Free trial is available to new customers only. It is possible that Hansberry is attempting to make a bold feminist statement with this plot twist. What, if any of the family's current conflicts has the issue of the insurance money caused? They clearly do not communicate, and Ruth's pregnancy is an important issue for them to talk about. How does George react? WebRuth calls the doctor she, which arouses Mamas suspicion because their family doctor is a man. She is very pleased that Asagai sees her as she sees herself. -His bosses wife calls asking where he has been Read more about why Mama wants to own property. How do the others think she should spend the money? A Raisin in the Sun Act I, Scene ii Summary & Analysis Mama apparently donates money to missionary causes, while Beneatha believes that American and European missionaries do more harm than good in Africa. 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. Hansberry's stage direction may also reflect something of her own beliefs. he ringing of the doorbell signifies that the check has finally arrived. Although the Younger family seems alienated from white middle-class culture, they harbor the same materialistic dreams as the rest of American society. You run our lives like you want to. Do you think the relationship can be saved? An intellectual gap, however, also compounds the generational difference between Mama and her daughter Beneatha. When Asagai calls her Alaiyo, he is supporting her notion of her independence and her desire to do more with her life than remain beneath the rest of the world. Ruth brings herself closer to her child, while Walter isolates himself in the other roomliterally and figuratively shutting his mother out. The issue of abortion, which Ruth considers and Mama implicitly rejects, highlights the generational differences between the women. How does Walter react to that idea? Dont have an account? Asagai, on the other hand, represents Black Pride and African heritage. Wed love to have you back! Regan wanted her career to be _____________ until she narrowed her interests, so she refused to sign the indefeasible contract to be a doctor for the Navy. -Mama wants to stay at the apartment (she's given up). Nigeria The most populated nation in Africa with more than 250 different ethnic groups. Mama's? Latest answer posted March 15, 2021 at 10:48:00 AM. He implies that her hairstyle is too American and unnatural, and he wonders how it got that way. Mama is clearly suggesting that Beneatha is not really interested in Africa, but is pretending to be so in order to make Asagai like her. creating and saving your own notes as you read. 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. A2S1 Is Walter right when he accuses his mother of trying to run her children's lives? She thinks that if Mama gives him some of the money he might regain his happiness and confidence, which are two things Ruth feels she can no longer provide for Walter. The free trial period is the first 7 days of your subscription. Beneatha gets angry as they praise George because she thinks that he is shallow. Mama and Ruth do not understand her ambivalence toward George, arguing that she should like him simply because he is rich. sentence 1 (subject of a question): 2 (subject of a subordinate clause): 3 (direct object of a verb); 4 They discuss the man that Beneatha has been dating, George Murchison. Beneatha struggles against any reference to being subservient, which is often the cause of her conflict with the rest of the family. -George doesn't care. A2S3 Who is Bobo? (object of a preposition). Ruth and Beneatha, part of a younger generation of women, differ from Mama in their reactions to the news. The family will have room for another, and therefore she can finally recognize and await the new life she is creating with joy. During the thirties and forties, the mass exodus of blacks from the south to the northern cities was an attempt to flee segregation injustices, including being forced to ride at the back of buses. Our summaries and analyses are written by experts, and your questions are answered by real teachers. Raisin In the Sun Study Guide- Act I Scene Two Flashcards Why? The news of this house gives her hope and a future for both her family and for the unborn baby inside of her. Because of this exclusion, Walters dreams of money and success in business become inextricably linked to his image of himself as a man. Beneatha refers to the "ghetto" in which they live as though it brings with it a disease that she calls "ghetto-iris.". Do you think she will agree to his offer? Similarly, they are befuddled by her dislike of the pretty, rich George Murchison. WebRuth and Benetha appear to have the stereotypical sister rivalry. -Makes the mad, sad, and fearful for a group? How does Walter feel about her plans? -Walter's jealous of the way he grew up The only window is in their small kitchen, and they share a bathroom in the hall with their neighbors. Historical Context Essay: A Raisin in the Sun on the Brink of the 1960s, Literary Context Essay: Hansberry, Langston Hughes, & the Harlem Renaissance. Note what he says to Mama in his anger: What you need me to say you done right for? Nigeria was ruled by the Portuguese at the end of the fifteenth century, followed by the Dutch, the Danes, the Spaniards, and the Swedes. He promises to bring the money to Willy when he receives it. Nigeria finally became independent and a member of the British Commonwealth of Nations, and, in 1963, it became a republic. Mama is confused because she does not understand the reference to the queen of the Nile. Walter is either more optimistic, or in greater denial. 