A+ Student Essay: The Role of Money in the Play, Lorraine Hansberry and A Raisin in the Sun Background, Read more about the nuanced use of dialect by each character in. This scene significantly dramatizes the lack of understanding between parent and child. What is her "dream"? Travis sleeps on the couch in the living room. Why does Beneatha want to become a doctor? 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. Mama attempts to discredit Walters money-centric worldview by reminding him of the life-or-death struggles endured by earlier generations of African Americans. 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. Instant downloads of all 1725 LitChart PDFs Mama's can of kitchen cleanser is always empty because she must at least keep her home very clean, since she cannot keep it looking new. Some commentators believe that Naomi was instructing Ruth to be Why? The free trial period is the first 7 days of your subscription. 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. Luego contesta las preguntas. When the unvoiced th sound arise at the end of a word, spell it with the letters th. In contrast, Walters body language embodies his disappointment. For him, Mamas news does not represent a hopeful future, but betrayal. When she rebukes himas if he were still a childhe responds, "I'm a grown man." A3S1 Why does Beneatha attack Asagai's dream about Africa? -His bosses wife calls asking where he has been When the voiced th sound arise, include a final e. List examples of each of these rules in poems. Work with a partner to research a female scientist from the Scientific Revolution. A2S3 How do you know that Ruth and Walter have been getting along better for the past day or two? Why is there so much apprehension about the check? Nigeria The most populated nation in Africa with more than 250 different ethnic groups. However, with these other conflicts involved, the Youngers seem like a real family facing real problems. Free trial is available to new customers only. Furthermore, seeing themselves as Americans, some African Americans questioned why it was necessary to have extensive knowledge of Africa. -He doesn't support her dreams/ideas and just uses her as a sort of trophy. | These dreams mostly involve money. -Need to decide if she is going to keep the baby or not. WebNaomi then explained what Ruth was to do: she was to wash herself, anoint herself, and change her clothes. It appears that their plan is moving smoothly. How do they react? A2S2 Why does Beneatha tell Mama that George is a fool? -Happy but very worried -Graham S. Asagais comments about Beneathas hair make her question whether she is an Africanist or an assimilationist. He felt entitled to the money for his dream and now feels that he will never have a chance at it. Mama tries so hard to impress Beneatha's Nigerian friend that her remarks are almost comical, clearly not her intent. A1S2 How does Beneatha feel about the church? Finally, Mama tells him that Ruth is pregnant and that she fears that Ruth is considering having an abortion. We can see from this quote that, although the new house represented a hope and future to Ruth, to Walter it represents the way that his dreams and hopes have been squashed. -She buys curtains Walter, however, wants more for himself and his family. Later, he is upset that Mama has decided about the liquor store without even seeing it; from his perspective, she does not have enough information, has not "listened" enough, to have made a decision. Did you know you can highlight text to take a note? What does the interior of the Younger house tell you about the family that lives there? -$6500 gone. 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. Please identify examples of figurative language in A Raisin in the Sun. How does his visit change the family's mood? A3S1 How does Asagai answer Beneatha? Did Billy Graham speak to Marilyn Monroe about Jesus? Read an in-depth analysis of Lena Mama Younger. -She trusts him for the most part, but based on his past, she should not. (She exits in a breathless blaze of glory )This statement is the turning point for Beneatha, showing that she has fully accepted her African heritage. Please wait while we process your payment. Discount, Discount Code Log in here. Walter admits that he does not think he is able to make her understand his feelings and motives. The only window is in their small kitchen, and they share a bathroom in the hall with their neighbors. Why does Mama look at Beneatha when she speaks to Travis about his mother? So what you need me to say it was all right for? A1S2 Why does Mama tell Walter that he is a disgrace to his father's memory? Teachers and parents! Do you think the relationship can be saved? WebMama is upset when she realizes that Ruth is contemplating an abortion. Tendremos que salir a las seis de la maana, lo que A1S1 Describe the setting of the story. To Mama, that particular measure of equality is enough; to Walter, it is an outrage. Subscribe now. However, Walter is unable to rise to the challenge, dejected as he is by Mamas refusal to support his dreams. After he leaves, Travis brings in the insurance check from the mailbox, and Walter seizes this opportunity to discuss his business plans again. He is described as silent and sullen. He walks slowly across the room to his bedroom, and before turning around speaks measuredly to Mama. WebMama, however, can see into Ruth's mind and heart and knows what she intends. -Blending in with white culture Finally we see a side of Beneatha that is not just spoiled and demanding. Why do the Youngers decide to go through with the move? Instead, she wants to move to a house with a lawn on which Travis can play. Why does Lindner try to convince the