I Notice/I Wonder Log for Close Reading: A Raisin in the Sun

Name: Aadit Gupta

Signpost Anchor Questions

I notice: Contrasts and I wonder: why is the character doing that? Why would they act/feel
Contradictions this way

I notice: an Aha Moment I wonder: how might this realization change things?

I notice: Tough Questions I wonder: why is the character asking this question? What does this
question make me wonder about?

I notice: Words of the I wonder: what is the life lesson and how might this affect the
Wiser character?

I notice: Again and Again I wonder: why does this keep showing up again and again?

I notice: a Memory I wonder: why might this memory be important?

Moment

Setting: South Side Chicago

Time: “Sometime between World War II and the present.”

Signpost I Location and Quotation Response to Anchor

Noticed Question I Wonder About

Memory Pg 23 This signifies the importance of the

moment furniture brought into the Younger’s
“The furnishings of this room were home and how much time had passed
actually selected with care and love since they were living in the same
and even hope---and brought to abode, pointing out that they have a
this apartment and arranged with poor financial status.
taste and pride.”

Contrasts and Pg 24 I wonder how Ruth was affected by several

contradictions problems in life at such a young age and
“RUTH is about thirty. We can see what happened to her before her thirties
that she was a pretty girl, even which made her disappointed in life as if
exceptionally so, but now it is there was no hope in it?
apparent that life has been little that
she expected, and disappointment
has already begun to hang in her
 face.”

Contrasts and Pg 30-31 I wonder why Ruth does not give Travis the
Contradictions money when he reiterated that he is
“WALTER: Well, let him go … “ obliged to bring it to school, according to
“TRAVIS (Quickly, to the ally) I have his teacher. Is their financial condition that
to---she won’t gimme the fifty cents bad? Even though Walter gives him the
…” money, does this signify that Ruth does not
“WALTER (To his wife only) Why not?” want to spend the family’s money for petty
“RUTH (Simply, and with flavor) reasons, even if it is a mere fifty-cent coin?
‘Cause we don’t have it.”
“WALTER (To RUTH only) What do
you tell the boy things like that for?
(Reaching down into his pants with a
rather important gesture) Here, son
--- (He hands the boy the coin, but his
eyes are directed to his wife’s. TRAVIS
takes the money happily)

Tough Pg 32 I wonder why Walter asked this question to

Question “WALTER (Rising and coming to her Ruth? Does he endeavor to get something
and standing over her) You tired ain’t out of his wife by interrogating her in such
you? Tired of everything. Me, the boy, a way or is he trying to emotionally
the way we live--- this beat-up hole--- blackmail her so that she starts to support
everything. Ain’t you? (She doesn’t him again regardless of what he aims to
look up, doesn’t answer) So tired --- do? This could also mean that Walter
moaning and groaning all the time, knows the pain that she is going through or
but you wouldn’t do anything to help, he is just using that pain as an advantage
would you? You couldn’t be on my for his wife’s support.
side that long for nothing, could you?”

Again and Pg 33-34 Walter was annoyed by the fact that

Again whenever he wanted to talk to Ruth about
“WALTER (Straightening up from her something, whether it was his plan to
and looking off) THat’s it. THere you succeed, motivation, or even a plea that he
are… Your eggs is getting cold needed to change his life for all of them,
the only reply he would get was, “Eat your
eggs”. This frustrated Walter because to
him it seemed like Ruth had minimal
interest in what he wanted to say and
always avoided his topics of discussion
because to her they were aimless.
Aha Moment Pg 37 Why does Walter bring this up? Beneatha
has been working hard in her studies so
“WALTER It ain’t that nobody expects that she can be a doctor and support her
you … for two semesters--- family financially while helping other
people too but Walter is not understanding
the fact that becoming a doctor takes a
long time. This makes me realize that
Walter is not considering how hard
Beneatha is working and thinks that
whatever she is doing is worthless.