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. She not only wants to have a careera far cry from the June Cleaver stay-at-home-mom role models of the 1950s (June Cleaver was the name of the mother on Leave it to Beaver, a popular late-1950s sitcom about a stereotypical suburban family)but also desires to find her identity and pursue an independent career without relying solely on a man. How then might the character's name be ambiguous? Beneatha wants to know everything about Africa and is more than pleased when Asagai gives her authentic Nigerian robes, along with some recordings of African music. Read an in-depth analysis of Ruth Younger. Travis sleeps on the couch in the living room. Though Walter and Ruth harbor materialistic dreams, they desire wealth not solely for self-serving purposes but rather as a means to provide for their family and escape the South Side ghetto in which they live. Start your 48-hour free trial to get access to more than 30,000 additional guides and more than 350,000 Homework Help questions answered by our experts. Mama attempts to discredit Walters money-centric worldview by reminding him of the life-or-death struggles endured by earlier generations of African Americans. She is experiencing a spiritual longing. Act One, Scene 2. April 30, 2023, SNPLUSROCKS20 Ruth gets up first and after some noticeable difficulty, rouses Travis and Walter as she makes breakfast. 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. What is Ruth's view of what they should do? Mama cannot understand why Walter Lee wants more from life than to sit anywhere he wants on public transportation. Why? Luego contesta las preguntas. Which one do you think is more compatible with Beneatha? Our, "Sooo much more helpful thanSparkNotes. Please wait while we process your payment. to start your free trial of SparkNotes Plus. A2S2 What is Walter's dream for the future? Central Idea Essay: Why Does Mama Want to Own Property? Why? It is morning at the Youngers apartment. If everything simply revolved around the money, the play would seem somewhat coincidental and shallow. The fact that Beneatha leaves in a "blaze of glory" may suggest Hansberry's approval of Beneatha's new mindset. From what you have seen so far, how would you describe the relationship between Ruth and Travis? He brings her some Nigerian clothing and music as gifts. Mama believes that Africans need religious salvation from heathenism, while Beneatha believes that they are in greater need of political and civil salvation from French and British colonialism. Save over 50% with a SparkNotes PLUS Annual Plan! The way she dressed and behave she described as a 'tart', 'jail bait', 'rat truck' by George and she has describe as a 'purity' by Lennie and Slim. With the nickname, Asagai acknowledges and celebrates Beneathas aspirations and desire for something more than just the basics, whether in love or life, which she deeply appreciates. A1S2 Why does Mama tell Walter that he is a disgrace to his father's memory? The other conflicts, such as the special treatment that Beneatha receives from Mama, Walter's resentment at not being head of the house, etc., might not have come to the foreground without the arrival of the check. BENEATHA: (Halting at the door) To become a queen of the Nile! Ruth, however, has reached a point of despair. Many Black intellectuals and writers, especially in the 1960s, faced this dilemma; Beneathas character thus seems somewhat ahead of her time. She explains that she is looking for more than storybook love. Beneatha's soft acceptance of this assessment of herself shows that she does indeed see herself in this light. WebRuth gets up first and after some noticeable difficulty, rouses Travis and Walter as she makes breakfast. Joseph Asagai brings Beneatha a gift of African records and some Nigerian robes. 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. -Walter says he's depressed. Walter, however, wants more for himself and his family. A2S3 What does Travis get for Mama? Mama eventually has to be the one to tell him about Ruth's dilemma and is surprised that his desire for the money overshadows his concern for both Ruth and his unborn child. How is that money beginning to cause conflict within the family? What do you think some of the deeper reasons for the conflict might be? Although Asagai is not offensively sexist, perhaps due to his Western education and worldly sophistication, still his views are traditionally African, circa 1959, and, therefore, somewhat chauvinistic. Explain the different reactions of Ruth and Walter to Ruth and Beneatha? For her, their present abode is a source of oppression for them and is a great stress. Travis asks them for moneyhe is supposed to bring fifty cents to schooland Ruth says that they do not have it. Previous Hay-lo Beneatha answers the telephone with this greeting, a combination of "Hey" and "Hello.". He says, bitterly, to hurt her as deeply as he knows is possible that she butchered his dream. Yet while she wants to break free of conforming to the white ideal, she still wants to acclimate herself to an educated American life. Beneathas dream differs from Mamas in that it is, in many ways, self-serving. Despite her cramped living situation and the lifetime of hard work that she has endured, she maintains her focus on her dream, which helps her to persevere. All of the characters in A Raisin in the Sun have unfulfilled dreams. Read more about what Walter