She predicts that the Youngers will also be scared out of the all-white neighborhood once they move in and insults much of the family by calling them a proud-acting bunch of colored folks. She then quotes Booker T. Washington, a famous Black thinker and assimilationist. Clearly, Hansherry uses her own family's livelihood as being the livelihood of the rich black family in Raisin. peckerwoods no-count riff-raff; poor, shiftless, racially prejudiced whites. Allusions that she knows the Bible from an sophisticated girl. Mama comes in as Beneatha kicks him out. A raisin in the sun Act 2 scene 3 Flashcards | Quizlet But Mama explains that a comparable house in a black neighborhood would cost twice as much. bookmarked pages associated with this title. He's got a conked head A "conked head" refers to a hairstyle adopted by some black men during the forties and early fifties. can't say her opinion, then she's nothing. Lorraine Hansberry took the title of A Raisin in the Sun from a line in Langston Hughes's famous 1951 poem "Harlem: A Dream Deferred.". Asked by Aziz A. Uncharacteristically, Walter embraces his African heritage, but only in a fleeting moment of fantasy. Mama's Plant. Subscribe now. Alludes to Greek mythology when Prometheus took fire from the gods and shared it with people. 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. The doorbell rings suddenly, and George Murchison arrives for his theater date with Beneatha. the best little combo in the world This phrase refers to the band of musicians that Walter admires in the Green Hat. This means that African Americans are ignorant about Africa. 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 . You'll be able to access your notes and highlights, make requests, and get updates on new titles. Want 100 or more? Act 2, Scene 3 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. While Walter dreams of providing for his family, his dreams nonetheless revolve around markers of material wealth, such as cars and homes. Beneatha wants to become a doctor to be able to help people. Tarzan He felt that they should develop manual skills and improve their craft at the building trades and that blacks should become experts in farming. Complete your free account to request a guide. verse. 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.". We're sorry, SparkNotes Plus isn't available in your country. Act II Scene 1 - CliffsNotes A Raisin in the Sun by Lorraine Hansberry is about living the "American Dream". $24.99 Georges reference to Prometheus, a Greek demigod who stole fire from Zeus, is intended to mock Walters grand business dreams and also to draw attention to Georges own knowledge (George is putting himself in the position of being the God). It means that the white people in Chicago are being violent towards African Americans. Ruth and Mama are shocked by Mrs. Johnsons shameless comments, which run counter to the Youngers deep sense of dignity. Complete your free account to request a guide. He feels that his job is no better than a slaves job. Describe Walter's change in attitude toward Beneatha. Act II Scene 2 - CliffsNotes nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, especially in the South, directed against, Business Law: Text and Cases (Kenneth W. Clarkson; Roger LeRoy Miller; Frank B. George Murchison - CliffsNotes Mrs. Miniver by Jan Struther, the film ", Previous Uncle Tom: reference to Harriet Beecher A Raisin in the Sun - SparkNotes You'll also receive an email with the link. Colonialism (British and French) 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." Ruth cannot contain her happiness at the thought of their finally being able to move out of the overcrowded apartment. 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. A Raisin In The Sun Act 2 Study Guide Answers an African costume; in the stage The Man / Capn Boss / Mistuh Charley Act II Scene 3. empire by conquering most of southern Filled with renewed hope, Walter tells Travis about his dreams for the future and says that he is about to embark on a new venture a transaction that will change their lives. for a group? 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. Subscribe now. Historical Context Essay: A Raisin in the Sun on the Brink of the 1960s, Literary Context Essay: Hansberry, Langston Hughes, & the Harlem Renaissance. 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. Jesus emphasizes that we should do good to those who wrong us. The Ashanti, originally a part of present-day Ghana, were people within the Ghana Empire whose ascendancy was based on the iron and gold found within this wealthy country. Opines that a raisin in the sun is an excellent play. A Raisin in the Sun: Act 1, Scene 2 Summary & Analysis 13), N. Period 4 1800 - 1848 Amsco Note Taking Guide (Ch. A+ Student Essay: The Role of Money in the Play, Lorraine Hansberry and A Raisin in the Sun Background. This also marks a change in Mama, brought about by the harm she sees that she has done to Walter. Complete your free account to access notes and highlights. accolades. "My students can't get enough of your charts and their results have gone through the roof." A+ Student Essay: The Role of Money in the Play, Lorraine Hansberry and A Raisin in the Sun Background. 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? 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! for a customized plan. Share your findings with the class. 