touched by World War II. The Youngers apartment is full of moving boxes. During the following decades, Haile Selassie became a symbol of leadership to other African nations that eventually would demand their independence. 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."
A Raisin in the Sun: Act 1, Scene 2 Summary & Analysis Mrs. Johnson's implication is that it is easier to survive the blatant racism of a 1959 southern town than it is to be prepared for the hidden, and therefore more dangerous, racism of the urban ghettos. Removing #book# Still, her desire is somewhat radical, because Black Americans were largely left out of depictions of the American dream during this period. The free trial period is the first 7 days of your subscription. Walter suddenly becomes more confident and energized. Mama takes a stance against Mrs. Johnsons defeatist brand of assimilation, standing up for her children and their dreams for a better future. Answers: 1. Washington, historically a hero to many in the Black community, preached assimilation into mainstream America as the primary goal of Black Americans. Act 2 of A Raisin in the Sun has several themes. The insurance money again functions as a wedge that drives the family members farther apart. You may cancel your subscription on your Subscription and Billing page or contact Customer Support at custserv@bn.com. 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. Refine any search. 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. A RAISIN IN THE SUN By: Lorraine Hansberry ACT II SCENE ONE Time: Later the same day. . Walters view of education seems to fall somewhere between Beneathas and Georges views. Sometimes it can end up there. 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. PDF downloads of all 1699 LitCharts literature guides, and of every new one we publish. Additionally, at this point Ruth is unable or unwilling to combat her husbands irresponsibility with the familys financial security, leaving the room after she hears enough of his drunken ramblings. who was punished by Zeus for stealing. 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. 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." old man is all right, man. for a group? 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." Mama and Ruth offer her food and drink, and she gladly accepts. Walters dreams revolve around wealth; they center on obtaining money itself and are likewise unachievable without money. Allusions In A Raisin In The Sun. 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. Dont have an account?
Act II Scene 1 - CliffsNotes Mama tries to convince Walter to accept her dream and to recognize its value, but he cannot.
and any corresponding bookmarks? He says that he feels depressed, despondent, and useless as the man of the family. Later, Beneatha is surprised that Mama agrees with her decision about George, which indicates a softening of the tensions that had previously plagued their relationship. of the Chicago Tribune newspaper; Hansberry's description of Walter as he chants to the African music with Beneatha includes a reference to Shaka Zulu, or Chaka: "On the table, very far gone, his eyes pure glass sheets. George and Beneatha situate themselves on opposing sides of the argument surrounding African-American assimilation. This shows that her desire to get an abortion was entirely the product of the family's poverty, not a personal choice. 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. U. PDFs of modern translations of every Shakespeare play and poem. Are you sure you want to remove #bookConfirmation# 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. Le petit Prince Chapitre 7 et 8 questions and answers, TeacherS Guide and Answer KEY for WheelockS Latin, I. RUTH What have we got on tonight! She also prides herself on the fact that the family will own its home, however humble it may be. can't say her opinion, then she's nothing. As Beneatha dances in a robe that Asagai gives her, George deems her interest in her African roots absurd. 14), A. George says, "Goodnight, Prometheus!" LitCharts Teacher Editions. Beneatha goes to change for the theater, and Walter talks to George about business plans. Our, "Sooo much more helpful thanSparkNotes. Students also viewed Symbolism in The Namesake My Sister's Keeper Book Project
Lorraine Hansberry - A Raisin in the Sun (Act II : Scene I) Your group members can use the joining link below to redeem their group membership. slop jars: a large pail used as a chamber Answers: 1. Learn exactly what happened in this chapter, scene, or section of A Raisin in the Sun and what it means. Creating notes and highlights requires a free LitCharts account. read analysis of The Insurance Payment, Instant downloads of all 1699 LitChart PDFs TO CANCEL YOUR SUBSCRIPTION AND AVOID BEING CHARGED, YOU MUST CANCEL BEFORE THE END OF THE FREE TRIAL PERIOD. 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.
Members will be prompted to log in or create an account to redeem their group membership. . Mrs. Johnson criticizes the pride that Beneatha takes in her education, which Mrs. Johnson believes is excessive. in 1816 and founded the great Zulu He also says that Beneatha is a bit too "moody" and artistic; he tells her that he didn't ask her to go on a date with him to discuss her "thoughts.".
A Raisin in the Sun Study Guide (1).pdf - A Raisin in the 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. 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. Detailed explanations, analysis, and citation info for every important quote on LitCharts. simple . 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. Why do the Youngers decide to go through with the move? Her pregnancy is no longer a burden, but instead signifies hope and expectation. Hansberry creates a radical character in Beneatha, one who does not willingly submit to what she calls oppressive white culture. Why should you consider care needs be fore buying a garment?
Allusions In A Raisin In The Sun - Term Paper - TermPaper Warehouse Teach your students to analyze literature like LitCharts does. There are many languages and tribes among the Bantu people thus, the Bantu are one of the many native African groups who speak one of the Bantu languages. dramatic, mysterious; George calls Would not have made it through AP Literature without the printable PDFs.