Contrasts and Pg 40 I wonder why Lena and Ruth differ on

contradictions whether Travis is putting in effort in his
“MAMA Lord have mercy, look at that chores? Lena thinks that he is or he is
poor bed … RUTH No--- he don’t half trying his best at least while Ruth
try at all … spoiled that boy so.” contradicts and says that he is not
responsible at all because he knows that
there are people to clean up after him. This
makes me wonder why Lena is
continuously defending her grandson when
it is evident that he needs to learn to clean
after himself.

Words of the Pg 41 This shows how religious Mama Lena is as

Wiser she adapts her religion to almost every
“MAMA Now don’t you start, child. situation and is a devout follower of
It’s too early in the morning to be Christianity. Her loyalty to her religion
talking about money. It ain’t shows us how wise she is despite her age
Christian.” as her old age means that she has
experienced several incidents in life which
makes her say the preceding quote.

Words of the Pg 45 It seems as if Ruth speaks from experience

Wiser when she gives a spark of her wisdom to
“RUTH Yes, life can be a barrel of Lena to cheer her up. Does this mean that
disappointments, sometimes.” Ruth has had her fair share of
disappointments too?

Contrast and Pg 46 These lines demonstrate the ideological

COntradictions differences between their generations. This
Mama: Oh—So now it’s life. helps add on to what has been talked
 Money is life. Once upon a time about throughout the play, where Mama’s
freedom used to be life—now it’s views are at odds with Walter’s and
money. I guess the world really Benetha’s views. These lines also suggest
does change . . . how for Walter, money is the truest
Walter: No—it was always money, freedom who feels enslaved by his job and
Mama. We just didn’t know about life.
it.
Mama: No . . . something has
changed. You something new, boy.
In my time we was worried about
not being lynched . . . You ain’t
satisfied or proud of nothing we
done. I mean that you had a home;
that we kept you out of trouble till
you was grown; that you don’t
have to ride to work on the back of
nobody’s streetcar—You my
children—but how different we
done become.

Contrasts and Pg 48 I wonder if Beneatha has a deep liking for

Contradictions George, or is she still confused about him?
“BENEATHA Oh--- I like George all Is George not good enough or is Beneatha
right, Mama. I mean I like him enough just passing his time with him to figure out
to go out with him and stuff, but---” what kind of a partner she wants?

Aha Moment Pg 51 This shows that Beneatha is quite different

from her family as she does not have a firm
“BENEATHA Mama, you don’t belief in God and believes that whatever is
understand … and it is he who makes done is because of mankind’s hard work.
miracles! This also shows the difference in two
generations' ideology.

Contrasts and Pg 56 I wonder why Lena assumes that Asagai is

Contradictions the type of person who would judge them
“MAMA (Who has listened vigorously, just by looking at how the Younger’s home
as is her habit) Who is that you looks like. In fact, her assumption
inviting over here with this house contradicts the reality that Asagai is an
looking like this? You ain’t got the individual who thinks intellectually rather
pride you was born with!” than stereotypically.
“BENEATHA Asagai doesn’t care how
 houses look, Mama --- he’s an
intellectual.

Aha Moment Pg 57 This quote depicts how the author includes

international politics in the play and ideally
“BENEATHA I’m afraid they need states that Black people need to be treated
more salvation from the British and fairly not only in America, where the
the French.” author lived but everywhere around the
world. This makes the audience and the
reader realize the oppression Black people
face.

Again and Pg 58 I wonder why Beneatha is repeatedly

again asking whether the pregnancy was planned
“BENEATHA Did you mean to? I mean or not? It does not directly affect her at all.
did you plan it or was it an accident?” Maybe she worries about the wellbeing of
“MAMA WHat do you know about the baby as the family’s financial status
planning or not planning?” may make it difficult for them to support
“BENEATHA Oh, Mama.” another individual.
“RUTH (Wearily) She’s twenty years
old, Lena.”
“BENEATHA Did you plan it, Ruth?”
“RUTH Mind your own business.”

