A Raisin in the Sun: Act 2 What would you do if you suddenly came into more money than you ever thought possible? Ruthrejoices, but Walter feels betrayed, his dream swept under the table. nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, nationalist movement Murchison, on the other hand, knows nothing of his African past, despises the little he knows of his heritage, and, therefore, hates himself. The lion is waking This phrase refers to all of the African countries that were beginning to demand their independence of colonial rule. Your subscription will continue automatically once the free trial period is over. Beneatha believes that society must be changed through self-knowledge and, thus, through consciousness and celebration of ones heritage. PDFs of modern translations of every Shakespeare play and poem. serve several purposes in a work of literature. In this play, the educated and wealthy George Murchison represents the black person whose own self-hatred manifests itself as contempt for other blacks. Subscribe now. prominent Chicago resident, Hereros of Southwest Africa: the Hereros Thanks for creating a SparkNotes account! What allusion is Beneatha making in the following passage? The British attack on Benin, ironically, was initially to retaliate for the killing of nine European travelers. heathenism Mamas sense of dignity and personal pride contribute to her prohibition of this racial slur in her household. He was crowned Emperor in 1930. March 3, 2023, SNPLUSROCKS20 [Y]our daddys gonna make a . He says that he feels depressed, despondent, and useless as the man of the family. This scene is often the most misinterpreted of all the scenes in the play. Everyone is shocked, amazed, and slightly disappointed with Beneatha, prompting a fierce discussion between Beneatha and George about the importance of their African heritage. intellectual point of view but that she does pots. The "Mrs. Johnson" character brings laughter to the scene, for she is a comical figure, but she also expresses sentiments that have always been prevalent in the black community. Therefore, although she means only to find the best for her family, she also succumbs to the powerful materialism that drives the desires of the society around her. Mr. Linder is "quiet-looking". The "American Dream" that she describes and the one that currently exists are vastly different. Means that you should forgive and forget about it when someone disappoints you. George does not seem interested. Why does Lindner try to convince the Younger family not to move? Renews March 10, 2023 Acd English I / Duryea-Lojko Name ____________________ | By 1180, however, a group of rival tribes united as the nation of Mali, ravaged Ghana, and put an end to its empire. Clearly, Hansherry uses her own family's livelihood as being the livelihood of the rich black family in Raisin. Mama takes a stance against Mrs. Johnsons defeatist brand of assimilation, standing up for her children and their dreams for a better future. some Middle Eastern traders settled there, Ethiopian history cites Queen Makeda of Ethiopia and King Solomon as being the parents of Menelik I who, during his reign, founded the kingdom of Ethiopia in 10 B.C. This alludes to the slaves brought here from Africa. George calls Walter Lee "Prometheus" in order to subtly insult Walter, but mainly to point out Walter's lack of learning. One way for them to escape this entrapment, though, seems to be through a reliance on each other. CliffsNotes study guides are written by real teachers and professors, so no matter what you're studying, CliffsNotes can ease your homework headaches and help you score high on exams. Georges obsessions seem similarhaving achieved wealth, he sees it as justifying his own sense of superiority. 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. What similarities and differences do you find? read analysis of Beneathas Hair, The insurance payment that results from Big Walters death illustrates the tremendous sacrifice that makes at least some of the Youngers dreams a reality. This character, however, was cut from the original stage production in order to reduce production costs. This desire to join white culture, referred to as assimilationism, was a contentious issue for the Black community in the 1950s and 1960s. The original text plus a side-by-side modern translation of. As the economy of Benin grew to depend upon the slave trade, internal strife once again claimed an empire as Benin declined and was eventually overwhelmed by the British. It's not education he doesn't believe init's education for women. Use up and down arrows to review and enter to select. Act 2 of A Raisin in the Sun has several themes. groups. You just name it, son . A Raisin in the Sun Act II Scene 1 Summary and Analysis Act II Scene 1 Summary Later that Saturday, dressed in her new Nigerian robes and headdress, Beneatha dances to African music while simultaneously giving Ruth an impromptu lesson in its significance. Jesus emphasizes that we should do good to those who wrong us. Opines that home alone ii and rapid fire were my only qualms about the play. to start your free trial of SparkNotes Plus. LitCharts Teacher Editions. Mrs. Johnsons imagined headline gives voice to the Youngers own worst fears about the outcome of their move, and also imply that Mrs. Johnson doesn't want to see the Youngers thrive or do well in a way she herself isn't. But, of all the superior works of art that came out of Africa, the most remarkable were those found in Benin. Act 2, Scene 3 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. For Mama, ownership of the house symbolizes personal freedom as well. Walter both abhors Georges outward signs of wealth, such as his outfit, and deeply covets them, as evidenced by his attempt to interest George in his business ideas. Allusions from each act of the book Raisin in the Sun School Best notes for high school - US Degree Standard Grade Junior Course English literature and composition Academic year2017/2018 Helpful? 