A Raisin in the Sun Act 2 Jeopardy Template essay see discussions, stats, and author profiles for this publication at: have dream discrimination in lorraine raisin in the sun Youve successfully purchased a group discount. intellectual point of view but that she does, lead lives of quiet desperation." Garbo: legendary actress of 1930s; Ruth "affects" or "puts on" a tea party voice, purposely sounding pretentious . Ruth is apprehensive, almost frightened, when she hears that the new house is located in the all-white neighborhood of Clybourne Park. Mamas unending devotion to her small houseplant signifies her 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. 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. Now, rather than insisting that she can't understand her children, Mama is trying to support them. Why does Lindner try to convince the Younger family not to move? (one code per order). The original text plus a side-by-side modern translation of. Booker T. Washington Booker T. Washington (1856-1915) was one of the most influential black leaders during the period immediately following Reconstruction (1865-77). "My students can't get enough of your charts and their results have gone through the roof." Teacher Editions with classroom activities for all 1699 titles we cover. title character of the oscar winning 1942 film about a middle-class family's struggle to survive in wartorn Britain; Mama compared to this middle-class housewife who tends roses and represents strength and hope Sunlight vs. Darkness sunlight: goodness; nourishes and allows everything to grow and develop Advancement of Colored People, is a civil A Raisin in the Sun Allusions and Symbols, MvA Quiz General Info + Multiple Regression. Creating notes and highlights requires a free LitCharts account. for a customized plan. Zip. 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 . Allusions Murchison, on the other hand, knows nothing of his African past, despises the little he knows of his heritage, and, therefore, hates himself.
Act II Scene 2 - CliffsNotes Nonetheless, Ruth softly tries to resolve the couples issues, highlighting her dedication to her marriage and family. 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. With his insult to Ruth about African-American women, Walter attempts to blame his own failings and insecurities on the women who surround him. Our, "Sooo much more helpful thanSparkNotes. March 3, 2023, SNPLUSROCKS20 This alludes to Napoleon Bonaparte, the French emperor who tried to take over Europe. Five years later, in 1935, after Selassie had offered his people a written constitution and educational and administrative reforms, Mussolini invaded Ethiopia and occupied the country until 1941, when the British forced the Italians out, and Haile Selassie returned to his throne. It means that Beneatha has no faith in Walter Lee's Leadership, Lena says she saw a cockroach like Napoleon. Share your findings with the class. Ashanti Beneatha's reference to the Ashanti people, along with George Murchison's references to the Songhay Empire, Benin, and the Bantu language, shows that Hansberry herself had some knowledge of the African continent and its culture. Scarlet OHara: The heroine of the book
A Raisin In The Sun Act 2 Study Guide Answers Ruthrejoices, but Walter feels betrayed, his dream swept under the table. 9), Ethics and Social Responsibility (PHIL 1404), Biology 2 for Health Studies Majors (BIOL 1122), Elements of Intercultural Communication (COM-263), Organizational Theory and Behavior (BUS5113), Mathematical Concepts and Applications (MAT112), Professional Application in Service Learning I (LDR-461), Advanced Anatomy & Physiology for Health Professions (NUR 4904), Principles Of Environmental Science (ENV 100), Operating Systems 2 (proctored course) (CS 3307), Comparative Programming Languages (CS 4402), Business Core Capstone: An Integrated Application (D083), 315-HW6 sol - fall 2015 homework 6 solutions, Ch. directions she is said to look more like Packing crates, signifying the family's upcoming move, dot the room. missionary work Jacobs kettle On a Friday night a few weeks later, Beneatha and George return from a date. mistakenly more like Butterfly than any Nigerian This stage direction refers to Beneatha's exuberance after receiving the gift of the Nigerian robes and headdress from Asagai. Ruth and Mama are shocked by Mrs. Johnsons shameless comments, which run counter to the Youngers deep sense of dignity. His wish for Travis seems selfish as well; he wants desperately to feel like a man, and he believes that Traviss success would reflect on his own success as the man of the house. The way the content is organized, Would not have made it through AP Literature without the printable PDFs. 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. Get Annual Plans at a discount when you buy 2 or more! He was crowned Emperor in 1930. Continue to start your free trial. 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. 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. Youve successfully purchased a group discount. What do Biblical allusions do for a piece of literature? 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. A Raisin in the Sun by Lorraine Hansberry is about living the "American Dream". . Are you sure you want to remove #bookConfirmation# They ground the work in a specific time.
George Murchison - CliffsNotes Submitted By. Save over 50% with a SparkNotes PLUS Annual Plan!