plans to do with the insurance money. Walter wants the larger freedom of being totally independent of everyone; he wants to be able to earn his living without having a "boss"; more important, he wants to be able to generate his own income without being dependent on a salary as a chauffeur. Mama, though, feels morally repulsed by the idea of getting into the liquor business. The four major groups are the Hausa and Falani people in the north, the Yoruba people in the southwest, and the Ibo people in the southeast. PDF downloads of all 1725 LitCharts literature guides, and of every new one we publish. The tension evoked by issues of money and manhood comes sharply into focus when Travis asks for fifty cents. Contact us She shuts herself into their bedroom. She is at the center of her familys life, and she controls many of the interactions of the members of her household. A2S1 How does Walter insult George? Jesus tells her that a water bucket is constantly empty, but if she believes, then her kettle will never be empty because it will be filled with the living water of God. For him, Mamas news does not represent a hopeful future, but betrayal. -Because she believes that dreaming will take you nowhere in life and it's point less. Continue to start your free trial. A2S1 How can you tell that Walter is bitter about Mama's decision to buy a house? The fact that she later gets her hair cut shows that she recognizes that she had indeed been conforming to the ideas around her. Before Asagai's arrival at the Younger apartment, Beneatha sternly admonishes her mother not to say anything embarrassingly naive or patronizing about Africa. Do you have pictures of Gracie Thompson from the movie Gracie's choice. What is the significance of the fact that Walter does not know where Ruth is? Dont have an account? She sees herself as a non-conformist, but Asagai makes her face the fact that she is not living up to her own ideal. 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 does Mama mention Tarzan to Asagai? Despite its harrowing past, Nigeria has become a leader in literature, art, music, and craftsmanship. Asagai visits Beneatha, and they spend some time together by themselves. -To tell him why she wants to be a doctor (something she once cared about). A1S1 Why is Mama about to get a large sum of money? Your group members can use the joining link below to redeem their group membership. To those of Mama's generation, it should have been enough that Walter Lee's generation can ride at the front of a bus. Discount, Discount Code Why does Beneatha want to become a doctor? What is Beneatha's reaction? This upsets Ruth because it serves as yet another reminder of her own poverty, and her inability to give her son a better life. Beneatha says that her hair was once like his, but that she finds it too raw that way. 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." Normally, kids would be disgusted and frightened by rats, especially one that is bleeding and dying; the fact that it intrigues Travis shows that he is inured to the effects of poverty: what Beneatha will refer to later on as "acute ghetto-itis." The insurance check is all Walter needs to pursue the venture. -Happy but very worried Asagai sees Beneatha's haircut as an example of assimilationisman acceptance of white oppression and a rejection of her African heritage. -$6500 gone. Describe Walter's relationship with Ruth in A Raisin in the Sun. Asagai roughly translates "Alaiyo" to mean "One for Whom Bread Is Not Enough." Through these reactions, it can be gathered that Beneatha is spoiled: she has no qualms about hurting her family's feelings when she is angry. Asagai hints at what is to come by telling Beneatha that by straightening her hair she is mutilating it. -Everyone starts freaking out and Mama starts hitting Walter Beneatha and Mama are busy doing weekend housecleaning when Ruth comes in, announcing sadly that she is pregnant. You'll also get updates on new titles we publish and the ability to save highlights and notes. Struggling with distance learning? In the south, whites rode in the front of buses, blacks in the back. After Asagai gives her this nickname, however, the name Beneatha could also point to the character's spiritual, "Alaiyo" nature, which dwells beneath the physical exterior. WebTravis is chasing the rat with his friends, which is symbolic of the myriad of forces that are "chasing" and seeking to "trap" children of color in America. A1S2 What is "assimilationism"? BENEATHA: It is my businesswhere is he going to live, on the roof? Walter returns home and wants to talk about his liquor store plans. -She buys curtains In A Raisin in the Sun, why do you think Mama changes her mind and gives Walter the insurance money? Thus, she tells Travis that Ruth is out on an errand and will be back eventually. You'll also receive an email with the link. When does Walter change his mind? It was your money and you did what you wanted with it. How can you tell that she feels guilty? In this movement, Black Americans embraced their racial history, stopping their attempts to assimilate, even in physical appearance. The frustration Walter Lee exhibits in this scene is recognizable by everyone who has ever felt ignored in spite of loud cries to be heard. Beneatha and Travis start fighting, and Beneatha threatens him with the spray gun. Mama sees an abortion as inconceivable for a number of reasons: first there are her religious beliefs. The bureau is the taller piece of bedroom furniture, containing only drawer space for clothing. To