Asagai is also more serious about their relationship than Beneatha is and appears not to fully understand or accept Beneatha's "liberated college woman's attitude." Mr. Asagai, I am looking for my identity Asagai repeats Beneatha's words to her, poking fun at her desperation to connect with her African heritage. A2S3 What do you think Mama would have said and done if she had been at home when Mr. Lindner visited? Mama, however, seems to feel as though Walter and Beneatha's generation takes the civil rights advancements of her generation for granted, and possibly that the life they fought for should be enough for her children. This scene focuses on the fierce Younger pride that Mama is constantly trying to instill in her children. The news of this house gives her hope and a future for both her family and for the unborn baby inside of her. You'll also receive an email with the link. Eventually, Beneatha chooses Asagai, and, thus, her African heritage, over the assimilationist viewpoint embodied by George. Because of this exclusion, Walters dreams of money and success in business become inextricably linked to his image of himself as a man. and any corresponding bookmarks? -Because in his mind, he thought he was going to get that money to invest in one of his many dumb ideas. Finally, while she seems to understand Ruth's despair, she does not condone her action. When does Walter change his mind? Hay-lo Beneatha answers the telephone with this greeting, a combination of "Hey" and "Hello.". Contact us Act II Scene 1. on 50-99 accounts. -She gets very upset that her son is growing up chasing rats -Thinking about having to raise another child in the small apartment, in an unsafe/unsanitary area An intellectual gap, however, also compounds the generational difference between Mama and her daughter Beneatha. What do you think Walter will do now? Dont have an account? A2S1 How can you tell that there are problems in Walter and Ruth's marriage? A dresser, in contrast, is a short piece of bedroom furniture that has drawer space, a large mirror, and a small stool or chair where one might sit in order to put on makeup. - Because she tries to make an intellectual comment about many African Americans ignorance Ruths maternal responsibilities force her to consider broader social forces at play. Which issues might have simply festered under the surface? How does his visit change the family's mood? Walter, however, wants more for himself and his family. Complete the following sentence by choosing the word that best fits the context, based on information you infer from the use of the italicized word. Members will be prompted to log in or create an account to redeem their group membership. In short, Walter is questioning the reasons he cannot live the way his bosses live. Ruth feels ill and anxious about her pregnancy. It is clear that Beneatha and Asagai love each other, but there are hints of philosophical disagreement. Beneathas request that her mother refrain from asking ignorant questions about Africa underscores the fact that many mid-century African Americans knew little about African life and culture. BENEATHA: (Halting at the door) To become a queen of the Nile! By signing up you agree to our terms and privacy policy. Get Annual Plans at a discount when you buy 2 or more! She wants to rid herself and her family of what she later refers to as acute ghetto-itis. It is obvious that Beneatha is not proud of her familys economic and social situation and is a bit embarrassed by it when Asagai visits. Walter and Ruth continue to argue about their unhappy lives, a dialogue that Ruth cuts short by telling her husband, Eat your eggs, they gonna be cold.. -Blending in with white culture Mama's? Find related themes, quotes, symbols, characters, and more. To a great extent, Walters dreams center on the many things that he wants, highlighting the centrality of material wealth in his formation of a personal identity. -Makes the mad, sad, and fearful A+ Student Essay: The Role of Money in the Play, Lorraine Hansberry and A Raisin in the Sun Background. Another issue that arises is that of Walter's manhood: how he defines it and how his mother defines it. Feminism had not fully emerged into the American cultural landscape when Hansberry wrote A Raisin in the Sun, and Beneatha seems a prototype for the more enthusiastic feminism of the 1960s and 1970s. behind the bureau A bureau is a piece of furniture that was usually kept in the bedroom and used for storing clothing. Purchasing After he leaves, Travis brings in the insurance check from the mailbox, and Walter seizes this opportunity to discuss his business plans again. A2S1 How does Beneatha's Nigerian dress and music affect Walter? What is the significance of the meaning of the word "Alaiyo"? Consider her body language upon hearing the news: She laughs joyously, having practically destroyed the apartment, and flings her arms up and lets them come down happily, slowly, reflectively, over her abdomen, aware for the first time perhaps that the life therein pulses with happiness and not despair. Walter, in contrast, and others of his generation, take that particular "freedom" for granted. A1S1 When family members argue, the reasons may be more complex than they at first appear. sentence 1 (subject of a question): 2 (subject of a subordinate clause): 3 (direct object of a verb); 4 Open hostility, however, between the numerous rival factions within the country bred chaos, with several attempts to overthrow the government, civil war, and finally mass starvation. -Asa makes a better argument and just wants Bennie to be who she really is. Use up and down arrows to review and enter to select. Indeed, her seeking of her roots in Africa to forge her identity (even though her family has been in America for five generations) precedes the New African movement of the 1960s. The family will have room for another, and therefore she can finally recognize and await the new life she is creating with joy. Mama explains to Walter that for her generation, freedom from lynching, the end of segregation, and the ability to find work were all considerable social advancements. -$6500 gone. They're like having in-class notes for every discussion!, This is absolutely THE best teacher resource I have ever purchased. Unsure of her identity as a Black woman joining an overwhelmingly white world, Beneatha turns to Asagai to see if he can supply a lost part of her self. A1S2 Why has everyone been waiting for the mailman's arrival? The fact that Ruth considers an abortion, an illegal practice at the time, shows the lengths to which she would go to protect her family from further financial strain. A2S3 What does Ruth buy for the new house? Objects placed on top of the bureau often landed behind it, which, because of its size and weight, was often a difficult piece of