mama insist that Travis stay in the room?
Mama is disappointed in what Walter is about to do, she she forces Travis to stay in the room so that
Walter can “show where our five generations done come to.” However, Walter just can't bring himself
to act so shamefully in front of Travis
11. What does Walter tell Lindner? Why?
He talks to him about his father and how he worked all his life for others. He continues to tell Lindner
that his family is not going to take his money because his father earned the house for them “brick by
brick.” In the end, Walter finds his self­respect and leads his family on to their new house.
12. Why does Lindner decide to appeal to Mama? What is her response?
He appeals to her because he says she is older and wiser. He feels that she will bend to the demands
of
the neighborhood.
13. What is the importance of having Mama return to the empty apartment to grab her plant?
That plant represents her dreams and the spirit of her family. Wherever she goes and the family goes,
so
does the plant. She isn’t one to walk out on her family or her dreams.