George proves to be as pedantic as Beneatha, peppering his arguments with literary allusions and oftentimes esoteric references for example, calling Walter "Prometheus." Clearly, Hansherry uses her own family's livelihood as being the livelihood of the rich black family in Raisin. Yet, often, circumstances are so difficult for them that they cannot even do that. Meanwhile, Walter returns home drunk. lead lives of quiet desperation." He thinks nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, For Mama, ownership of the house symbolizes personal freedom as well. It seems that George wants to marry a nice . Murchison, on the other hand, knows nothing of his African past, despises the little he knows of his heritage, and, therefore, hates himself. Access Free A Raisin In The Sun Act 2 Study Guide Answers A Reader's Guide to Lorraine Hansberry's A Raisin in the Sun Raisin Presents a critique and analysis of "A Raisin in the Ruth finds Beneatha's pageantry silly and questions her about it. Continue to start your free trial. Get Annual Plans at a discount when you buy 2 or more! It's not education he doesn't believe init's education for women. . A frustrated and angered Mama retaliates by calling him a fool. Mrs. Johnson leaves the apartment. In the hopes of restoring part of his identity and self-esteem, Mama gives Walter control of the money, which gives him control over his future. Allusions, serve several purposes in a work of literature. Struggling with distance learning? Beneathas exploration of her African heritage and her entrance with her afro and Nigerian garb were perhaps the first such appearance on an American stage. an African costume; in the stage Walter then employs the phrase to illustrate how women keep men from achieving their goalsevery time a man gets excited about something, This symbol signifies Beneatha's anti-assimilationist beliefs as well as her desire to shape her identity by looking back to her roots in Africa., Mama decides to . Each reading quiz contains ten multiple choice questions; they are quick to administer and score.A Raisin in the Sun Quizzes schedule:Reading 1: Act IReading 2: Act IIReading 3: Act IIIA list of questions by scene is also included. Embarrassed, Ruth explains that the white shoes are part of the college style. George obviously looks down on Waltercalling him Prometheusand Walter gets even angrier at him. Du Bois (1868-1963), was a man who dramatically espoused the opposite of Washington's philosophy. Mama and Ruth offer her food and drink, and she gladly accepts. Sadly, the people of Benin began to involve themselves in the lucrative Atlantic slave-trade selling captured rival prisoners to Europeans and Americans. that big hotel on the Drive Walter refers to "that big hotel on the Drive" in a conversation with George Murchison as he asks George about the Murchison family's prospective real estate ventures. domination of a white man without Ace your assignments with our guide to A Raisin in the Sun! She feels she needs to buy the house to hold the family together. They ground the work in a specific time. 41 Comments Please sign inor registerto post comments. Lorraine Hansberry's A Raisin in the Sun provides a compelling and honest look into one family's aspiration to move to another Chicago neighborhood and the thunderous crash of a reality that African Americans faced when attempting to do so. dramatic, mysterious; George calls For Walter, the fulfillment of Mamas dream for a house spells the death of his own dream for owning a liquor store. who headed Tuskegee Institute, a college She also prides herself on the fact that the family will own its home, however humble it may be. George is pedantic, showing off his knowledge, when he says to Walter (after he is safely half-out the door), "Good night, Prometheus.". Mama tries to convince Walter to accept her dream and to recognize its value, but he cannot. Africa especially in the South, directed against He thinks, void in our lives, and we attempt to fill it. Colonialism (British and French) Opines that a raisin in the sun is an excellent play. Detailed quotes explanations with page numbers for every important quote on the site. betterment of "people of color." W. E. pot or to receive waste water from a Act 2, Scene 3 [Y]our daddys gonna make a . Benin When George Murchison mentions "the great sculpture of Benin," he is referring to the magnificent works of art that were produced throughout Africa, much to the astonished appreciation of Europeans who had come to Africa, first to trade and later to capture slaves. Mrs. Miniver by Jan Struther, the film With this money, Mama says, Walter should becomeand should act like he has becomethe head of the family. (One of Washington's first staff appointments was Dr. George Washington Carver, whose brilliance in the field of agriculture is not as well documented as his "peanut" discoveries.) Bantu is the largest language family and Swahili (which consists of Bantu and Arabic) is the most widely spoken. Another allusion Hansberry uses talks about Adam and Eve. The "Drive" to which Walter refers is an expressway along a scenic stretch of land a large sprawling park or a river view; in whatever city, this would be expensive property. Many times though, men within the criminal element in the black community also wore their hair in this "conked" style when the style became a symbol of affluence. 