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. Act II Scene 2, Mrs. Johnson (Mrs. Wilhelmina Othella Johnson). essay see discussions, stats, and author profiles for this publication at: have dream discrimination in lorraine raisin in the sun accolades. . Allusions Mamas explains that her choice of neighborhood was financial, but, as evidenced by her reluctance to sharing this detail with Ruth and Walter, she clearly has some concerns about the situation. Act 3 BENEATHA (Emerging grandly from the doorway so that Struggling with distance learning? Act II Scene 1, Next Read an essay on the concepts of the Old Negro and the New Negro.. U. Meanwhile, Ruth falls in the middle of this debate, possessing neither Georges social standing nor Beneathas fierce dedication to a largely foreign cultural identity. His comments put him further at odds with Beneatha, and she begins to feel more of an affinity with Asagai and her African roots than with George and what she considers to be his false roots in American society. He goes quickly to his bedroom, and Mama remains sitting and worrying. . He thinks, void in our lives, and we attempt to fill it. streetcar, Act 2, Scene 1 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. He suggested that blacks devote themselves to agriculture, mechanics, domestic service, and the professions placing more value on acquiring an industrial skill than on attaining a seat in Congress. By the 1470s, Songhai had become the largest and richest country in Africa, boasting the city of Timbuktu, which was the center of learning and trade for the Muslim world. Period 5 1844 - 1877 Amsco Note Taking Guide (Ch. Contact us Teach your students to analyze literature like LitCharts does. Timbuktu, once the center of learning, became a tiny desert town, important only because of its history. Nonetheless, in a rare moment of intimacycreated when Ruth makes it clear that her offers of food are not ways to avoid his dreams but the only way she can support himthe couple seems to make limited progress towards solving the problems in their marriage, although they still lack agreement on several important issues. The bigger the dream gets, the more preposterous it sounds because Walter soon begins to talk about his future gardener, to whom he has given the first name of "Jefferson." void in our lives, and we attempt to fill it Previous Her pregnancy is no longer a burden, but instead signifies hope and expectation. She is simultaneously showing off her You are responsible for researching the allusions as we read. Creating notes and highlights requires a free LitCharts account. (including. betterment of "people of color." W. E. When Beneatha reenters, dressed for her date with George, she is wearing a natural hairstyle. on 2-49 accounts, Save 30% Washington, historically a hero to many in the Black community, preached assimilation into mainstream America as the primary goal of Black Americans. Although Asagai has received a Western-style education, as George Murchison has, Asagai does not have a problem of identity. Find related themes, quotes, symbols, characters, and more. sharecroppers, Copyright 2023 StudeerSnel B.V., Keizersgracht 424, 1016 GC Amsterdam, KVK: 56829787, BTW: NL852321363B01, has a lot of allusions is an understatement. Hansberry makes it clear here that George and Beneatha are not compatible. period and they also help to develop characterization, conflict, and theme. (including. 13), N. Period 4 1800 - 1848 Amsco Note Taking Guide (Ch. and I hand you the world! Of all the characters, Asagai appears to be the most serene, even when his is contemplating justifiable reasons for anxiety that is, the political turmoil within his homeland and the possibility of his own death in his desire for his country's independence. In addition, this scene illustrates how difficult it is to be Walter Lee Younger without being bitter. They are fair game and Beneatha intellectualizes everything, is clearly independent, does not defer to men, and argues whatever points of chauvinism she finds in her conversation with men. They're like having in-class notes for every discussion!, This is absolutely THE best teacher resource I have ever purchased. . Indeed, in the episode with Mrs. Johnson, it becomes clear that Mama agrees with Beneatha far more than one might expect. How does Walter plan to use the insurance money? Advancement of Colored People, is a civil Refine any search. Garbo: legendary actress of 1930s; Subscribe now. He is overwhelmed and his sudden exuberance over this financial windfall leads him to share some of his many fantasies with Travis. Detailed quotes explanations with page numbers for every important quote