A Raisin in the Sun Characters

The flawed protagonist/main character. Wants to use the insurance money to open a liquor store.

• Walter Lee

• Travis

• Joseph Asagai

• George Murchison

Mama's daughter and Walter's sister. In college, and better educated than the rest of her family. She wants to be a doctor. She has had many hobbies.

• Beneatha

• Lena

• Ruth

• Gina

Walter and Beneatha's mother. She wants to use the insurance money to get a house in a better neighborhood. She worries about her family falling apart.

• Lena

• Beneatha

• Ruth

• Mrs. Jackson

Walter's wife and Travis's mother. She is caught in the middle of the fight over the money. Discovers she is going to have a baby and considers an abortion.

• Lena

• Ruth

• Beneatha

• Ms. Johnson

Walter and Ruth's young son. Eager to help his family. Plays outside with the rats. Sleeps on the sofa because there is no room.

• Walter

• George

• Joseph

• Travis

Nigerian student who is dating Beneatha. Proud of his African heritage, wants Beneatha to return to Nigeria with him.

• Travis

• Bobo

• Karl

• Joseph

Wealthy African-American man who courts Beneatha. He ignores his African culture and is becoming absorbed into the white culture, which makes him an assimilationist. He and Beneatha argue about this.

• George

• Joseph

• Karl

• Bobo

The only white character in the play. Tries to pay the Youngers NOT to move into an all white neighborhood.

• Bobo

• Travis

• Karl

• George

common; nothing special

• integration

• simple-minded

• assimilate

• undistinguished

to absorb fully or make one's own; to adopt as one's own; to adapt fully

• assimilate

• integration

• Coquettish

• simple-minded