Aha Moment Pg 61-63 I wonder why Asagai points out to

Beneatha that her hair does not look
“ASAGAI … You wear it well … very natural? Maybe because he wants
well … your mutilated hair and all.” Beneatha to embrace her African heritage
“ASAGAI (Still teasing and reaching and not mutilate her hair so that she looks
out and taking her face in his hands more like the people who live in her
and turning her profile to him) Well… society. He endeavours to stop Beneatha to
it is true that this is not so much of a become an assimilationist. This is where
profile of a Hollywood queen as the author depicts how some Black people
perhaps a queen of the Nile--- (A would forget their heritage to be accepted
mock dismissal of the importance of by the society they live in and Hansberry
the question) But what does it matter? tackles the issue using Asagai.
Assimilationism is so popular in your
country”

Aha Moment Pg 67-68 This makes me realize how the check plays
a major role in this play as it is mentioned
(The bell sounds suddenly and sharply quite a few times and everyone in the
 and all three are stunned --- serious family converses about it exuberantly. Its
and silent ---- mid-speech. In spite of arrival clearly thrills them as it would
all the other conversations and financially help them in multiple ways,
distractions of the morning, this is ending several of their dire problems.
what they have been waiting for, even
TRAVIS who looks helplessly from his
mother to his grandmother. RUTH is
the first to come to life again)

“RUTH That’s a whole lot different

from having it come and being able to
hold it in your hands … a piece of
paper worth ten thousand dollars…”

Contrasts and Pg 69 I wonder why Lena does not want to spend

Contradictions the money for her own good and is only
“MAMA (Not looking at her) I spec if it willing to spend it for her family? Does she
wasn’t for you all … I would just put not want to have a better living standard or
that money away or give it to the does she want to achieve the favor of God
church or something.” by committing virtuous acts?

Tough Pg 73 This makes me wonder whether it is

Question Walter’s fault that he is always conflicted
“WALTER (Beseechingly) Then why or does he feel vexed because his family
can’t there never be no peace in this disagrees with him which does not let him
house then?” have peace in his house?

Memory Pg 73 This memory recalled by Walter signifies

Moment “WALTER A job. (Looks at her) Mama, that he is not satisfied with his job and is
a job? I open and close car doors all ashamed of working as a chauffeur as he
day long. I drive a man around in his thinks that it is not a real job.
limousine and I say, “Yes, sir; no, sir;
very good, sir; shall I take the Drive,
sir?” …”

Contrasts and Pg 74-75 I wonder why Ruth wants to get rid of the
contradictions baby. Maybe it is because she feels that her
“MAMA Son --- do you know your relationship with Walter is in jeopardy as
wife … getting rid of that child.” he does not care about her as he did
before. She may feel that this would be the
best way to save their relationship,
 regardless of losing the happiness of having
another child.

Again and Pg 78-79 I wonder why this chant is repeated by

Again Beneatha for multiple instances as if she is
“BENEATHA OCOMOGOSIAY” endeavoring to act like a Nigerian woman
welcoming hunters back to her village. It
must have some significance as Beneatha
and Walter exchange dialogue using this
chant. Maybe, Beneatha is attempting to
show her heritage’s pride by
enthusiastically repeating this chant.

Contrasts and Pg 80 I wonder why George does not like

Contradictions Beneatha’s new hairstyle? What reason
“GEORGE (To BENEATHA) Look does he have for disliking her hairstyle? I
honey… so go change, huh? believe there should not be a problem as
Benetha is just expressing her heritage.

Words of the Pg 81 Beneatha proves that she is honored by her

Wiser heritage and is willing to protect it at all
“BENEATHA GRASS HUTS! … were still costs from any defamation it faces. She is
tattooing themselves with blue proud of her ancestry showing how
dragons.” rightfully she thinks about them. This
proves how Hansberry promotes the
contribution of black people in history.

Contrasts and Pg 82 I wonder why Walter attempts to boast

Contradictions about going to New York when, in reality,
“WALTER Plenty of times” he has never been there. Is this his attempt
to try to achieve respect with people of
higher socioeconomic status?

