A Raisin in the Sun Quotes

"Baby, don't nothing happen for you in this world 'less you pay somebody off."

• Mama

• Walter

• Beneatha

• Ruth

Which of the following quotes best supports your answer to the previous question about Mama's dream?

• 1. RUTH. “You know what you should do, Miss Lena? You should take yourself a trip somewhere. To Europe or South America or someplace—” (Hansberry 43) 

• 1. MAMA. “(After him) Lord, that’s a pretty thing just went out here! (Insinuatingly, to her daughter) Yes, I guess I see why we done commence to get so interested in Africa ’round here. Missionaries my aunt Jenny!” (Hansberry 66) 

• 1. MAMA. “...Been thinking that we maybe could meet the notes on a little old two story somewhere, with a yard where Travis could play in the summertime…” (Hansberry 44) 

• 1.  MAMA. “I’m looking at you. You a good-looking boy. You got a job, a nice wife, a fine boy and—” (Hansberry 73)

Imagine you're in a story! Mama just looked at a check and her face fell. Can you guess why she might be feeling so down?

• 1. Could it be because the check isn't as hefty as she hoped?

• 1. Or maybe the sight of the check brings back memories of Big Walter’s death?

• 1. Perhaps she's just realized that Beneatha’s school fees are out of her reach?

• 1. Or did she suddenly realize that she never really wanted the money in the first place?

Let's dive into the world of literature! Can you tell what this quote discloses about Beneatha? And how do readers get this information?

• Does this quote suggest that Beneatha lacks education, and we get to know this through her dialogue?

• Or does this quote hint that Beneatha is highly educated, and the narration provides us with details about her personality?

• Maybe this quote indicates that Beneatha is rude, and her actions described in the narration reveal this?

• Or could this quote imply that Beneatha is not scholarly, and her looks described in the narration give us this clue?

Let's dive into the world of literature! Can you tell what this quote discloses about Mama's character? And how do you think this insight is shared with the readers?

• Does it openly portray Mama as a weak individual?

• Does it hint that Mama lacks substance?

• Does it clearly depict Mama as a strong and influential woman?

• Does it suggest that Mama is uncertain about herself?

Which of the following quotes from Act I of A Raisin in the Sun highlights the social issue of gender roles/expectations?

• "Child, when do you think is the time to love somebody the most? When they done good and made things easy for everybody?"

• WALTER (Not listening at all or even looking at her) This morning, I was lookin’ in the mirror and thinking about

  it ... I’m thirty-five years old; I been married eleven years

  and I got a boy who sleeps in the living room—(Very,

  very quietly)—and all I got to give him is stories about

  how rich white people live ...

• "Eat your eggs, they gonna be cold."

• WALTER (Straightening up from her and looking off) That’s it. There you are. Man say to his woman: I got me a

  dream. His woman say: Eat your eggs. (Sadly, but

  gaining in power) Man say: I got to take hold of this here

  world, baby! And a woman will say: Eat your eggs and go

  to work. (Passionately now) Man say: I got to change my

  life, I’m choking to death, baby! And his woman say—(In

  utter anguish as he brings his fists down on his thighs) —Your eggs is getting cold!

Read the passage. What do Walter's stage directions (in italics) indicate his character?

• He is indifferent about the money coming in the mail today.

• He is questioning his decision to marry Ruth.

• He is preoccupied with his dream and the thought of the money coming in the mail that day.

• He doesn't care about what Ruth is telling him at this moment.

Let's dive into this passage! Can you figure out what it tells us about Travis' character?

• 1. Does it reveal that he feels disconnected from his family?

• 1. Does it highlight his innocence as the youngest member of the family?

• 1. Does it suggest that he gets easily confused?

• 1. Does it imply that he's not that important to the story?

Read the interaction between Mama and Walter. What differences in their characters does this conflict highlight?

• 1. Mama and Walter enjoy arguing with each other.

• 1. Mama is understanding of others (or at least tries to be) while Walter is selfish.

• Mama is very selfish while Walter is trying to understand her.

• What difference? There is no conflict; Mama and Walter have the same motivation.

Which character in 'A Raisin in the Sun' says, 'Man say: I got to change my life, I’m choking to death, baby!'?

• Mama

• Walter

• Beneatha

• Ruth