1 CHE101 - Summary Chemistry: The Central Science, Dr. Yost - Exam 1 Lecture Notes - Chapter 18, 1.1 Functions and Continuity full solutions. from your Reading List will also remove any ? Washington felt that having a trade was more logical for black people than painting or poetry. Under his reign, roads were constructed, formal education and social services were instituted, and electricity was introduced. Hansberry creates a radical character in Beneatha, one who does not willingly submit to what she calls oppressive white culture. Washington's long-time opponent, W. E. B. Our, "Sooo much more helpful thanSparkNotes. . If the salt loses it's savor LitCharts Teacher Editions. (one code per order). Beneathas statement that equates Mrs. Johnson and the KKK show the extent to which she believes assimilationist ideology is a scourge on the African-American community. Because of what was defined as "self hatred" by psychologists who studied the phenomenon, oftentimes a group that believes itself to be oppressed will mimic the life-style and, sometimes, even mimic the appearance of the "dominant group." Your subscription will continue automatically once the free trial period is over. allusions in order to supply the reader with historical background. on 2-49 accounts, Save 30% Mama asks if she had a good time with George, and Beneatha tells her that George is a fool. Mama replies, I guess you better not waste your time with no fools. Beneatha appreciates her mothers support. She values her mothers support, especially as it bears on her identity and self-worth as a woman. Act II Scene 1, Mrs. Johnson (Mrs. Wilhelmina Othella Johnson). the back of his hand, and straddling a chair back-. A Raisin in the Sun is an allusion in the fact that it is a reference to a line in a poem called "Dream Deferred" by Langston Hughes. $18.74/subscription + tax, Save 25% Colonel McCormick: owner and publisher Part of her dream is the simple desire for consumer goods. read analysis of Mamas Plant, Beneathas natural hair symbolizes her pride in her African heritage and her desire to explore her African roots. Beneatha believes that society must be changed through self-knowledge and, thus, through consciousness and celebration of ones heritage. In Walters eyes, the new house symbolizes the continued deferment of his dream. From the creators of SparkNotes, something better. "Combo" is a synonym for "band." When Beneatha reenters, dressed for her date with George, she is wearing a natural hairstyle. Your group members can use the joining link below to redeem their group membership. Ultra-conservative George surprises everyone with his praise of Beneatha's new look; however, his attitude is patronizing and condescending, as though she requires his approval. Act 2, Scene 2 Then, as if it were an afterthought, Ruth says that she's "never been 'fraid of no crackers" even though her previous dialogue says otherwise. Allusions Renews March 10, 2023 Mrs. Johnson says white folks in Chicago are acting like the ones in Mississippi. If his family is going to end up in a comfortable home, Would not have made it through AP Literature without the printable PDFs. Free trial is available to new customers only. (including. Walter, however, is crushed by Mama's news; to him, Mama has "butchered his dream.". accolades. Drop the Garbo routine When George Murchison admonishes Beneatha to "drop the Garbo routine," he is telling her to know her "place" as a woman. Note that Asagai calmly accepts whatever his fate might be and even becomes an inadvertent peacemaker when he diffuses Beneatha's vitriolic reaction to Walter's loss of the family's money. PDF downloads of all 1699 LitCharts literature guides, and of every new one we publish. Teacher Editions with classroom activities for all 1699 titles we cover. Mama turns over the money. The free trial period is the first 7 days of your subscription. Ruth and Walters concern about moving into a predominantly white neighborhood reflects the great tension that existed between raceseven in the Northern states. Mamas unending devotion to