Aha Moment Pg 85 This makes me realize that Walter feels

alone and isolated because he has no
“WALTER (Violently) No! ‘Cause ain’t moral support for his ideas. His intention is
nobody with me! Not even my own purely for the benefit of his family which is
mother.” why he expected some sort of support
because he believed that his family was
going to be the first ones to do so.
Words of the Pg 86 This is a clever addition of Greek mythology
Wiser “GEORGE Good night, Prometheus.” by Hansberry as she compares Walter to
Prometheus, who is known for being a
clever trickster. Therefore, she compares
Walter’s wit to Prometheus’ while
incorporating humor simultaneously.

Tough Pg 88 This shows Walter and Ruth’s deteriorating

Question “RUTH What else can I give you relationship as their financial status is
Walter Lee Younger?” scarce. Ruth still wants to do the best she
can for Walter but it seems as if she has
given up because she thinks that Walter
does not want to be with her anymore.

Contrasts and Pg 91-95 As Lena informs the family about her

Contradictions purchase of a new house, everyone
REMAINDER OF THE SCENE celebrates in jubilation while Walter is the
only one who sulks in despair. This shows
the contradictions between the family and
how everyone has their own goals with the
insurance money, leaving them divided.

Aha Moment Pg 96 This is the moment where we realize that

George has minimal interest in Beneatha’s
“GEORGE I know it and I don’t mind it opinions and mostly likes her for how she
sometimes … not a poet--- O.K.?” looks. This shows that George does not
understand her and wants her to only
follow what he says, which is entirely
wrong. By this, Hansberry also shows the
impact on patriarchal systems on women.

Words of the Pg 98 This proves that Lena does care about

Wiser Beneatha, regardless of the arguments
“MAMA Well--- I guess you better not they have. She knows what is best for her
waste your time with no fools.” daughter and wants her to be with
someone who makes her happy and
accepts who she really is.
Contrasts and Pg 101-102 I wonder why Johnson thinks that the “man
Contradictions of the house” made the decision of moving
“JOHNSON … I bet it was his idea y’all out? Why is it a stereotype that people
moving out to Clybourne Park.” think that only men have more important
plans and ideas than women?

Again and Pg 108-109 I wonder why Walter repeatedly manifests

again what he is going to do after his business
REMAINDER OF SCENE which does not even exist yet. This
repetition shows how jubilated Walter is
for his success which has not even begun.

Contrasts and Pg 117-118 This is one of the major incidents where

Contradictions systemic racism is depicted in our society in
“LINDNER Well--- you see… in their this play. Lindner comes all the way to the
own communities.” Younger’s home to “request” them to not
move to the white dominant
neighbourhood. This shows the racism that
coloured people faced and still face
everywhere.

Words of the Pg 119 I wonder why Lindner seems to pity Walter

Wiser as if he is making a grave mistake. It seems
“LINDNER You just can’t force people as if Lindner was sent to do the dirty work
to change their hearts, son.” of the racist white people in the
neighborhood where the Youngers want to
move. This proves that Lindner is trying as
much as he can to help Walter while
completing his unfortunate duty.

Aha Moment Pg 127 This is the moment when Walter realizes

that he should not have trusted someone
“BOBO I’m talking about the fact … who barely knew and argued with his
Willy didn’t never show up.) family about working with him. He should
have trusted his family more and used the
money wisely instead of putting all his eggs
in one basket.
Words of the Pg 135-136 Asagai and Beneatha discuss the freedom
Wiser that people in Africa deserve after being
Discussion between Asagai and treated wrongfully for a long time and he
Beneatha rebukes her lack of idealism and her
attachment to the money from the
insurance.

Aha Moment Pg 148 This is the point where Walter develops his
character as he learns his lesson from the
“WALTER And we have … We don’t mistakes he made and now he is the man
want your money.” whose family is proud of him because he
made the right choice and honored the
money his father left behind.