Name: Date: A Raisin in the Sun Comprehension Questions

Name:
Date:
A Raisin in the Sun
Comprehension Questions
 First Impressions- Please fill in the following boxes with specific details from the text and strong, clear analysis.
1st Action
Pg#
First Impression
RUTH
MAMA
WALTER
BENEATHA
 Self-Identity- One of the major themes of the play concerns how the characters see and treat themselves as opposed to
how an often hostile and uncaring society may see and treat them. Please identify how the following
characters see themselves (provide page number to reference a scene) as opposed to how society may
view them.
SELF-IDENTITY
Walter
Beneatha
Conflict
with each
other
Pg #
SOCIETY
 Please identify two significant passages in each act and describe your analysis and/or interpretation.
Act
Pg.#
Important Scenes / Information / Symbols
Thoughts / Feelings / Questions / Predictions
1
1
2
2
3
3
 Although they play minor roles, characters such as George Murchison, Willy Harris, and Mr. Lindner are very important.
Please explain how these characters may symbolize an idea against which the main characters struggle.
George Murchison 
Willy Harris 
Mr. Lindner
 How do power and authority change over the course of the play? Who wields power at the beginning, who does power
change to, and how does that change occur?
Power:
ExpositionWhy:
Power:
ResolutionWhy:
 Do you agree with Mama when she says that Walter has finally achieved his manhood? What is your opinion
of how Walter handled the situation. Use the M-E-A-L writing format to craft your answer.