English 9

(Lesson 1)
Mama wants to buy a house to fulfill a
Story: dream she shares with her husband. Mama's
A Raisin in the Sun son, Walter Lee, would rather use the money
to invest in a liquor store with his friends.
By Lorraine Hansberry
He believes that the investment will solve
the family's financial problems forever.

Characters: Walter’s wife, Ruth, agrees with Mama.

However, she hopes that she and Walter can
Lena Younger (Mama) – matriarch provide more space and opportunity for their
(widowed) son, Travis. Finally, Benetha, Walter’s Sister
Walter Younger (Old Walter) – Lena’s and Mama’s daughter wants to use the
money for her medical school tuition. She
husband (dead)
also wishes that her family members were
Walter Lee Younger – Son of Lena and not so interested in Joining the white world.
Walter; 35 years old; has a wife (Ruth) and However, Ruth discovers that she is
son (Travis) pregnant but fears that if she has the child,
Ruth Younger – Wife of Walter Lee she will put more financial pressure on her
Younger; in her early thirties; works as a family members. When Walter says nothing
maid to help make money to Ruth’s admission that she is considering
Travis Younger – 10-year-old son of Walter abortion, Mama puts a down payment on a
Lee and Ruth house for the whole family. She believes that
Beneatha (Bennie) Younger – Daughter of a bigger dwelling will help them all.
Lena and Walter; 20 years old; college
student (challenges notions of race and When their future neighbors find out
gender). that the Youngers are moving in, they send
Karl Linder – a white man who is a Mr. Linder, from the Clybourne Park
representative from the Clybourne Park Improvement Association to offer the
Improvement Association Youngers money in return for staying away.
Willy Harris – Fellow investor in Walter’s The Youngers refuse the deal, even after
liquor business Walter loses the rest of the money to his
friend Willy Harris, who persuades Walter to
invest in the liquor store and then runs off
with his cash.
Summary:
The Youngers eventually move out of
The story starts in South Side, Chicago the apartment, fulfilling the family’s
at the house of the Youngers family. The long-held dream. Their future seems
Youngers are about to receive an insurance uncertain and slightly dangerous, but they
check for $10,000. This money comes from are optimistic and determined to live a better
the deceased Mr. Younger's life insurance life. They believe that they can succeed if
policy. Each of the adult members of the they stay together as a family and resolve to
family has an idea as to what he or she defer their dreams no longer.
would like to do with this money.