Queen Makeda was so impressed with the wisdom of King Solomon that she visited him in Jerusalem, adopted his religion of Judaism and, upon the birth of their first child, who was a male, she crowned this child King of Ethiopia, an act which united the two nations. 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. A critical reading of A Raisin in the Sun offers students many opportunities to evaluate the shifting . Mama tells Walter that the house will be a new beginning, a unifying force that can repair the familys bonds. He is overwhelmed and his sudden exuberance over this financial windfall leads him to share some of his many fantasies with Travis. Opines that home alone ii and rapid fire were my only qualms about the play. George is pedantic, showing off his knowledge, when he says to Walter (after he is safely half-out the door), "Good night, Prometheus.". Walter's already exaggerated dreams, however, suddenly turn into an avalanche of pitiful prattle. A Raisin in the Sun Study Guide Literary Elements: Be ready to identify examples that fit with the following terms. The three of them are shocked to see a white man. Perfect for acing essays, tests, and quizzes, as well as for writing lesson plans. 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. If his family is going to end up in a comfortable home, Would not have made it through AP Literature without the printable PDFs. Walter comes in, after having had a few too many drinks, and joins in Beneatha's ritualistic dance. The overall tone of this scene seems to be anti-assimilationistthat is, the scene seems to value Beneathas expression of her cultural roots. Walter again has the chance to talk Ruth out of having an abortion, but he says nothing. He thinks, void in our lives, and we attempt to fill it. 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. The free trial period is the first 7 days of your subscription. If you don't see it, please check your spam folder. A frustrated and angered Mama retaliates by calling him a fool. Mrs. Johnson leaves the apartment. 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. The Youngers are a family of dreamers who strongly desire upward mobility and improved life circumstances. heathenism The scene closes with Walters description to Travis of his materialistic fantasy about the futureWalter still wants to be a part of the culture that excludes him. Madame Butterfly: Beneatha is dressed in Ruth cannot contain her happiness at the thought of their finally being able to move out of the overcrowded apartment. quiet desperation: "the mass of men the nature of quiet desperation The complete quotation to which George refers is "The mass of men lead lives of quiet desperation," a line from Thoreau's Walden. SparkNotes PLUS 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. Walter makes Mama feel guilty, saying that she has crushed his dream. 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."
A Raisin in the Sun: Whose "American Dream"? - NEH-Edsitement 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. Walter cannot seem to stop, though, and the more he talks to Travis about his dream, the bigger the dream gets. This scene portrays both George Murchison and Booker T. Washington as assimilationists, and Mama refers to them both as fools. While Mama calls George a fool only in response to Beneathas remark, her branding of Booker T. Washington with such an insult has profound historical and cultural implications. He's got a conked head A "conked head" refers to a hairstyle adopted by some black men during the forties and early fifties. 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. You'll be billed after your free trial ends. He needs the dream to be his ownhe needs to be the one providing. SparkNotes PLUS From the creators of SparkNotes, something better. Please wait while we process your payment. 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. Hansberry also uses this scene in order to validate the natural hairstyle (unstraightened hair on black women) a very new concept in 1959 and even considered somewhat radical when this play opened, but a hairstyle which became popular in the late sixties as the "Afro" hairstyle. Detailed quotes explanations with page numbers for every important quote on the site. By signing up you agree to our terms and privacy policy. As I read through A Raisin in the Sun again, I found a decent amount of allusions to the Bible. Scarlett is a shrewd, 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. to Walter Lee. 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. And after a little bit of reading in my own Bible, since I don't know enough about it to just assume, I found out what those allusions meant. Yoruba Ruth finds Beneatha's pageantry silly and questions her about it.
Diction in a Raisin in the Sun | FreebookSummary PDF downloads of all 1699 LitCharts literature guides, and of every new one we publish. For Walter, the fulfillment of Mamas dream for a house spells the death of his own dream for owning a liquor store. for African-Americans in Alabama. groups. may appear on any quiz! Colonialism (British and French) Monsieur le petit bourgeois noir In addition, Beneathas fight with George and the rest of her family represents a larger battle within the Black community over whether to enhance and celebrate their differences from whites or whether to join white culture and try to elevate their status within it. Additionally, the story of the bombing draws attention to the very real dangers that accompany the familys move and the violent extent of Northern racism. Historical Context Essay: A Raisin in the Sun on the Brink of the 1960s, Literary Context Essay: Hansberry, Langston Hughes, & the Harlem Renaissance. Walters excitement builds as he describes his dream of their future house and cars, as well as Traviss potential college education.
Lorraine Hansberry's A Raisin In The Sun - 948 Words | 123 Help Me the actors are excellent. Instead, she wants to engage George in a conversation about the plight of Black Americans. For Mama, ownership of the house symbolizes personal freedom as well. To say that A Raisin in the Sun has a lot of allusions is an understatement. Alludes to Greek mythology when Prometheus took fire from the gods and shared it with people. Allusions, serve several purposes in a work of literature. wits by a third, Rhett Butler. A+ Student Essay: The Role of Money in the Play, Lorraine Hansberry and A Raisin in the Sun Background. She refuses to be taken only as a nice-looking girl, demanding recognition as an independent-minded young woman whose ideas are to be valued. 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. Although she is dressed like a Nigerian woman, she begins to dramatically fan herself in order to accentuate her outfit, but she inadvertently loses the African look and appears more Asian, looking as though she's Madame Butterfly instead of African royalty. You can view our. They continue to fight, as they put their own concerns before each others and before their marriage.