29.B: ARITS Act 3 Comprehension Questions (p. 131-151)

Instructions

Use pages 131-151 in your copy of "A Raisin in the Sun" to answer the following questions. Questions become more difficult as you progress through the sections.

Part 1: "Right There" Questions
These answers can answered by simply reading the play.

1

When Walter arrives back home, what does he say he has done? What does Walter plan to do?

1

What does Asagai ask Bennie to do?

1

What decision does Mama make at the beginning of Act 3 that impacts the family?

1

How does Beneatha react to Walter's plan in Act 3, and what does her reaction reveal about her character?

Part 2: Inference Questions
These questions can be answered by reading the play and making inferences using what you know about the world.

1

Why does Walter tell Lindner that Bennie will become a doctor even though he is against this idea at the beginning of the play?

1

What was the basis for Bennie's desire to become a doctor? What does this show about her character?

1

What is your opinion of Asagai’s dream for his life? What does it show about his character?

1

Why does Mama want Travis present when Walter speaks to Mr. Lindner?

1

What does Mama mean when she says that Walter finally “come into his manhood” on page 151?

1

Based on what you know about the father and the children, who is most like Big Walter (Mama's husband; Walter and Bennie's dad)? Explain your choice.

1

Why does Bennie compare progress to a circle on page 134?

1

Why does Asagai compare progress to an infinite line on page 134?

Part 3: Analysis Questions
These questions require you to think about what the author is trying to ~sneakily~ tell us with her words about life.

1

What does Mama mean when she tells Walter that if he takes Lindner’s money he will have nothing left inside?

1

Walter changes a lot as a person during Act 3. What leads to this change? What has finally made him change his mind?

1

Throwback: How did housing segregation and block busting in Chicago play a part in the Younger family's life?

1

Mama's plant is supposed to symbolize her hopes and dreams for her family. At the end of the book, Mama leaves and forgets her plant inside the apartment. However, she goes back inside to grab it as the scene ends.

What do you think this is supposed to symbolize?

Try your best!

1

What dream was deferred for the Younger family in this book?

Part 4: Your Thoughts!
These questions ask you to think about your own opinions of the book and characters. Be as honest as possible. There are no right or wrong answers! 

1

Who was your favorite character in the book? _______ 
Why was this your favorite character? _______ 

1

Which character did you like the LEAST? _______ 
What made you not like this character? _______ 

1

If this was your life, what choice would you have made for your family?

1

Explain your decision for questions #20:

1

How would you rate this book?

1

Part 1: "Right There" Questions

When Walter arrives back home, what does he say he has done? What does Walter plan to do?

What does Asagai ask Bennie to do?

What decision does Mama make at the beginning of Act 3 that impacts the family?

How does Beneatha react to Walter's plan in Act 3, and what does her reaction reveal about her character?

Part 2: Inference Questions

Why does Walter tell Lindner that Bennie will become a doctor even though he is against this idea at the beginning of the play?

What was the basis for Bennie's desire to become a doctor? What does this show about her character?

What is your opinion of Asagai’s dream for his life? What does it show about his character?

Why does Mama want Travis present when Walter speaks to Mr. Lindner?

What does Mama mean when she says that Walter finally “come into his manhood” on page 151?

Based on what you know about the father and the children, who is most like Big Walter (Mama's husband; Walter and Bennie's dad)? Explain your choice.

Why does Bennie compare progress to a circle on page 134?

Why does Asagai compare progress to an infinite line on page 134?

Part 3: Analysis Questions

What does Mama mean when she tells Walter that if he takes Lindner’s money he will have nothing left inside?

Walter changes a lot as a person during Act 3. What leads to this change? What has finally made him change his mind?

Throwback: How did housing segregation and block busting in Chicago play a part in the Younger family's life?

Mama's plant is supposed to symbolize her hopes and dreams for her family. At the end of the book, Mama leaves and forgets her plant inside the apartment. However, she goes back inside to grab it as the scene ends. What do you think this is supposed to symbolize? Try your best!

What dream was deferred for the Younger family in this book?

Part 4: Your Thoughts!

If this was your life, what choice would you have made for your family?

Explain your decision for questions #20:

How would you rate this book?

Explain your rating for this book from #22:

Mama's plant is supposed to symbolize her hopes and dreams for her family. At the end of the book, Mama leaves and forgets her plant inside the apartment. However, she goes back inside to grab it as the scene ends.

What do you think this is supposed to symbolize?

Try your best!