Younger family not to move? -insurance money from her husband's death. It is morning at the Youngers apartment. The fact that Beneatha leaves in a "blaze of glory" may suggest Hansberry's approval of Beneatha's new mindset. Your group members can use the joining link below to redeem their group membership. How does Walter feel about her plans? What is wrong with reporter Susan Raff's arm on WFSB news? Asagai teases Beneatha for straightening her hair in order to conform to the European or Hollywood standard of beauty. He promises to bring the money to Willy when he receives it. You can view our. Mama then recites Beneathas views on Africa and African people as best she can. -Going sledding down steep stairs when it snowed and one time a kid splitting his face open Latest answer posted August 25, 2021 at 3:18:50 AM. This issue helps to emphasize the growing marital problems between Ruth and Walter. 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. Educators go through a rigorous application process, and every answer they submit is reviewed by our in-house editorial team. She embraces natural hair as an alternative ideal of beauty, and sees herself as embracing her African heritage. It is infested with cockroaches and there is not enough room for them all. Ruth's pregnancy would still add a burden to the family. Mama is upset when she realizes that Ruth is contemplating an abortion. It is clear that Beneatha and Asagai love each other, but there are hints of philosophical disagreement. Ruths maternal responsibilities force her to consider broader social forces at play. Our summaries and analyses are written by experts, and your questions are answered by real teachers. She is, to Asagai, a person for whom "bread food is not enough.". What is Hansberry saying by including the subsequent stage direction? Complete your free account to request a guide. You can view our. Purchasing 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. -He is not as excited as the others 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. Having seen several conflicts unfold in the play at this point, which of these would have arisen regardless of the arrival of the check? After he leaves, What do we learn about each from this incident? They do not seem happy, yet they engage in some light humor. How is Mama and Walter's conflict generational, as well as a clash of ideals? With or without the arrival of the insurance check, Walter would still long for independence and a sense of self worth. Beneathas hair is also tied to her identity as a woman and traditional i.e., white notions of feminine beauty. Free trial is available to new customers only. You don't have to ride to work on the back of nobody's streetcar Prior to the civil rights movement, which reached its peak in the sixties, segregated facilities, separating whites from blacks, were common in the south, where "Jim Crow" laws made it legal. 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. Beneatha says that her hair was once like his, but that she finds it too raw that way. A2S3 Who is Mr. Lindner? 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. Share your findings with the class. She shuts herself into their bedroom. This shows Mama's ignorance of their African heritage and its significance to Beneatha. A3S1 Why does Walter call Mr. Lindner? 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. A1S2 Why does Mama mention Tarzan to Asagai? Some word pairs will be antonyms, some will be synonyms, and some will simply be words often used in the same context. Do you side with one more than with the other? WebRuth and Benetha appear to have the stereotypical sister rivalry. -Mama chose it because it was the cheapest house she could find. The fact that Travis is so intrigued by a rat, rather than being afraid, seems to emphasize his life of poverty. How is Mama's reaction to the gift different from the way the others react? How does Ruth behave when she learns about the rat -One wants her to be happy and the other wants her to be pretty Mama and Ruth begin to tease Beneatha about the many activities that she tries and quits, including her latest attempt to learn how to play the guitar. This important part of the play comes at the end of Act Two Scene 1 and we can clearly see the various hopes of dreams of the characters involved. 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! Hay-lo Beneatha answers the telephone with this greeting, a combination of "Hey" and "Hello.". SparkNotes PLUS Which issues might have simply festered under the surface? Once again, we see how protective Mama is of her family. "Explain the different reactions of Ruth and Walter to Mama's announcement that she has bought a house in A Raisin in the Sun." What is the connection between Langston Hughes's "Harlem (A Dream Deferred)" and the central theme of Lorraine Hansberry's play A Raisin in the Sun? BENEATHA: It is my businesswhere is he going to live, on the roof? Mira el retrato (portrait) del nio y lee el prrafo. WebHow do Ruth and the other family members react to the news of the pregnancy? Rather, they live in a world in which being middle class is also a dream. How do you form that impression? The tension evoked by issues of money and manhood comes sharply into focus when Travis asks for fifty cents. She and Mama discuss Beneathas worries about her familys ignorance about Africa and African people. A2S2 What does Travis want to be when he grows up? Why? -Mama wants to stay at the apartment (she's given up). Meanwhile, Beneatha is spraying the apartment with insecticide in an attempt to rid it of cockroaches. 