Study Questions & Essay Topics
Study Questions
1. What are the
dreams of the main characters—Mama, Ruth, Beneatha, and Walter—and
how are they deferred?
2. What does
Mama’s plant represent, and how does the symbol evolve over the
course of the play?
3. How does
the description of the Youngers’ apartment contribute to the mood
of the play?
Suggested Essay Topics
1. How does the idea of assimilationism
become important?
2. Discuss the title of the play.
How does it relate to the dreams of each of the characters?
3. Think about the role of money
in the play. How does it affect different characters?
4. How do power and authority
change hands over the course of the play?
5. Discuss how minor characters
such as George Murchison, Willy Harris, and Mr. Lindner represent
the ideas against which the main characters react.
6. What sort of statement does
Hansberry seem to be making about race? Does she make more than
one statement? If so, do these statements conflict with each other?
