1. A Raisin in the Sun by Lorraine Hansberry
Vocabulary
Acts I,II,III

2. Vocabulary List2 V6 undistinguished-common; nothing special
exasperated-irritated; provoked; irked
viciously-with violence or fury
vindicated-cleared of blame, suspicion, or doubt
proposition-suggested plan

3. Vocabulary, continued2
6. vengeance-violent getting back at someone; revenge
7. tentatively- uncertainly; not sure of oneself
8. furtively-expressing hidden motives
9. futile-totally useless
10. tyrant-ruler who governs in a harsh, cruel manner.

4. Study Guide Questions* Act I Scene One CN6
1. Why did Walter ask Ruth what was wrong with her?
2. Why was Ruth upset when Walter gave Travis the money?
3. Who are Willy and Bobo?
4. Walter said, “Damn my eggs…damn all the eggs that ever was!” Why?

5. Act I Scene 1 5. Who is Beneatha?
6. Why is Mama getting a check for $10,000?
7. Why does Beneatha say she won’t marry George?
8. What was Beneatha’s attitude towards God?
What happened to Ruth at the end of Act I Scene 1?

6. Act I Scene 2 1. Who is Joseph Asagai?
2. What did Ruth find out at the doctor’s?
3. Why is Asagai’s present to Beneatha appropriate?
4. Why is Asagai’s nickname appropriate?

7. Act I Scene 2 5. What does Mama say is “dangerous”?
6. Where did Ruth actually go instead of the doctor?
7. Why did Mama call Walter a “disgrace” to his daddy’s memory?

8. Vocabulary List A Raisin in the Sun, Act II 2
1. coquettishly-in a flirting manner
2. arrogant-overbearing, proud, haughty
3. eccentric-not usual; out of the
ordinary; odd
4. oppressive-keeping someone down unjustly or by cruelty.
5. cliche-an overused expression or idea.

9. Vocabulary, Act II, con’t.2
6. sarcastically- implying something opposite to the true meaning
7. plaintively-expressed with sorrow or despair
8. menacingly-expressed in a threatening manner

10. Act I, Scene1 Using Prior Knowledge and Clues
Its furnishings are typical and undistinguished.
The boy gives her an exasperated look for her lack of understanding and eats grudgingly.
Travis jabs his spoon into his cereal bowl viciously.
…the mood has changed and he is vindicated,…
This ain’t no fly-by-night propostition, baby. I mean we figured it out.

11. She closes the door with a sleepy vengeance…
She waits several seconds, trying to make up her mind…and looks at Ruth a little tentatively.
Studying her mother-in-law furtively and concentrating on her ironing…
Dropping her hands in a futile gesture…
Everybody thinks it’s all right for Mama to be a tyrant.