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. She reveals this information to Mama and Beneatha. (one code per order). By entering your email address you agree to receive emails from SparkNotes and verify that you are over the age of 13. -Mama likes her plant so much because it makes their tiny apartment homier. A3S1 What does Mama mean when she observes that Walter has finally "come into his manhood"? Latest answer posted June 28, 2020 at 11:07:39 AM. Mama tries to help her relax. Why did Mama choose this location? What does Asagai's use of a different name imply and foreshadow? -George doesn't care. -Bennie really likes him and he gives her a gift 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. A2S3 What do you think Mama would have said and done if she had been at home when Mr. Lindner visited? -Walter's jealous of the way he grew up A Raisin in the Sun Act I, Scene ii Summary & Analysis What are the physical traits of Lena, Walter, Beneatha, Ruth, George, and Joseph? Beneatha's soft acceptance of this assessment of herself shows that she does indeed see herself in this light. Asagai sees Beneatha's haircut as an example of assimilationisman acceptance of white oppression and a rejection of her African heritage. How does Walter react to that idea? Ruth and Beneatha are worried and uncertain, while Mama simply expresses her hope that the baby will be a girl. 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. You'll be able to access your notes and highlights, make requests, and get updates on new titles. 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. When Mama announces that she has bought a house in A Raisin in the Sun, Ruth reacts joyfully, and expresses happiness over her pregnancy for the first time because Mamas news means that Ruth's old worries and stresses are now a thing of the past. Their small dwelling on the South Side of Chicago has two bedroomsone for Mama and Beneatha, and one for Ruth and Walter Lee. -Bennie is going on about she doesn't believe in God. Mama implores Walter to honor his fathers memory and take pride in his own manhood by convincing Ruth to not have an abortion. What subtle glimpse into Beneatha's soul does this conversation provide? -Mama is very religious. Ruth returns from seeing a doctor, who has told her that she is two months pregnant. She reveals this information to Mama and Beneatha. Ruth and Beneatha are worried and uncertain, while Mama simply expresses her hope that the baby will be a girl. Ruth calls the doctor she, which arouses Mamas suspicion because their family doctor is a man. -Makes the mad, sad, and fearful A1S2 How does Ruth behave when she learns about the rat? creating and saving your own notes as you read. on 50-99 accounts. The original text plus a side-by-side modern translation of. Walterreceives a phone call from his friend Willy Harris, who is coordinating the potential liquor store venture. 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. -surface: been married a long time and are struggling to be happy together. $24.99 Beneatha and Mama are busy doing weekend housecleaning when Ruth comes in, announcing sadly that she is pregnant. Circle the correct form Although the Younger family seems alienated from white middle-class culture, they harbor the same materialistic dreams as the rest of American society. The original production of this play, as well as the original movie screenplay, does not contain the incident involving Travis' chasing a huge rat while he is downstairs playing with his friends in the street. Do you think she is being fair? Ruth never had a Youve successfully purchased a group discount. Creating notes and highlights requires a free LitCharts account. 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. For Mama, the next generation their hope. 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. Instant PDF downloads. For her, their present abode is a source of oppression for them and is a great stress. Latest answer posted December 17, 2020 at 11:09:16 AM. The issue of the money has caused none of the family's conflicts. The issue of the check serves only to exacerbate the conflicts that already exist. Beneatha argues that the money belongs to Mama and that Mama has the right to decide how it is spent. Why does she lie to Travis? 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. She does so literally in this scene by holding the insurance check. Nigeria finally became independent and a member of the British Commonwealth of Nations, and, in 1963, it became a republic. They're like having in-class notes for every discussion!, This is absolutely THE best teacher resource I have ever purchased. Beneatha contends that, for that very reason, any further relationship is pointless, as Georges family wouldnt approve of her anyway. It foreshadows two things: first, that she will allow her hair to return to its natural state, and second, that Beneatha will get together with Asagai and possibly go to Africa with him. -Mama is very happy and says nice things about it 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. This scene also reveals Walters growing restlessness, as well as the desperation with which Ruth is trying to hold her family together. Walter explains that his work as a white mans chauffeur is emasculating and limits his hopes for a better future. -Mama is being fair because he is wasting away his life PDFs of modern translations of every Shakespeare play and poem. Sometimes it can end up there. $24.99 Want 100 or more? -Visits to tell them that they do not want colored people in their neighborhood and offers to buy them out. What is significant about the exchange between Beneatha and Asagai about Beneatha's hair? Dont have an account? Act I Scene 1, Next Both interpretations seem valid. 