Name: Jonny Renk Due Date: April 24

Reading: A Raisin in the Sun Class: English 11 Honors

Key Moments (creative titles for important events in the text)

1. Aspirations of the Youngers 4. Race in America 7. A Life Worth Living

2. Gender Roles 5. A Sense of Unity

3. The Value of Money 6. Lessons Learned

Key Quotations (discussions of important language drawn from the Key Moments)

Quotation and Citation Technique​ and ​Effect​ (​noun​ and v​ erb phrase​) Notes (commentary about the quotations)

1. “Well – I do – all right? – thank everybody! Beneatha is using sarcasm to suggest the Beneatha is very confident in her dreams of
And forgive me for ever wanting to be anything irony of Walter believing that her dream of becoming a doctor, but Walter, who is
at all! FORGIVE ME, FORGIVE ME, FORGIVE becoming a doctor is unrealistic. supposed to be supportive as an older sibling,
ME!” - Beneatha does not share the same enthusiasm. This
could later create a rift between the siblings.

2. “…Big Walter used to say… "Seem like God
didn’t see fit to give the black man nothing but
dreams – but He did give us children to make
them dreams seem worth while." - Mama
Walter’s father is symbolic for the sacrifices
mothers and fathers often make for their
families.
Mama agrees with the her husband’s
statement that family makes any struggle
worth fighting through. Throughout the story, it
is clear that Mama cares more about the future
of the family than her own personal dreams.

3. “Man say to his woman: I got me a dream.
His woman say: Eat your eggs. Man say: I got
to take hold of this here world, baby! And a
woman will say: Eat your eggs and go to
work.” - Walter
Walter uses repetition and tone to underline
his annoyance and frustration with his wife.
Walter not only accuses Ruth, but all women in
modern society of holding back men in their
family. It also implies that the man is the one
that has dreams and chases them, while
women are more docile and submissive.

4. “It ain’t much, but it’s all I got in the world Lorraine Hansberry uses irony in this scene to Even though Mama is the oldest in the family
and I’m putting it in your hands. I’m telling you critique gender roles in society. (and also most likely the wisest), she still
believes that Walter deserves to be the head
to be the head of this family from now on like
you supposed to be.” - Mama
5. “Ten thousand dollars. (She hands it to
RUTH) Put it away somewhere, Ruth. Ten
thousand dollars they give you. Ten thousand
dollars.” - Mama
6. “Shallow - what do you mean he’s shallow?
He’s rich! Well... what other qualities a man got money as the most important trait in a man,
to have to satisfy you, little girl?” - Ruth
7. Mama: “Oh - So now it’s life. Money is life.
Once upon a time freedom used to be
life—now it’s money. I guess the world really
do change…”
Walter: “No—it was always money, Mama. We
just didn’t know about it.”
8. “Most of the trouble exists because people
just don’t sit down and talk to each other…
That we don’t try hard enough in this world to
understand the other fellow’s problem. The
other guy’s point of view.” -Lindner
9. “Mama - sometimes when I’m downtown
and I pass them cool-quiet-looking restaurants
where them white boys are sitting back and
talking ‘bout things… sitting there turning deals
Mama repeats the amount of money she gets
from her husband's life insurance to suggest
that she is in deep thought about something
else.
The author uses irony in this scene to depict
which also conforms to the stereotype that the
quality of a person depends on their wealth.
The dialogue between these characters
happens early in the play, and reveals their
financial struggles. It also illustrates the
differences between their generations.
The author uses dramatic irony here to
demonstrate the flawed logic and deceit of the
white salesman.
Walter displays feelings of jealousy towards
more successful white men, which suggests he
believes they are successful because of their
race.
of this family because he is a man and feels
guilty for not allowing this sooner. This
illustrates the age gap in the characters, and
her old-fashioned view of gender roles in
society. This could also suggest the reasoning
of why she doesn't believe Beneatha could be
a doctor.
After Mama receives the much anticipated life
insurance money, she seems unhappy and
distraught. It can be interpreted that Mama no
longer cares about the money, and that the
family cares more about the money than the
loss of her husband.
Ruth explains that wealth is one of the most
important traits when looking for a relationship.
This is representative of the stereotype that
women are only attracted by wealth, and
nothing else matters.
The change in mindset between these
generations is shown by what they value most.
While Mama was growing up, freedom was the
most important thing. However, because
Walter has always had freedom, he does not
see the same value in it and instead believes
wealth is the most important thing in life.
This statement is ironic because he is asking
the Youngers to take the point of view of the
white family that wants segregation instead of
the white family taking the point of view of the
struggling Youngers.
Walter sees himself in these young, wealthy
white businessmen and it tortures him to think
of himself as less successful than them. Walter
believes that wealth determines someone’s
worth millions of dollars… sometimes I see success, so he must be a failure if he is poor.
guys don’t look much older than me.” - Walter

10. “No - there’s something come down
between me and them that don’t let us
understand each other and I don’t know what it
is. One done almost lost his mind thinking
‘bout money all the time and the other done
commence to talk about things I can’t seem to
understand in no form or fashion. What is it
that’s changing, Ruth?” - Mama
Mama begins to realize the difference in
mindsets between herself and her children,
creating a rift between the characters.
Mama implies that the sense of unity in the
family is disappearing due to their current
situation. Everyone is so preoccupied with their
own troubles, like Walter and his business
ideas, that they no longer behave like a close
knit family.