on the site. who was punished by Zeus for stealing. . Beneatha uses her natural hair as a visible marker of her protest against assimilation, while George uses his social status in order to reap the benefits of membership in the mainstream of society. Because Beneatha is not accustomed to African dress, she does not "wear" it properly. If you don't see it, please check your spam folder. My students love how organized the handouts are and enjoy tracking the themes as a class., Requesting a new guide requires a free LitCharts account. Menelik II is also responsible for relocating the capital at Addis Ababa and for modernizing the operation of government. They're like having in-class notes for every discussion!, This is absolutely THE best teacher resource I have ever purchased. Contained in an early sixties song, subtitled "The Lion Sleeps Tonight," the word was made popular by Pete Seeger and the Weavers. Only white families populated suburban television programs and magazine advertisements. Meanwhile, Walter returns home drunk. The doorbell rings suddenly, and George Murchison arrives for his theater date with Beneatha. Refine any search. A frustrated and angered Mama retaliates by calling him a fool. Mrs. Johnson leaves the apartment. From the creators of SparkNotes, something better. Mama feels guilty for his unhappiness and tells him that she has never done anything to hurt her children. Meanwhile, Walter is noticeably upset because he wants to put all the money into the liquor store venture. Mrs. Johnsonthe Youngers neighborvisits. the back of his hand, and straddling a chair back-. Words 412. Definitions and examples of 136 literary terms and devices. Chaka: he became chief of the Zulu clan Walter, whether consciously or not, is acting as if his and his sons interests are more important than Beneathas, even though Beneatha has proven she is intellectually capable. 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. He implies in his speech that men do not like aggressive, independent, liberated women, and that if she ever hopes to get married and have a family, she is going to have to "drop the Garbo routine," meaning she will have to stop studying and thinking so much, and start acting "like a [submissive] woman.". In 1959, the dream was to work hard and live a comfortable life. Why do the Youngers decide to go through with the move? She values her mothers support, especially as it bears on her identity and self-worth as a woman. Since the audience for this plays initial run was mostly white, such a threat to white dominance was extremely revolutionary. By entering your email address you agree to receive emails from SparkNotes and verify that you are over the age of 13. knowledge of the Bible by quoting a 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. $18.74/subscription + tax, Save 25% (including. A Raisin in the Sun. He felt that they should develop manual skills and improve their craft at the building trades and that blacks should become experts in farming. To this day, the name Shaka Zulu garners high praise in military circles and commands great respect. A Raisin in The Sun Forbidden Fruit Biblical Allusions Turn the other cheek The phrase "turn the other cheek" is taught in the Sermon on the Mount, found in Matthew 5:38-59. After George's exit, Walter Lee and Ruth reminisce about their early days together and contrast their early dreams and warm feelings for one another, compared to now, when they seem to be slipping away from one another. "My students can't get enough of your charts and their results have gone through the roof." Sometimes it can end up there. About Press Copyright Contact us Creators Advertise Developers Terms Privacy Policy & Safety How YouTube works Test new features NFL Sunday Ticket Press Copyright . Hansberry has one of her characters call Booker T. Washington a "fool," which is an elitist comment since only the very well read of her audience would even have known of the political rivalry between the two men. Prometheus As noted later in the character analysis of Walter Lee Younger, George Murchison's reference to Prometheus fits Walter's fiery personality, along with several other parallels. Many Black peoplehad begun to reject assimilationist ideals, believing by this time that mainstream America would always mean white America and that assimilating into this culture would always mean degrading themselves to fit white societys perceptions of how Black peopleshould be and act. Known mainly for his founding of Tuskegee Institute, Washington believed that blacks should be educated only by trade schools. George is pedantic an academic show-off constantly making literary allusions even when he knows that this information is lost upon his audience. In this play, Hansberry attempted, in her own small way, to educate the world about Africa through her drama about a poor black family living on Chicago's Southside. Morgan Park: Also, Ruth reveals her lack of knowledge about things African as she questions Beneatha about the Nigerian outfit and dance. This alludes to Napoleon Bonaparte, the French emperor who tried to take over Europe. and currently active across the U., Du Bois, educated at Fisk, Harvard, and the University of Berlin, was a writer and political activist, activities which Washington perceived as frivolous. Tarzan Near the end of the