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. George, on the one hand, represents total assimilation into white culture. They are simply caught up in the excitement of the moment the receipt of the check. Historical Context Essay: A Raisin in the Sun on the Brink of the 1960s, Literary Context Essay: Hansberry, Langston Hughes, & the Harlem Renaissance. $18.74/subscription + tax, Save 25% It is difficult in such a crowded atmosphere as the Younger household for one person to be singled out and heard. This upsets Ruth because it serves as yet another reminder of her own poverty, and her inability to give her son a better life. Act 1 | The Crucible Questions | Q & A | GradeSaver Read more about what Walter plans to do with the insurance money. Why is Ruth upset by Travis's talk of the rat? Merely going through the motions of life is not enough for a person like Beneatha; she has to question every philosophy for herself. Compare and contrast Joseph Asagai with George Murchison in A Raisin in the Sun. Read more about Walters perception of who the antagonists are in the play. Use up and down arrows to review and enter to select. WebWhile waiting for Travis, Mama asks Ruth about her visit to the doctor, and Ruths use of the pronoun she to refer to the doctor makes Mama immediately suspicious. Travis A3S1 What does Asagai propose that Beneatha do? Although they are poor, still their house is clean; although the furniture is old, there is still the ritualistic weekly polishing. How much is a biblical shekel of silver worth in us dollars? What does her purchase show about her personality? A3S1 What childhood winter memory does Beneatha share with Asagai? What does she mean? -He is the welcoming committee at their new neighborhood Do you have pictures of Gracie Thompson from the movie Gracie's choice. How does the piece of paper that arrives affect each member of the family? SparkNotes Plus subscription is $4.99/month or $24.99/year as selected above. They keep mentioning a check. Will he try to stop Ruth? Mama tries to help her relax. 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. eNotes Editorial, 16 June 2020, https://www.enotes.com/homework-help/explain-the-different-reactions-of-ruth-and-262577. The Nigerian robes symbolize African heritage. sentence 1 (subject of a question): 2 (subject of a subordinate clause): 3 (direct object of a verb); 4 Owning a house had always been a dream she had shared with her husband, and now that he is gone she nurtures this dream even more powerfully. - There is a mix of happy, excited, and curious to see what's next. on 2-49 accounts, Save 30% While most of their dreams involve the acquisition of some markers of success, such as a home, large cars, and privileged education, Beneatha has to begin by first ridding herself of the bugs that plague her current situation. Why does Beneatha want to become a doctor? Does Ruth agree? Ruth comes into the room just as Travis goes downstairs to get the mail. Ruth gets up first and after some noticeable difficulty, rouses Travis and Walter as she makes breakfast. A2S3 What effect does Mr. Lindner's visit have on the family's mood? They discuss the man that Beneatha has been dating, George Murchison. Ruth feels ill and anxious about her pregnancy. There is an issue that needs to be discussedRuth's pregnancybut Walter does not know that there is an issue. Read an essay about how A Raisin in the Sun debuted at the start of the volatile 1960s. During the 1950s, abortion was illegal, but Ruth has valid reasons for not wanting her pregnancy. He thinks that she should be doing something more womanly than studying medicine, especially since her tuition will cut into the check, which is the insurance payment for their fathers death. While Travis gets ready in the communal bathroom, Ruth and Walter talk in the kitchen. They do not seem happy, yet they engage in some light humor. They keep mentioning a check. Walter scans the front page of the newspaper and reads that another bomb was set off, and Ruth responds with indifference. Once upon a time freedom used to be lifenow its money. Another issue that arises is that of Walter's manhood: how he defines it and how his mother defines it. Walter and Ruth, who occupy the middle ground in terms of age between Mama and Beneatha, have also tempered their dreams more than Beneatha has. The following morning, Saturday, is the day that the check is expected to arrive. Similarly, it is difficult for her to care for her family as much as she wants and to have her family members grow as much as she wants. She is experiencing a spiritual longing. Why? 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. Wed love to have you back! Mama apparently donates money to missionary causes, while Beneatha believes that American and European missionaries do more harm than good in Africa. Suddenly, there is a commotion in the street, and. The reader may wonder how these situations might have festered in the minds of the characters if these conflicts had not been brought to the forefront. 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. -Because she believes that dreaming will take you nowhere in life and it's point less. Describe Walter's relationship with Ruth in A Raisin in the Sun. A Raisin in the Sun Act I, Scene i Summary & Analysis From his perspective, he enters the apartment excited about the money, and is dismissed and treated like a child. 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. Dont have an account? Note the way she responds:HALLELUJAH! creating and saving your own notes as you read. Answered by Aslan on 7/25/2017 10:26 PM Ruth - Attitude is very kind and sweet towards Mama She reminds the family of the importance of family and history, and she holds the power to make economic decisions.