The setting of this book takes place in Chicago’s Southside, sometime between World War II and the present. The main characters are Ruth Younger, Walter Lee Younger, Beneatha Younger, and Lena Younger. Lena Younger is the mother of Beneatha and Walter. Ruth Younger is Walter’s wife. Walter wants to have a liquor shop and wants the money that Lena Younger is suppose to get that belonged to her husband. Beneatha needs money to become a doctor. Beneatha and Walter have external conflicts throughout the novel over the money. Lena Younger wishes to stop the fighting between Beneatha and Walter so once she