honor her African identity, Beneatha realizes that she must allow her hair to display its natural, unassimilated form. For the next 7 days, you'll have access to awesome PLUS stuff like AP English test prep, No Fear Shakespeare translations and audio, a note-taking tool, personalized dashboard, & much more! Later, Beneatha will put these robes on and become a "Nigerian Princess," symbolizing her acceptance of her heritage. -Based on where there are in life now, that will most likely never happen. A1S2 How do the various family members use humor to reduce the stressfulness of their situation? -Mama chose it because it was the cheapest house she could find. 1. in secticide 2. in tellectual 3. missionary 4. dejection 5. suppress 6. mutilate 7. Beneatha claims that she is trying to express herself, an idea at which Ruth and Mama have a laugh. -Bennie joking about Tarzan and with Asagai. Compare and contrast Joseph Asagai with George Murchison in A Raisin in the Sun. -Mama joking why they would know anything about Africa Why does Mama look at Beneatha when she speaks to Travis about his mother? Please identify examples of figurative language in A Raisin in the Sun. Beneatha's anger is definitely covering a feeling of sadness toward even this small assimilation into white American life. How does the mood of the play change when the postman rings the doorbell? Do you side with one more than with the other? If you don't see it, please check your spam folder. This is the beginning of the "inciting incident," and now the action and emotional mood will begin to rise to its crisis or climax. Accessed 1 May 2023. Who are the experts?Our certified Educators are real professors, teachers, and scholars who use their academic expertise to tackle your toughest questions. We're sorry, SparkNotes Plus isn't available in your country. Walter, in contrast, and others of his generation, take that particular "freedom" for granted. Will he try to stop Ruth? and any corresponding bookmarks? Kind of like a rainbow after the rain." What does Mama's confusion show? What do we learn about each from this incident? Travis then leaves for school, and Walter tells Ruth that he wants to use the check to invest in a liquor store with a few of his friends. What time does normal church end on Sunday? Beneatha made this statement to Asagai when they first met, a remark he had found amusing. 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. How do you form that impression? behind the bureau A bureau is a piece of furniture that was usually kept in the bedroom and used for storing clothing. Sometimes it can end up there. Mama enters and goes directly to a small plant that she keeps just outside the kitchen window. Ruth never had a -That she comes to Africa with him when he goes back Why does she lie to Travis? Work with a partner to research a female scientist from the Scientific Revolution. She believes that Tituba knows how to speak to the dead, and she wished to learn who murdered her seven children Ruth feels ill and anxious about her pregnancy. Might Beneatha's anger hide another emotion, and if so, how is this significant? Read an in-depth analysis of Lena Mama Younger. We've all got acute ghetto-itis Beneatha says this when Asagai drops by to visit, immediately after the Younger family has had a depressing conversation about their financial station in life and Ruth's possible pregnancy. Ruth and Walter? Not until Rosa Parks dramatically refused to sit at the back of a bus in Montgomery, Alabama, in 1954, an act which accelerated the civil rights movement, did most blacks in the south even think about the absurdity of the "Jim Crow" laws. How does Ruth behave when she learns about the rat A2S3 What effect does Mr. Lindner's visit have on the family's mood? What is Hansberry saying by including the subsequent stage direction? I DON'T EVER WANT TO SEE YOUR UGLY FACE AGAIN! Ruth calls the doctor she, which arouses Mamas suspicion because their family doctor is a man. Ruth feels ill and anxious about her pregnancy. Mama tries to help her relax. Asagai visits Beneatha, and they spend some time together by themselves. He brings her some Nigerian clothing and music as gifts. How does his visit change the family's mood? Why do you think he says these things? Walter then leaves for his job as a chauffeurhe has to ask Ruth for money to get to work because the money he gave Travis was his car fare. -By asking her if the money was hers Renews May 7, 2023 -Based on how unsafe their area is and how young he is, he deserves a punishment so he won't do it again. A2S1 Why does Ruth's excitement about the new house begin to fade when she discovers its location? 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.. 20% Read more about Mamas plant as a symbol. WebMama, however, can see into Ruth's mind and heart and knows what she intends. -Mama likes her plant so much because it makes their tiny apartment homier. We also learn that Walter is "restless," dissatisfied with his current life, and feeling as if the people he loves, and who are supposed to love him, do not understand him, rarely even giving him the chance to speak. Meanwhile, Beneatha is spraying the apartment with insecticide in an attempt to rid it of cockroaches. These phone calls serve parallel functions for those who receive them and demonstrate what is important to both of the characters: Walter is waiting to move quickly on the investment, while Beneatha cannot wait to see Asagai and introduce him to her family.

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