A Raisin In The Sun - Act I Summary

Act I. Scene I

The apartment is a small cramped space, and its furnishings are worn and torn, due to the age. There are two families right across from each other in a Jack and Jill fashion, (they have to share a bathroom).

The way the author describes the way all of them woke up in the morning. (Mama and Beneatha in one bedroom, Walter and Ruth in another, and Travis on the couch). The author also describes how the two families share a bathroom

The stress of living in poverty has changed her natural beauty into older, and more weary looks.

They can't get into the bathroom to get ready, and in turn, they become irritable

When Walter walks into the living room, he's thinking about the business deal with Bobo and Willy. He asks Ruth where the paper is.

Saturday

He's trying to be loving, but Ruth is trying to make sure that everybody's ready.

Travis asks for fift cents to take to school

Ruth is practical about money, since they are poor, and Walter just gives Travis $1.00

Walter has been thinking of the liquor store and the check. Ruth knows that it's a bad investment, and that Willy Harris is a bad man.

Walter thinks women should support their husbands.

"EAT YOUR EGGS." She's tired of it

They teased each other

Beneatha wants to be a doctor and go to Africa with Asagai to help children.

They've been helping Beneatha financially. She becomes hostile towards Walter, and the conversation ends when Beneatha mocks Walter and he storms out of the apartment.

Because he needs carfare (cash). He leaves.

She retrieves the plant, and it's a unique object because it represents Lena's dream of one having a house and a garden where she can grow flowers.

Mama wants to use the money to improve the conditions for her family.

Big Walter was a hard-working, devoted family man. He loved his children. Mama claimed that he worked himself to death because he wanted to get the family out of the situation that they were in.

Mama considered her faith to be the bedrock of her life. Mama slapped Beneatha after she claimed that she didn't believe in God.

Both are striving, and struggling, and they also have "spunk." It symbolizes her love for her children.

Act I, Scene II

Mama and Beneatha were cleaning the apartment

Beneatha invites Asagai to the apartment; she tells Mama not to ask ignorant questions about Africa.

She was at the doctor, and she was considering an abortion due to the fact that they already live in a small apartment and have money problems and it would be more challenging with a new baby.

Asagai gives Beneatha robes and music.

He represents black racial pride, and identity with noble African heritage. He calls her Alaiyo, which means "one for whom food is not enough." The gifts show he cares for Beneatha.

The check is worth $10,000. The reason why she becomes unhappy when she holds the check is because her husband (Big Walter) had to die before they could get the check.

He's only thinking about his own dream (the liquor store.)

Mama thinks that freedom is the most important thing in life, and Walter thinks that money is the most important thing in life.

She explains what the check is worth to him, and she also decides that they won't invest in a liquor store, and she also tells him that Ruth is expecting a baby.

She says he is a disgrace to hos father's memory. Walter does not try to convince Ruth not to have an abortion.