her small houseplant signifies her When Mrs. Johnson enters, she brings the Youngers a newspaper that tells of a bombing of a black family's home in an all-white neighborhood. But Mama explains that a comparable house in a black neighborhood would cost twice as much. He gets into a heated debate with her over the history and heritage of black people, all of which he belittles as insignificant, and then he antagonizes Walter by dismissing Walter's attempts to discuss his "big" business plans with him. The lion is waking This phrase refers to all of the African countries that were beginning to demand their independence of colonial rule. Teacher Editions with classroom activities for all 1699 titles we cover. misplaced value is the cause: We feel a Detailed quotes explanations with page numbers for every important quote on the site. Purchasing She stipulates that $3000 is to go in a savings account for Beneatha's medical schooling, but it is not clear that he even hears Mama. His self-hatred manifests itself in his contemptuous attitude toward other blacks, especially toward less wealthy and less educated blacks like Walter. Act I Scene 2, Next Beneatha uses George's weak attempts to change her personality as the excuse that she needs to end their relationship. Their entrapment in the ghetto, in their jobs, and in their apartment results in the desire to leave physically, to escape mentally through alcohol, and to lash out at those involved in the entrapment. Chaka: he became chief of the Zulu clan How does Walter plan to use the insurance money? Morgan Park: PDFs of modern translations of every Shakespeare play and poem. Dont have an account? Discount, Discount Code The original text plus a side-by-side modern translation of. Their concern foreshadows, among other developments, the arrival of Mr. Lindner, who reveals that the white people of Clybourne Park are just as wary of the Youngers as the Youngers are of white people. Blacks began to "choose sides," debating constantly over who was right, and over which philosophy was actually in the best interest of black people. Ruth and Walters conversation reveals that they do have love left in their marriage and that they have both been oppressed by their circumstances. You'll also get updates on new titles we publish and the ability to save highlights and notes. They all become worried when they hear that the house is in Clybourne Park, an entirely white neighborhood. The person whom Walter Lee describes as having a "conked head" is a part of the entertainment world; he is a musician at the Green Hat, a bar that Walter Lee frequents. Struggling with distance learning? Mrs. Johnson's intent is clearly to belittle the importance of the Youngers' getting away from the horrid conditions of their cramped apartment. Beneathas two suitors embody this dichotomy between the conflicting identities available to Black people: the identity that seeks assimilation and the identity that rejects assimilation. By entering your email address you agree to receive emails from SparkNotes and verify that you are over the age of 13. Walter's sudden intrusion into the dance is comical on the surface, but on a deeper level, Walter Lee appears somewhat tragic as he attempts to recapture his lost African past. The rulers of Mali established the Muslim religion that had come out of Arabia and was sweeping throughout Africa. Thanks for creating a SparkNotes account! Mrs. Miniver: Inspired by the 1940 novel The new Mali Empire, larger and more wealthy that the former empire of Ghana, reached from the Atlantic Ocean to the Niger River and north to the Sahara Desert. quiet desperation: "the mass of men peckerwoods no-count riff-raff; poor, shiftless, racially prejudiced whites. The Youngers are a family of dreamers who strongly desire upward mobility and improved life circumstances. Jesus emphasizes that we should do good to those who wrong us. Beneatha goes to change for the theater, and Walter talks to George about business plans. Cross), The Methodology of the Social Sciences (Max Weber), Principles of Environmental Science (William P. Cunningham; Mary Ann Cunningham), Psychology (David G. Myers; C. Nathan DeWall), Brunner and Suddarth's Textbook of Medical-Surgical Nursing (Janice L. Hinkle; Kerry H. Cheever), Give Me Liberty! Teacher Editions with classroom activities for all 1699 titles we cover. Creating notes and highlights requires a free LitCharts account. Complete your free account to request a guide. Shaka Zulu initiated the idea of complex battle formations in order to outflank and confuse his enemies, not unlike those strategies used in football formations. The way the content is organized, Would not have made it through AP Literature without the printable