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. As Beneatha dances in a robe that Asagai gives her, George deems her interest in her African roots absurd. Alludes to Greek mythology when Prometheus took fire from the gods and shared it with people. Prometheus: In Greek mythology, a Titan A Raisin in the Sun Analysis - eNotes.com If the salt loses it's savor Comparing sizes. to Walter Lee. . Mrs. Miniver: Inspired by the 1940 novel ? Mama says this to Travis as she tells him about the house that she is planning to buy. 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.". Beneatha Greta Garbo because he thinks Allusions In A Raisin In The Sun - Term Paper - TermPaper Warehouse Beneatha goes to change for the theater, and Walter talks to George about business plans. prominent Chicago resident, Hereros of Southwest Africa: the Hereros Everyone is shocked, amazed, and slightly disappointed with Beneatha, prompting a fierce discussion between Beneatha and George about the importance of their African heritage. This scene emphasizes Beneatha's naivete about African culture, for although she is wearing the Nigerian robe and headdress, she is "fanning herself with an ornate oriental fan" and inadvertently appears more Asian than African. With this money, Mama says, Walter should becomeand should act like he has becomethe head of the family. A Raisin In The Sun Allusion Analysis | ipl.org Bible PDFs of modern translations of every Shakespeare play and poem. . Opines that home alone ii and rapid fire were my only qualms about the play. Mamas sense of dignity and personal pride contribute to her prohibition of this racial slur in her household. 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. His insult packs even more punch in light of Ruths recently discovered pregnancy. 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 . Teach your students to analyze literature like LitCharts does. domination of a white man without Africa George, in contrast, from his self-pride in his own familys success, sees a focus on African heritage as being juvenile. Advancement of Colored People, is a civil On a Friday night a few weeks later, Beneatha and George return from a date. Allusions/Essential Terms in A Raisin in the Sun. Creating notes and highlights requires a free LitCharts account. Beneatha believes in education as a means to understanding and self-fulfillment, while George sees education as a means to get a good job. Caucasus, where his liver was torn out every day by an eagle but grew back each night. Ku Klux Klan: a secret hate group Sometimes it can end up there. U. ''A Raisin in the Sun'' Act 2 Summary & Analysis - Study.com Renews March 10, 2023 pedantic response, a phrase from the Walter, however, is crushed by Mama's news; to him, Mama has "butchered his dream.". These allusions reference the outside world, but also give emphasis on the importance of the piece of the text references. . Scarlet OHara: The heroine of the book Now, rather than insisting that she can't understand her children, Mama is trying to support them. Both Beneatha and George Murchison seem to be pedants, showing off their learning, but George is offensive when he flaunts his knowledge in order to insult and degrade others. Teach your students to analyze literature like LitCharts does. Thus began the Benin practice of making bronze-brass castings to memorialize important events. 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. NAACP: the National Association for the Bantu is the largest language family and Swahili (which consists of Bantu and Arabic) is the most widely spoken. Because her uncle, Leo Hansberry, was a professor of African history at Howard University and, perhaps, because one of his students was Kwame Nkrumah, who led Ghana to independence, Hansberry's major geographical focus here appears to be on the history of Ghana, known prior to its independence as "The Gold Coast." Answers: 1. What do Biblical allusions do for a piece of literature? Most blacks wanting to gain acceptance and possible wealth would have to throw off their African past and assimilate, as George has done, which includes deriding and belittling their African culture. Dive into a thorough description and analysis of Act 1: Scene 1 and Act 1: Scene 2 of this production . . As a result, people within the black community often had negative perceptions about those who adopted this style. She also prides herself on the fact that the family will own its home, however humble it may be. Youve successfully purchased a group discount. SparkNotes Plus subscription is $4.99/month or $24.99/year as selected above. In 1959, the dream was to work hard and live a comfortable life. If the salt loses its savor: Context- Although they clearly do not enjoy Mrs. Johnsons visits, they treat her kindly as a courtesy. British housewife in rural England is Results for a raisin in the sun beneatha hair and identity She has the radio going. This scene clearly reveals Walter Lee's lack of formal education because Walter assumes that George has simply invented the name "Prometheus" to annoy him. This desire to join white culture, referred to as assimilationism, was a contentious issue for the Black community in the 1950s and 1960s. Hansberry wrote her story in 1959. He talks to Travis about his plans, saying that he is going to make a transaction that will make them rich. A Raisin in the Sun Act 2 Audio - YouTube 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. and any corresponding bookmarks? Walters excitement builds as he describes his dream of their future house and cars, as well as Traviss potential college education. By entering your email address you agree to receive emails from SparkNotes and verify that you are over the age of 13. Use up and down arrows to review and enter to select. . 