play, Mama is talking to Beneatha about marrying George Murchison. The original text plus a side-by-side modern translation of. 20% 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. Beneatha removes her headdress to reveal that she has cut off most of her hair, leaving only an unstraightened afro. Share your findings with the class. Mama, still smarting over Walter's previous accusation that she "butchered" his dream, decides to entrust Walter with the responsibility for the remaining money, stipulating that he first deposit $3,000 for Beneatha's education. Continue to start your free trial. Within the small details of the play, the use of allusions deepen the contextual support of the text. Answers: 1. For much of its history, Ethiopia was known as Abyssinia. Walter makes Mama feel guilty, saying that she has crushed his dream. sophisticated girl. Mama comes in as Beneatha kicks him out. Steel Therefore, Hansberry performs a radical act in claiming the general American dream for Black Americans. Hansberry does not mention the slave trading aspect of West African history in this play; possibly she believed that this fact would be intentionally misinterpreted. Complete your free account to access notes and highlights. George tells Beneatha that she is too much of an intellectual and that men don't like opinionated, liberated women. Using garment catalogs, compare sizing charts. As Beneatha dances in a robe that Asagai gives her, George deems her interest in her African roots absurd. Betrayals of A Raisin in the Sun One simple act of betrayal can break bonds between two people once one dishonors the other. At this point, we should note that although Hansberry lauds the Ashanti empires specifically and speaks highly of the art of Benin through the dialogue of her character, Beneatha, Hansberry, herself, in other essays, refers specifically to the Ashanti as "those murderous, slave trading Ashanti." Walter seems to care more for Traviss education than for Beneathas, partly because Travis is his child and partly because Beneatha is a woman. Now, rather than insisting that she can't understand her children, Mama is trying to support them. Act II Scene 3. He says, for example, that one day he will come in from work, "home from my office downtown," and even Travis is incredulous as he reminds his father, "You don't work in no office, Daddy." To say that A Raisin in the Sun has a lot of allusions is an understatement. How has the atmosphere in the Younger apartment changed since the first scene? Mrs. Miniver by Jan Struther, the film Describes the roles of cedric young and walter lee younger in in the heat of the night. Act 1 of 'A Raisin in the Sun' is the introduction to a famous play by Lorraine Hansberry. Historical Context Essay: A Raisin in the Sun on the Brink of the 1960s, Literary Context Essay: Hansberry, Langston Hughes, & the Harlem Renaissance. George wants Beneatha to be more quiet and submissive. Caucasus, where his liver was torn out every day by an eagle but grew back each night. Washington felt that having a trade was more logical for black people than painting or poetry. Mama's feeble plant represents her family's deferred dreams for a better future, which have struggled to survive under the strain of life in Chicago's South Side. 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. For Mama, the earlier events of the day, with the talk of abortion, signaled a low point for her family. 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. 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. In a change from her earlier stance, Mama rejects Mrs. Johnson argument, acknowledging the emasculating aspect of her sons work. Our, "Sooo much more helpful thanSparkNotes. Are you sure you want to remove #bookConfirmation# PDF downloads of all 1699 LitCharts literature guides, and of every new one we publish. He needs the dream to be his ownhe needs to be the one providing. Still others insisted that these works, found in Africa, had been the products of the European Renaissance. 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. 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. 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. wits by a third, Rhett Butler. Mama says this to Travis as she tells him about the house that she is planning to buy. Instant downloads of all 1699 LitChart PDFs Stowe's book; black man who accepts the Asked by Aziz A. . segregation, and to work for the 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.". Instead, she wants to engage George in a conversation about the plight of Black Americans. ? 