11. “Mama, something is happening between
Walter and me. I don’t know what it is – but he
needs something – something I can’t give him
anymore. He needs this chance, Lena.” -Ruth
Ruth begs Mama on Walter’s behalf, which
illustrates to the reader how much she cares
about Walter, even if she doesn't agree with
his ideas.
Even when Walter isn't present in the
conversation, Ruth explains to Mama the
problems in their relationship in detail. This is
ironic because Ruth realizes how unhappy
Walter is with his life, but can do nothing to
change it without hurting the rest of the family.

12. “There is always something left to love.
And if you ain’t learned that, you ain’t learned
nothing.” - Mama
Mama’s constant advice and disciplinary
language in the story is a symbol for the
wisdom of parents and elders.
Even during the darkest of times, Mama’s
hope shines through and gives the Youngers a
lesson about life they will not forget. This is
continued in the Aesthetic Considerations
section.

13. “The lights dim down. The door opens and The stage directions and events at the ending Even after all of the chaos and conflicts that
she comes back in, grabs her plant, and goes of the play are metaphorical for the struggles happened to the Younger family, Mama’s plant
out for the last time.” of the family. represents an unbroken spirit of hope.

14. “It means ... it means One for Whom Asagai’s African name for Beneatha is This name is symbolic of the Youngers
Bread—Food—Is Not Enough.” - Asagai symbolic of the desires of the main characters. aspirations to do more than just merely survive
- but to prosper.

Aesthetic Considerations (discussions of the beauty, impact, power of brief passages from the text)

1. Mama’s consistent support and lessons are what get the Youngers’ through their daily struggles. She is the metaphorical glue that holds this
family together, and without her, they would most likely clash constantly. Mama is the embodiment of unwavering hope and spirit in times of
hopelessness, and this is exactly what the family needs. Her powerful words of wisdom remind the Youngers of the most important things in life -
love and family.
2. The Youngers are a very prideful family during a time of injustice. The impact of their pride on their actions is immense, considering they have
little else to their name. However, they constantly keep their dignity and beliefs intact, even when there are easier things to do. This is illustrated
at the end of the play. It would most likely be much easier to take the money from the salesman and continue on with their lives, but instead, they
keep their pride and move to the house in the white neighborhood.

3. The main conflicts in this story arise from the lack of communications about the families choices. Each member of the family is very
independent and self driven, and while these are normally positive traits, they can lead to disagreements about certain choices. Mama’s choice to
buy the house was completely her own, and she chose not to communicate with her family. Other choices include Ruth’s down payment on her
abortion, Walter’s business investment, and Beneatha’s love interests. If the family had communicated more with eachother, many of the
arguments and strained relationships could have been avoided.

Figurative and Connotative Language Considerations (discussions of the nuances of the author’s expression)

1. Lorraine Hansberry uses figurative and connotative language in A Raisin in the Sun to underline the deeper messages in the play. What could
be seen as a play about a struggling family making a financial decision can also be interpreted as a shining example of injustice in a
discriminatory society.

2. The insurance money can be seen as a symbol of hope, but also despair in the play. In the beginning, the author uses it as a very repetitive
symbol for the happiness and prosperity of the family. It is all the characters can talk about, suggesting how little they have and how desperately
they need it. However, as the play progresses, the money only causes more and more problems and conflicts for the Youngers. What was once a
beacon of opportunity becomes a symbol of the distance and hostility between the family.

3. The title of the play is a line from the poem Harlem by Langston Hughes - “What happens to a dream deferred? Does it dry up like a raisin in
the sun?” It is titled this because of the multitude of “dreams deferred” that we experience in the play, and ultimately, a dream that is achieved.

Tonal Considerations (discussions of the tone of the text)

1. The tone of the text differs depending on the current emotions of the characters, mainly Walter. If Walter is angry or upset, the tone becomes
more aggressive and threatening. However, when the family is hopeful and happy, the tone is more lighthearted and cheerful.

2. At times, the tone can become ironic and satirical. This can be interpreted when the Younger family is talking with Mr. Lindner. Mr Lindner
explains how the Youngers should try to take the point of view of the white families that don't want them in the new neighborhood. The audience
can easily sense the irony in the way the characters speak in this scene.

3. Ultimately, Lorraine Hansberry uses different tones throughout the play to show the contrast between the situations experienced by an African
American family during this time. The rapid shifts in tone are representative of the changes taking place in society during this time regarding race
and discrimination.