furniture to move. Some commentators believe that Naomi was instructing Ruth to be They need more salvation from the British and the French Beneatha says this to Mama as she attempts to "educate" her mother to what Beneatha feels are political realities. Mama, a traditionalist, senses from the fact that Ruth saw a woman doctor that Ruth may be thinking of doing something that perhaps a male, traditional doctor would not supportget an abortion. SparkNotes Plus subscription is $4.99/month or $24.99/year as selected above. of the pronoun in parentheses. - Attitude is very kind and sweet towards Mama This scene also reveals Walters growing restlessness, as well as the desperation with which Ruth is trying to hold her family together. He felt entitled to the money for his dream and now feels that he will never have a chance at it. SparkNotes PLUS -Punishment is a whipping The scene is included in the PBS presentation, however. Hansberry wrote the "rat scene" to dramatically point out the graphic terrors that daily confront the children of the poor and also to show that these children must learn to incorporate such horrific realities into their playtime activities. Glossary In contrast, Walters body language embodies his disappointment. Compare and contrast Joseph Asagai with George Murchison in A Raisin in the Sun. Putnam admits that she sent Ruth to Tituba. Free trial is available to new customers only. How does Walter plan to use the insurance money? Ruth and Mama talk about Walter and Beneatha, and Ruth suddenly faints. Why? This is a biblical allusion to John 4:6, in which Jesus is sitting at Jacob's well and talks with a Samaritan woman who has come to fill her water bucket (kettle). WebMama, however, can see into Ruth's mind and heart and knows what she intends. Ruth calls the doctor she, which arouses Mamas suspicion because their family doctor is a man. -Because she believes that dreaming will take you nowhere in life and it's point less. The original text plus a side-by-side modern translation of. Mama attempts to discredit Walters money-centric worldview by reminding him of the life-or-death struggles endured by earlier generations of African Americans. Why does Beneatha want to become a doctor? A1S2 What goes on during house cleaning at the Youngers? Mama wants what is best for the family, but she clearly does not understand her son. Later, Beneatha will put these robes on and become a "Nigerian Princess," symbolizing her acceptance of her heritage. Does Mama agree? As she asks him to sit down, she scurries to throw the spray gun off the couch in the hopes that Asagai wont see it. What is Hansberry saying by including the subsequent stage direction? Dijo que la historia (concluir) con la segunda parte de la pelcula. What do we learn about each from this incident? Mamas hospitality is a reflection of the pride that she takes in her family and its treatment of others. Hansberry wrote the "rat scene" to dramatically point out the graphic terrors that daily confront the children of the poor and also to show that these children must learn to incorporate such horrific realities into their playtime activities. Merely going through the motions of life is not enough for a person like Beneatha; she has to question every philosophy for herself. What is wrong with reporter Susan Raff's arm on WFSB news? She reminds the family of the importance of family and history, and she holds the power to make economic decisions. to start your free trial of SparkNotes Plus. Hansberry uses this scene to express her dissatisfaction with most people's distorted perceptions about Africa. TO CANCEL YOUR SUBSCRIPTION AND AVOID BEING CHARGED, YOU MUST CANCEL BEFORE THE END OF THE FREE TRIAL PERIOD. Asagai, on the other hand, represents Black Pride and African heritage. Read more about what Walter plans to do with the insurance money. Renew your subscription to regain access to all of our exclusive, ad-free study tools. It was your money and you did what you wanted with it. Which one do you think is more compatible with Beneatha? -She doesn't believe in God Some of the vocabulary words have related meanings. Thanks for creating a SparkNotes account! Ruth | Commentary | John Currid | TGCBC - The Gospel Coalition Mama sits down with Walter who is upset byand ashamed ofhis poverty, his job as a chauffeur, and his lack of upward mobility. Ruth comes into the room just as Travis goes downstairs to get the mail. -She gets very upset that her son is growing up chasing rats Also, Mama is asking Walter to save his unborn child from a death inflicted by poverty, but Walters obsession with material wealth prevents him from taking such a stand because the baby will only make that poverty worse and make his dreams even less achievable. Read more about why Mama wants to own property. Many Black intellectuals and writers, especially in the 1960s, faced this dilemma; Beneathas character thus seems somewhat ahead of her time. It is morning at the Youngers apartment. Walter's power struggles with Ruth and Mama would still simmer and Beneatha would still be willful and spoiled. Why do you think Hansberry selected the name "Beneatha" for this character? To honor her African identity, Beneatha realizes that she must allow her hair to display its natural, unassimilated form. Do you believe it was the right decision? From a dramatic standpoint, the check's arrival instigates the point of crisis in the play. Hansberry may have selected the name Beneatha to represent the oppression of African-American women, drawing on the word 'beneath.' A Raisin in the Sun Comprehension Questions.odt - A Raisin Mamas refusal to support Walters dream frustrates and emasculates him, eroding his sense of his worth in being what he feels he should be: a husband and father, a man, who can support his family. The insurance check prompts intra-family conflict, as arguments about money quickly become larger struggles concerning personal identity, personal dreams, and family dynamics. A3S1 What does Mama mean when she observes that Walter has finally "come into his manhood"? 2023 eNotes.com, Inc. All Rights Reserved, Masterplots II: Juvenile & Young Adult Literature Series A Raisin in the Sun Analysis, Masterpieces of Womens Literature A Raisin in the Sun Analysis, Critical Context (Masterplots II: African American Literature), Critical Context (Masterplots II: Juvenile & Young Adult Literature Series), Critical Context (Comprehensive Guide to Drama), https://www.enotes.com/topics/raisin-in-the-sun. Why does she lie to Travis? Choosing the Correct Form and Use of Who and Whom. Travis story highlights the harshness of life in the segregated South Side of Chicago and reignites Ruths fears that the familys current home is an unsuitable place for her son (or, now, her baby) to grow up.
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