Raisin In The Sun Litblogs

Mary Ann MacDonald
Period 5
August 22, 2012

Act 1 Scene 1

Summary: The story starts off with Ruth and Walter getting in a fight and Travis asks for fifty cents for school money. Walter wants to open up and invest in a liquor and everyone is excited about an upcoming paycheck,  Bennie wants to be a doctor and might have to use the money from Mama's paycheck to pay for college. Bennie says God isn't real and Mama slaps here and makes her say that God is real.

Quotation: "Mama, you don't understand. It's all a matter of ideas, and God is just one idea I don't accept. It's not important...It's just that I get tired of Him getting credit for all the things the human race achieves through its own stubborn effort... there is only man and it is he who makes miracles!" (51).

Quotation Significance: Bennie says this because she is frustrated she doesn't get credit for all her hard work and the things she does and she decides to blame God for this. She doesn't realize if she is determined and works hard she will succeed.

Reflection:  The Youngers seem tired, worn-down, and sad. Their house and their lifestyle shows this. Ruth feels especially depressed and tries not to rub it off on Travis but I think she does and Travis and Walter notice this. Walter is obsessed with money, and Ruth wants to help him but appears stand-offish. Bennie wants to be a doctor but she feels nothing is working out the way she wanted it to and no one understands.  Mama just wants a cute house with a garden she has always dreamed of. All in all, this is a sad family, but with hope for the future.

Discussion Question: Why does Ruth act like she doesn't care about Walter when she is with him and later ask favors for him from Mama?

Act 2 Scene 1

Summary: Walter and Ruth perform a ceremonial Nigerian dance and George walks in on them and makes fun of Ruth and gets angry at Walter when he says some comments about George's appearance.  Walter and Ruth talk about money and their relationship, and Mama walks in to tell them that she bought a house. Walter gets upset because the money wasn't put toward his dream.

Quotation: "You run our lives like you want to. It was your money and you did what you wanted with it. So what you need for me to say it was alright for? So you butchered up a dream of mine-you- who always talking 'bout your children's dreams..."(95).

Quotation Significance: After hearing that Mama bought a house, Walter is angry because his dream was to invest in something, and be someone. He wants to be different from all the other black people in this time. He wants to own something and prove he doesn't need his Mama around to help him.

Reflection: The stakes are even higher in this scene.  Some key things are announced about the characters' feelings and desires. Obviously, Beneatha wants her life to be different and wants to go back to her roots in Africa and is starting to feel angry towards George. Ruth feels helpless and she feels she can't help her family like she always wished she could. Mama buys them a house because this was her dream and she doesn't want Ruth to go through with the abortion.  Travis feels stressed and just wants the normal things everyday kids want.  Walter wants to help his family and making a living but he has to rely on Mama and this makes him upset. He doesn't want to tell Ruth to have an abortion but he is afraid there is no other choice.

Discussion Question:  Why doesn't Walter appreciate everything Mama and Ruth do for him?

Act 2 Scene 2

Summary:  Beneatha tells Mama she thinks George is a fool, and Mama actually agrees with her and Beneatha is deeply touched like this. Mrs. Johnson comes over and after she leaves with coffee and food, Walter walks in and the family finds out he hasn't been to work for three days. Mama gives him 3000 dollars for investing and 3000 to Beneatha for college, Walter is ecstatic and promises good times to Travis.

Quotation: "You just name it, son... and I hand you the world!"(109).

Quotation Significance:  Walter says this to Travis and he means that he will give everything in the world to Travis. He feels this way because Mama gave him money for his investment, finally Walter won't have a reason to be sad and he is so happy he will be able to help his family and be someone.

Reflection:  In this scene, Beneatha and Mama are finally starting to agree on something and there is hope for the family. Walter gets his investment money and Beneatha gets money for college, and the will soon be moving to Clybourne Park. Walter promises Travis  any school and job he wants and Ruth won't have to have an abortion. Beneatha feels great about Asagai but thinks that George is a fool and doesn't want everything to be about sexual attraction, but also about feelings. But George disagrees. Overall , emotions are improving in this family and they are looking forward to what the future will bring for them. 

Discussion Question:  Do you think the Youngers will be able to adjust to life in Clybourne Park?

Act 2 Scene 3

Summary: Walter and Ruth are dancing when a man named Mr. Lindner shows up and tells them he will give them the money for the house in Clybourne Park and some extra money for them to move to a different neighborhood. They refuse and Mama opens a gift of garden tools and a hat from the whole family. Bobo arrives telling him that Willy never showed up to go to Springfield to spread out their money before the get their liquor license, Willy stole all the money- including Beneatha's college money. Mama hits Walter and the scene ends with the whole family upset.

Quotation: "Strength!" (130).

Quotation Significance: Even though this quote  is only one word, this one word tells exactly what the Youngers need to have at this moment and what will save them. They need to have strength to move into the all-white neighborhood, to find out how to get their money back, and how to stay together as a family.

Reflection: After the money getting stolen and Mr. Lidner, the Youngers are pretty stressed about how the future and what will come. The Youngers are planning still to move to Clybourne park, but they are worried on how they will fit into the nieghborhood- especially because they are not wanted there. Travis doesn't know what has happened and he has been troubled with the tensions between his parents. Beneatha already has enough troubles with George and she just know discovered she has no money to go to college. Obviously, this is a hard time for the Youngers but I believe they will pull though it and make it out okay.

Discussion Question: How do you think the Youngers will adjust into life at Clybourne Park?