Act I, Scene I
Why does Ruth scramble Walter’s eggs, even though he says he does not want them scrambled? Ruth scrambles them without really thinking. She was a bit peeved because Walter got up that morning talking about the insurance check that was due to come the next day.
What does this indicate about their relationship and about whether or not they try to listen to one another? Their anticipation level is high because of the insurance check and they are both focused more on that at this time.
Why does Ruth tell Travis to get his mind off the money that is coming the next day? Much like his father, the first thing he says that morning has to do with the coming of the insurance check tomorrow What does this indicate about Travis?. He also is anticipating its arrival.
Why does Walter give his son money that he needs for school? To show pride that his family can afford to help out ‘poor negroes’. How does this leave Walter, in terms of money he himself needs in order to get to work? It was worth the sacrifice to see the joy in his son’s face, anticipating the change in their financial status once the insurance check comes, the next day. What does this indicate about Walter’s personality? He’s prideful.
Act 1 Scene 2
Which theme that has been raised before is referred to in the reference to roaches ‘marching….like Napoleon? Who was Napoleon? He was a general during the French Revolution. What relevance might references to him have for this play?
What issue in particular is alluded to when Beneatha says, “All everyone seems to know about when it comes to Africa is ‘Tarzan”? People know nothing about the culture and the people of Africa, how they live, the various tribes, their various religious ceremonies, etc. People seem to only know what they’ve seen in the movies as the boy who was raised by animals to become ‘Tarzan’.
What recurring theme is alluded to when Beneatha says, while talking about how missionaries save people, I’m afraid they need more salvation from the British and the French. African people and their culture.
Act II Scene I
1. What significance for their continued relationship do you think it has that Beneatha prepares to go to a play with George Murchison in the dress that Joseph Asagai got for her? She wanted to dress in African garb expressing her African interest but he wanted her to dress more acceptable for the white culture. He felt she would embarrass him in African garb.
2. What do you think has prompted Beneatha to cut her hair short and into an “Afro” hairstyle? She wanted to break away from the American style and associate more with the African style which includes their culture and dress
3. Do you think politics is the only reason Beneatha declares she hates assimilations? No. If not, what would another factor be? Racial prejudice.
4. What does it show about Ruth’s awareness of racial tensions that in a casual chat with George Murchison she refers to bombings? Though she was referring to how the bombings have affected the changing Chicago weather, she was also referring to the violence and destruction caused by racial tensions.
Act II Scene 2
1. What qualities do we see in George Murchison at the beginning of the scene that Beneatha might not like? Benetha does not seem to be interested in a romantic relationship with George. George, however, is interested in a romantic relationship with Beneatha.
2. Why does Beneatha refer to him as a fool, when speaking of him to her mother? He just wants to marry a simple, sophisticated girl that fits into the American white culture; she wants to find herself within her African ancestry.
3. When Mrs. Johnson says, I’m just soooooooo happy for y’all, do you think she is being honest or hypocritical. Definitely hypocritical. What later actions or words of hers either confirm or deny that she is speaking honestly here? When she speaks of a black family whose home was bombed after moving into a white neighborhood. She predicts the Younger’s will be scared of their new neighborhood. She insults them by calling them a ‘proud acting bunch of colored folks’
4. Why do Mama and Ruth roll their eyes before offering Mrs. Johnson the coffee? They know her intentions are not in their best interest.
Act 2 Scene 3
1. Why does Walter say, “Even the N double A C P take a holiday sometimes…?”
2. When Beneatha answers him, Sticks and stones may break my bones…’ What are we reminded of? A childhood saying means that words cannot hurt you.
3. Why do you think Karl Lindner goes to such lengths to talk about everybody getting along before he gets to his reason for talking to them? He wants to give the impression that everyone cares about each other and wants to get along with each other.
4. Who catches on first to what his purpose in talking to them is about? Beneatha. How do you know? Beneatha kept asking queestions trying to get him to be specific while Walter Lee and Ruth were trying to listen to him beat around the bush.
Act 3
1. What do you think accounts for Beneatha's deep pessimism at the beginning of the act?She no longer believes she can help people as a doctor demanding african amereican equality and freeing Africans - now she is depressed abut overall human misery.Do you think it is all because of the lost money: No, it 's because of Mr. Litner's visit and realizing no matter how they may try to move up and live the 'good life' they will always be disliked just because of their skin color.
2. What qualities do we see in Joseph Asagai which enables him to breakthrough Beneatha's mood to consider her own self-pity? Giving her his dream of how she can change Africa by coming back 'home' to Nigeria with him and make changes there with him.
3. Reading between the lines, so to speak, what does it say about whether or not Beneatha has really given up on medical school, when she refers, even mockingly, to curing 'the great sore of Colonialism.. with the Penicillin of Independence..That her dream of becoing a doctor and having an impact on American is not dead to her..
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