PDFs. affecting tea party interest Because Ruth is overwhelmed by her own concerns (mainly, that she might be pregnant), she becomes annoyed and therefore sarcastic when Walter tries to involve her in his conversation about the lives of wealthy whites. This alludes to Emmett Till. created, influenced, or formed the backdrop of the play (think 1950s Chicago) Dialogue - conversation between two or more people in the play Dialect - a particular form of a language . George and Beneatha finally leave, and Ruth and Walter then begin to fight about Walter going out, spending money, and interacting with people like Willy Harris. Hansberry, herself, speaks through Mama, who dismisses Washington as a "fool." Mrs. Johnson contrasts Beneathas self-satisfaction with Walters disappointment with his work as a chauffeur, which she conversely tries to defend as an honorable profession. 8), B. It means that Beneatha has no faith in Walter Lee's Leadership, Lena says she saw a cockroach like Napoleon. An example of situational irony in A Raisin in the Sun comes when the Youngers receive a visit from Mr. Lindner, chairman of the welcoming committee from the neighborhood to . But when the British stormed the city, they were so impressed by the Benin bronzes that they took them back with them, giving the British Museum an incomparable collection of rare treasures of African art. Creating notes and highlights requires a free LitCharts account. One way for them to escape this entrapment, though, seems to be through a reliance on each other. George tells Beneatha that she is too much of an intellectual and that men don't like opinionated, liberated women. By signing up you agree to our terms and privacy policy. Walter believes that the insurance money Mama gives him can provide him with financial success and educational resources for his son, a priority he values more highly than his sisters goal of becoming a doctor. nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, especially in the South, directed against, Business Law: Text and Cases (Kenneth W. Clarkson; Roger LeRoy Miller; Frank B. But for Mama the money created a possibility for Traviswho, as is implied here, in the neighborhood where they now live is getting into trouble, getting punished, and suddenly she can give him a different possibility. During this period in history, some black men (especially those connected with show business) would have their hair straightened through a chemical process that was both demeaning and extremely painful. Also, embarrasses Walter Lee because he is uneducated and doesn't understand the allusion. Read Walters important speech to Travis. They are fair game and Get Annual Plans at a discount when you buy 2 or more! The inexcusable complicity of the Africans in the heinous slave trade, however miniscule it might have been, is often exaggerated perhaps in an attempt to assuage guilt over the grand scale involvement in the violation of human rights by all those connected with the Atlantic slave trade. Walter dreams of being able to offer his son the world, an aspiration that centers on the power of money to overcome racial prejudice and limitations. If you don't see it, please check your spam folder. A Raisin in the Sun: Act 1, Scene 2 Summary & Analysis Next Act 2, Scene 1 Themes and Colors Key Summary Analysis The following Saturday morning Beneatha and Mama clean the apartment thoroughly, a regular occurrence in the Younger household. Mama's Plant. You can view our. Beneatha uses the quote with for a group? The way the content is organized, LitCharts assigns a color and icon to each theme in, With her costume and music choice, Beneatha embraces her African heritage. . Walters boss calls, telling Ruth that Walter has not been to work in three days. Why does Lindner try to convince the Younger family not to move? Perfect for acing essays, tests, and quizzes, as well as for writing lesson plans. Act II, Scene 2: Questions and Answers . the best little combo in the world This phrase refers to the band of musicians that Walter admires in the Green Hat. read analysis of The Insurance Payment, Instant downloads of all 1699 LitChart PDFs Historical Context Essay: A Raisin in the Sun on the Brink of the 1960s, Literary Context Essay: Hansberry, Langston Hughes, & the Harlem Renaissance. | LitCharts Teacher Editions. The act addresses themes of race, assimilation, dreams, gender, and money from the vantage points of the Youngers, an African American. The debate does not continue and, at this point, Mrs. Johnson concedes by saying, "You know, me and you ain't never agreed about some things, Lena Younger. Black writers tend to side with W. E. B. The reference was somewhat unsettling to colonial rulers of that day because