A Raisin In The Sun Study Guide Act 1

-Friday South Side of Chicago has two bedrooms—one for Mama and Beneatha, and one for Ruth and Walter Lee. Travis sleeps on the couch in the living room. -The only window is in their small kitchen, and they share a bathroom in the hall with their neighbors. Beneatha gets up next and after discovering that the bathroom is occupied by someone from another family, engages in a verbal joust with Walter. -Walter wants to invest in a liquor store -Ruth faints

-Saturday -Cleaning waiting for check to come in -They meet Asagai -Check comes and walter asks about liquor store Him and his mom fight about it -She tells him ruth is pregnant -She made a downpayment on the abortion -He leaves the house

-Mama's son -Chauffeur -Wants to get his family out of poverty -Tries to get the money to open a liquor store -Desperate to make it

-Walter's Wife -House Keeper -Weary of the hard life -Pregnant -Wants to abort baby

Ruth and Walter's Son -Little boy by the age of 10 -Sleeps on the couch in the living room

-Walter's Sister -Wants to be a doctor -Is currently in college -Despises living in poverty -Wants to be on her own and be great

Mother to Walter and Beneatha; Grandmother to travis -Has a strong belief in God -Is the only positive and optimistic person of the family. -Tries to keep them all upbeat

-Walter's two closest friends -Comes up with the liquor store idea with him -All going into the store equally; $10,000 three ways.

-Nigerian Male -Goes to school with Beneatha -Has travelled the world -He tries to date Beneatha

-Wealthy African American Male -Has feelings for Beneatha and tries to get her to date him. -Beneatha describes him as snobby and shallow.