A Raisin in the Sun
Lorraine Hansberry
Questions
English 9
Name:
Hour:
Portfolio—A Raisin in the Sun
English 9
Name: ____________________________
I. What is Drama?
.
1. In a play, what is a scene? An act? How are plays and other types of fiction similar?
Different?
2. In a play, why is dialogue so important? What are some of the ways a character in a play
show what she is thinking?
3. What do stage directions do? How do they appear on a script?
II. The Title
Read “Harlem” by Langston Hughes, which appears as an epigraph at the beginning of the play.
Respond to the following in writing after going of these questions in small-group discussion:
1. What is the mood of the poem? How does the poet feel about dreams?
2. What is the tone of the poem? If you were to hear the poet read it, what would be the sound
of his voice?
3. What simile does the poet use? What does it mean? How might it relate to what is likely to
occur in the screenplay A Raisin in the Sun?
4. Do you agree with Hughes? Give examples from personal experiences, books, and television
or film plots about what happens when dreams are lost.
III. Journal Write #1
Imagine that your family suddenly wins the lottery. What does it feel like to have all that money?
What will you do with it? What conflicts might arise among family members and others? (2
paragraphs)
IV. Act I, Scene I
1. Read the stage directions. Hansberry is very exact in her specifications as to how the scenery
will look. Why do you think this is? What is the overall effect she is trying to achieve?
2. What are your immediate reactions to Ruth, Travis, Walter, Beneatha, and Mama? Explain.
Ruth:
Travis:
Walter:
Beneatha:
Mama:
3. What appears to be the conflict in this act? Who is the most powerful character? Why?
4. What appears to be the problem in this act? How do you think it will be resolved?
5. Examine each character’s perceptions about money. How is the insurance payment the key to
their dreams? Is it the key to their dreams?
Ruth:
Walter:
Beneatha:
Mama:
Travis:
6. How is Beneatha the odd member of the family? How does she interact with the others?
What are her opinions about money, God, self-expression? How do these contrast with those
of her family?
V. Journal Write #2
Part 1—Do you think Walter’s love of money and a desire to better his situation are for his
family or for himself? Why? (1 paragraph). If someone had a dream that you didn’t approve of,
or thought would be bad to achieve, would you stop that person from achieving it? Why or why
not? (1 paragraph)
Part 2—If someone had a dream that you didn’t approve of, or thought would be bad to achieve,
would you stop that person from achieving it? Why or why not? (1 paragraph)
VI. Act I, Scene II
1. Where did Ruth go? What news did she get? How do you think this will affect the family?
2. Who is Asagai? Describe his attitude toward African identity. What is his nickname for
Beneatha? Why do you think it pleases her so? What do you think Asagai’s perceptions of
money would be? Why?
3. What did Mama decide about investing in her son’s liquor store? Why do you think she did
it? Do you agree with her?
4. What did Ruth decide to do at the end of this scene?
VII. Act II, Scene I
1. Describe Beneatha’s attitude toward assimilationism and Afrocentrism. Do you think there
needs to be such a distinction made?
2. Compare and contrast George and Asagai. Whom do you think would appeal more to
Beneatha? Why?
3. Why do you think Walter is so hostile to George? What does this tell you about Walter?
4. What do you think George’s white shoes symbolize? Asagai’s Nigerian robes? What do
these symbol’s tell you about their lifestyles, beliefs, and dreams? Why?
5. What does Mama do at the end of this scene?
VIII. Journal Write #3
Do you think it was right what Mama did? After all, everyone needed some of her money. Was
it right to put her needs first when, in a way, she was providing for all of the family? Explain (2
paragraphs)
IX. Getting to Know the Characters
In small groups, trace the development/resolution of these conflicts between/among the
characters:
Walter Lee and Ruth: What are their expectations of each other?
Walter Lee and Beneatha: Are they sensitive to each other's needs, or have they become locked
into the “sibling rivalry” syndrome?
Walter Lee and Lena: Is she unconsciously emasculating him? Is he behaving more like a son
than a husband and father? What cultural traditions affect their relationship?
Lena and Ruth: Is Lena trying to undermine Ruth's maternal authority by commenting on what
Travis eats, how he dresses, and her excusing his lapses as “he’s just a little boy”?
Beneatha and Asagai: What cultural differences cause tension in their relationship? How does
he prove he really cares for her?
X. Act II, Scene II
1. Describe George’s attitude toward the pursuit of knowledge. How does this compare to
Beneatha’s? Asagai’s? Walter’s? Why?
2. What explains Mama’s sudden shift in feelings toward the kind of man Beneatha should fall
in love with?
3. What explains Mama’s sudden shift in feelings toward Walter’s monetary needs—and what
he probably plans to do with that money?
XI. Journal Write #4
Pretend that you are new to a school. You sit at a lunch table and are told you must leave
immediately by the other students at the table. Your locker is repeatedly vandalized by students
who don’t want you near them. Do you put up with it or move? Why? What would make you
stay or leave? (2 paragraphs)
XII. Act II, Scene III
1. Who is Karl Lindner? What does he offer them? Why? How does the family take it?
2. What news does Bobo bring Walter? How does the family react?
3. How does the lack of money affect each family member’s dreams, which seemed on the
verge of becoming reality?
XIII. Act III, Scene I
1. Describe Beneatha’s attitude after the family’s loss. How does Asagai try to explain her
situation to her? How does she react to his marriage proposal?
2. Whom does Walter call? What is his plan? Do you agree with it? Why or why not? Does
his family agree?
3. What does Walter ultimately tell Lindner? What do you think caused this change? How
could this be seen as the climax of the play?
XIV. Understanding the Themes
Although many of the themes were introduced prior to reading the play, during the reading it is
possible to deal with them in more depth. Assemble a small group with which you will work
together. Each small group should select a different theme to investigate and present to the class.
On a poster board, develop a flowchart highlighting examples of the theme from the beginning,
middle, and end of the play to present to the class. Specific citations should be highlighted.
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Selling out is always an option—but should be avoided.
A family’s strength can overcome many obstacles.
Conflicting expectations can lead to problems between people.
Love and trust prevail over deceit and selfishness.
Stereotyping and prejudice are always unfair.
Find a different theme if you can.
XV. Understanding Character
1. With a partner, pretend you are a producer and director who is auditioning actors for a
new film of A Raisin in the Sun. Make a list of the characteristics you would seek in
actors portraying each of the major characters. Include physical as well as personality
characteristics. Bring in photographs or drawings of each actor.
2. Pretend you are writing a sequel to A Raisin in the Sun, featuring the same characters. For
example:
 Walter Lee two years later. What has he done about the liquor store?
 Ruth and the new baby. Is she staying home?
 Lena and her family. Did she return to work for the Holidays? How is her garden
growing?
 Beneatha. Did she stay in school? Did she marry Asagai?
 Travis. How is he contributing to the family now?
 Mr. Lindner and the neighbors. Are they still hostile?
3. As part of the sequel, write a monologue (spoken dialogue expressing thoughts or
feelings) for one of the new characters facing a new challenge. Or write a monologue for
a scene from the first version of A Raisin in the Sun.
XVI. Characters’ Dreams
In the chart below, describe each character’s dreams and whether they were achieved by the end
of the play.
Character Name
Walter
Ruth
Beneatha
Lena (Mama)
Travis
Joseph Asagai
Dream
Was their dream achieved?