of the suggested imagery of the fates of those caught in the presence of an awakening, ferocious lion. . Contact us In a change from her earlier stance, Mama rejects Mrs. Johnson argument, acknowledging the emasculating aspect of her sons work. He talks to Travis about his plans, saying that he is going to make a transaction that will make them rich. Walters irresponsible behavior displays the extremely detrimental effect that the deferral of his dream has had on him. Did you know you can highlight text to take a note? In addition, this scene illustrates how difficult it is to be Walter Lee Younger without being bitter. Beneatha intellectualizes everything, is clearly independent, does not defer to men, and argues whatever points of chauvinism she finds in her conversation with men. Mrs. Johnson criticizes the pride that Beneatha takes in her education, which Mrs. Johnson believes is excessive. She is simultaneously showing off her Alludes to Moses, who led his people out of the wilderness to the Promised Land. Zip. Dont have an account? Impact- Beneatha is saying that if she He sees Beneatha all dressed up and acts out some made-up tribal rituals with her, at one point standing on a table and pronouncing himself Flaming Spear. Ruth looks on wearily. Your group members can use the joining link below to redeem their group membership. Definitions and examples of 136 literary terms and devices. This scene is often the most misinterpreted of all the scenes in the play. Walters communion with his African identity centers on regaining the lost status and majesty of African leaders, which was stolen from many African-Americans through the transatlantic slave trade. Please wait while we process your payment. Previous The way the content is organized, LitCharts assigns a color and icon to each theme in. Mama takes a stance against Mrs. Johnsons defeatist brand of assimilation, standing up for her children and their dreams for a better future. Hansberry makes it clear here that George and Beneatha are not compatible. Despite Mrs. Johnson's meddling and overly familiar manner, Mama and Ruth keep a cool head and maintain their politeness, showing the pride that they take in their family and its reputation for hospitality. Although Walter's frustrations of establishing his own business appear to devour his hopes, his obsession with his dream restores his hope. Mamas feeble plant represents her familys deferred dreams for a better future, which have struggled to survive under the strain of life in Chicagos South Side. Summary and Analysis for a customized plan. Benin was the art produced in Africa He sees what we cannot, that he is a leader of his people, a great chief, a descendant of Chaka, and that the hour to march has come.". What do Biblical allusions do for a piece of literature? Scarlett is a shrewd, She has the radio going. Attesting to Hansberry's preoccupation with the demise of such great African civilizations and her deep regret that there was a universal lack of knowledge of these ancient black kingdoms are her constant references to Africa in Raisin. Because this art received such worldwide attention, few wanted to believe that such magnificent artwork had been created by the Africans. Walter suddenly becomes more confident and energized. Georges admission that his interest in Beneatha is only skin-deepthat he likes her looks but doesn't care about her thoughtsflies in the face of Beneathas personal pride and sense of self. 84 A RAISIN IN THE SUN. After the death of her husband, Mama Younger receives a $10,000 life insurance. While Walter dreams of providing for his family, his dreams nonetheless revolve around markers of material wealth, such as cars and homes. Menelik II is also responsible for relocating the capital at Addis Ababa and for modernizing the operation of government. In the play A Raisin in the Sun written by the playwright Lorraine Hansberry the reader witnesses various acts of betrayal from family members and friends throughout the selection based on a black family living in the South Side of Chicago during the 1950s. Renew your subscription to regain access to all of our exclusive, ad-free study tools. Thus, the art of Benin was, at first, attributed to the Portuguese; then someone suggested that the bronzes had been washed ashore from the lost city of Atlantis or had been created by its descendants or survivors; others said that some lost and wandering Europeans had found themselves in Benin and had produced the bronze wonders; others said that nomadic Greeks had produced these works while journeying through Africa.

Nc Concealed Carry Permit Application Wake County, Dupage County Jail Commissary, What Happened To Buster Edwards Wife And Daughter, Articles A