Raisin in the Sun Notes

8/30/12 A Raisin in the Sun
Lena Younger aka Mama
Grandma age
Has 2 kids- adults, son-Walter Lee (mid30s), daughter Beneatha (college age)
Walter married to Ruth with a child named Travis
Ruth about 30 years old, very attractive in her younger years, stress and age are
effecting her looks.
Travis sleeps on the couch, elementary school age, doesn't always get enough sleep
because his dad entertains guests late in the living room where he needs to sleep.
All live in 1 apartment with 2 bedrooms and only a community bathroom to share with
the building.
Setting: late 1950s to 1960s, South Chicago, Illinois
8/31/12
Walter Lee very reluctant to get up in the morning: not motivated
Walter has “erratic speech pattern”: spouts off, or speaks before he thinks- not a very
warm person
He compliments Ruth “lookin good, oh wait, it’s gone” type comment.
He does not hold up Ruth’s decisions. He give gives his son, Travis, money when Ruth
has told him no.
Ruth has the job of getting everyone up each morning.
Ruth very strict and sticks to her guns. No means no!
There is a check coming in the mail from Walter Lee’s father’s life insurance. Walter
Senior died before the play began and some money will be given to the Younger family.
Walter Lee asks for anything but scrambled eggs, but Ruth cooks that for him anyway-
Shows disconnect in the relationship, poor communication, not listening, living out of
force of habit.
Newspaper article talks of recent bombings- possibly for racial unrest.
Ruth and Walter Lee dispute that Walter brings friends over to hang out in the living
room keeping their son, Travis, up late.

9/4-9/6/12 Raisin Notes
Beneatha wants to be a doctor
Pg 15 situational irony: Walter asks Ruth for money when he just gave Travis more
money than he needed.
"Lena" is momma's first name, woman in her 60s, full bodied, strong.
The plant is a symbol that represents mama.
Walter's dream is to own a liquor store- currently he is a chauffeur. His boss' name is Mr.
Arnold.
Ruth is a kind hearted person- she digs deep to love her husband even though he can
be mean to her. She even stands up for him to Lena. She is worried about him, that he
needs something to help him achieve some dreams.
The check that's coming is for $10,000 but it is rightfully Lena's money- Ruth says she
should travel and spoil herself. Lena plans to save some of it for Beneatha's college.
Ruth wakes up not feeling well. She cooks for people through an agency that schedules
her for a living.
The apartment aka "rat trap" has been lived in since Walter Sr. Lena has always
dreamed of owning a two story house. She knows that Travis would love the yard and
having his own bedroom for once.
Walter Sr. was hard headed, mean, and wild with the women- Was a good dad though.
He and Lena had a 3rd baby, Claude, which passed away.
Beneatha loves to try new things-horseback riding, guitar, play acting club etc. she is
very smart, realistic, scientific but has little hope or faith in religion. Casually dating
George Merchasin (very rich, but shallow)
Beneatha categorizes people based on color and wealth and says the only group more
snobbish than rich whites is rich colored families (because it is even more elite).
Beneatha’s nickname is Bennie.
Beneatha and Mama get into an argument about the use of God’s name and belief in
the house. Mama slaps Beneatha.
Ruth slumps to the floor at the end of the scene.
9/11/12
Saturday morning, the family cleans the house while Ruth "tends to an errand"
Willie Harris calls Walter and Walter goes to meet him.
Beneatha sprays the house with insecticide for roaches.
Travis waits outside watching for the postman.
Beneatha answers the phone again and invites Asagai over to the house.
Joseph Asagai, met Beneatha on campus, from Nigeria, studied in Canada all summer
Ruth returns home with the news that she is 2 months pregnant.
Travis comes into the house proud of his chasing and killing of a bloody rat.
Ruth covers Travis' mouth. He is stunned. She begins to sob.

9/12/12
Joseph and Beneatha talk about their relationship. Joseph is interested in becoming
more with her. She is more focused on education and succeeding in her goals. He
brings her gifts.
"assimilationist" when one person abandons their thoughts, feelings, or beliefs to follow
the crowd.
Alaiyo- (one for whom bread or food is not enough-she has a need for more knowledge
and experiences, she has many layers and curiosities) nickname Joseph gave to
Beneatha
Mama is very narrow minded and is more focused on how Beneatha can marry for
money (George Murchison) not compatibility (Joseph Asagai).
The check comes and mama asks them to count the zeros. She probably has very little
education.
Mrs. Johnson often borrows from the Younger family for household needs, but when
Mama's can of kitchen cleanser is "as empty as Jacob's kettle" (good example of a
simile and a biblical allusion) Mrs. Johnson does not allow them to borrow any from her.
Mama catches on that Ruth saw a different doctor than normal. Ruth seems distant
about the pregnancy. Mama tries to get Ruth to open up about her plans for the baby.
We can suspect Ruth is considering aborting the baby.
Mama tells Walter shes not giving him the money and that he needs to talk to his wife.
Ruth wants to talk to Walter, but Walter is too upset about the money.
Mama lectures him about his drinking and not taking care of his wife in the last few
years.
Walter believes the most important thing in life is money. Mama asks him if he's leaving
the family. Mama believes freedom is the most important part.
9/13/12
Mama tells Walter that Ruth is pregnant and she thinks Ruth might try to abort it. Ruth
comes into the room and verifies she is thinking about it. Mama doesn't want to lose a
2nd child to poverty. We can guess that money could've helped save Mama's 3rd child,
Claude.