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. After the fall of the Songhai Empire, the days of the great black kingdoms of West Africa were over. Act II Scene 2. Instant PDF downloads. The most recent editions (the complete version) of Raisin includes this character, as did the American Playhouse presentation of this play. Lorraine Hansberry's father was a successful real estate businessman; apparently, the Murchison family of Raisin is equally successful, for Walter refers to the Murchisons' purchase of a big hotel on the "Drive." This scene separates George and Asagai into completely different categories where George, as his common name suggests, represents a Black person assimilating into the white world, while Asagai, with his ethnically rich name, stands for the New Africanist culture that those who oppose assimilation pursue. These allusions reference the outside world, but also give emphasis on the importance of the piece of the text references. Alludes to Greek mythology when Prometheus took fire from the gods and shared it with people. Period 5 1844 - 1877 Amsco Note Taking Guide (Ch. Mali's most well-known king, Mansa Musa, advanced his civilization to a point of such great wealth that when he made his pilgrimage to Mecca, he spent more than a hundred camel-loads of gold on his holy trip. When he heard about Hampton Institute in Virginia, a school for blacks, he enrolled in order to study brick masonry, paying for his education by working as the janitor. Traditionally, "crackers" refers to bigoted whites, especially those living in Georgia; here, Ruth is using the term to derogatorily refer to all white racists. And when Mrs. Johnson goes on to say that Washington "was one of our great men," Mama counters, almost angrily, with, "Who said so?" PDF downloads of all 1699 LitCharts literature guides, and of every new one we publish. 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 It means that the white people in Chicago are being violent towards African Americans. Still, her warning to the Youngers was a reality in 1959, when this play opened, and, unfortunately, in some communities, even today. George and his family, however, believe that they should become wealthy and perhaps achieve respect through their economic status, which demands a certain degree of assimilation into the dominant, white culture. In this scene, another character is introduced, a neighbor, Mrs. Johnson. The coastal people who had once been ruled by empires in the interior soon began to trade slaves and gold for firearms and ammunition since lances, spears, and arrows were no match against the rifles and cannons of the Arabs and Europeans. All of this confusion was due to the widespread ignorance of Africa, its traditions, its people and their capabilities, and the great lost civilizations. You'll be able to access your notes and highlights, make requests, and get updates on new titles. Washington believed strongly that artistic endeavors and intellectual pursuits were not in the best interest of black people trying to emerge from a long period of slavery. She believes, as did many in the postWorld War II consumer culture, that, to some degree at least, ownership can provide happiness. After Mrs. Johnson leaves and Mama learns that Walter has not been to work in three days, she feels responsible for his despair ("I been doing to you what the rest of the world been doing to you"), so responsible, in fact, that she gives him $6500, all that's left of the insurance check after her downpayment of $3500 on the Clybourne Park house, so that he can feel that he is the "man of the house." 10), L. Period 5 1844 - 1877 Amsco Note Taking Guide (Ch. lead lives of quiet desperation." He thinks They all become worried when they hear that the house is in Clybourne Park, an entirely white neighborhood. touched by World War II. Impact- Beneatha is saying that if she In 1959, when this play opened, many blacks who had only recently left the south were surprised to find a different type of racism in the north. This means that African Americans are ignorant about Africa. Why should you consider care needs be fore buying a garment? Hansberry has the comical character of Mrs. Johnson act as the defender of Booker T. Washington's philosophy, as she says, "I always thinks like Booker T. Washington said that time 'Education has spoiled many a good plow hand.'" They continue to fight, as they put their own concerns before each others and before their marriage. Alludes to Moses, who led his people out of the wilderness to the Promised Land. Act 1, Scene 1 Nigeria 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. Struggling with distance learning? Definitions and examples of 136 literary terms and devices. The free trial period is the first 7 days of your subscription. Summary and Analysis Menelik II initiated the modern age of Ethiopian development by defeating the Italians, who were trying to establish a protectorate over Ethiopia. If you don't see it, please check your spam folder. bookmarked pages associated with this title. Read more about Beneathas hair as a symbol. Mamas dilemma highlights the racial prejudices that severely limited African Americans options for suitable, safe, and affordable housing in segregated cities. Butterfly than a Nigerian; the allusion on 50-99 accounts. A Raisin in the Sun Allusions and Symbols, MvA Quiz General Info + Multiple Regression. This alludes to Emmett Till. Dive into a thorough description and analysis of Act 1: Scene 1 and Act 1: Scene 2 of this production . lynching 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! missionary work Students also viewed Symbolism in The Namesake My Sister's Keeper Book Project She dances around the apartment, claiming to be performing a tribal dance while shouting "OCOMOGOSIAY" and singing. Prometheus' suffering lasted for thousands of years until Hercules killed the eagle and freed Prometheus. creating and saving your own notes as you read. Central Idea Essay: Why Does Mama Want to Own Property? Mama tries to convince Walter to accept her dream and to recognize its value, but he cannot.