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. Washington, historically a hero to many in the Black community, preached assimilation into mainstream America as the primary goal of Black Americans. Beneatha uses the quote with In a change from her earlier stance, Mama rejects Mrs. Johnson argument, acknowledging the emasculating aspect of her sons work. They ground the work in a specific time. . Bantu The Bantu language is the tongue common to the peoples of Africa who live below the equator. She seems to resent their desire to escape from the place where she herself lives. Walter makes Mama feel guilty, saying that she has crushed his dream. Members will be prompted to log in or create an account to redeem their group membership. PDF downloads of all 1699 LitCharts literature guides, and of every new one we publish. How do Beneatha, Ruth, and Walter react to Mr. Linder's appearance at the door? SWA 3 - Short Writing Assignment to prepare for writing an essay in English. She compares, for example, the overt racism of the south at that time with the covert racism found in the north. Ace your assignments with our guide to A Raisin in the Sun! You may cancel your subscription on your Subscription and Billing page or contact Customer Support at custserv@bn.com. 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. 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. from your Reading List will also remove any Mamas down payment on a house reveals her belief that to be a happy family the Youngers need to own space and property. washbowl or the contents of chamber Walter imagines himself as a great chief, a fantasy that connects to his desire to fulfill a traditional male role as a powerful protector and provider for his family. How does Walter plan to use the insurance money? Mama's unending devotion to her small houseplant signifies her read analysis of Mama's Plant. Walters dreams revolve around wealth; they center on obtaining money itself and are likewise unachievable without money. 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. 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. Want 100 or more? Du Bois, educated at Fisk, Harvard, and the University of Berlin, was a writer and political activist, activities which Washington perceived as frivolous. 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. in Puccini's Italian opera SparkNotes PLUS especially in the South, directed against They ground the work in a specific time who was punished by Zeus for stealing. Creating notes and highlights requires a free LitCharts account. manipulative southern belle who survives 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. silver was the standard price of a slave It seems that George wants to marry a nice . 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. Why do the Youngers decide to go through with the move? 2023 Course Hero, Inc. All rights reserved. 14), A. In Walters eyes, the new house symbolizes the continued deferment of his dream. At rise: RUTH is ironing again. Nigeria 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. slop jars: a large pail used as a chamber The founding of the Organization of African Unity, under Haile Selassie, and the headquartering of the OAU in Addis Ababa attest to the respect that Selassie received from the people of Africa. Dont have an account? 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. Previous and any corresponding bookmarks? Beneatha wants to pursue a degree in medical science. Alludes to Moses, who led his people out of the wilderness to the Promised Land. Detailed explanations, analysis, and citation info for every important quote on LitCharts. A Raisin in the Sun Act II, Scene i Summary & Analysis - SparkNotes Instant PDF downloads. Renew your subscription to regain access to all of our exclusive, ad-free study tools. creating and saving your own notes as you read. All of this confusion was due to the widespread ignorance of Africa, its traditions, its people and their capabilities, and the great lost civilizations. Although Asagai has received a Western-style education, as George Murchison has, Asagai does not have a problem of identity. 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. We're sorry, SparkNotes Plus isn't available in your country. (including. Mamas dilemma highlights the racial prejudices that severely limited African Americans options for suitable, safe, and affordable housing in segregated cities. T he poem's title is an allusion to Langston Hughes' poem "Harlem," which asks, "What happens to a dream deferred?" The . George wants to kiss Beneatha, but she does not want to kiss. The play "A Raisin in The Sun" by Loraine Hansberry is about an African-American family living in Chicago. 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. He is overwhelmed and his sudden exuberance over this financial windfall leads him to share some of his many fantasies with Travis. March 3, 2023, SNPLUSROCKS20 Instant PDF downloads. 1 CHE101 - Summary Chemistry: The Central Science, Dr. Yost - Exam 1 Lecture Notes - Chapter 18, 1.1 Functions and Continuity full solutions. Traditionally, "crackers" refers to bigoted whites, especially those living in Georgia; here, Ruth is using the term to derogatorily refer to all white racists. As I read through A Raisin in the Sun again, I found a decent amount of allusions to the Bible. Refine any search. However, after the death of Askia, the Songhai Empire weakened and was finally conquered by neighboring enemies. Beneatha alludes to the KKK when Ms. Johnson is racist towards their own kind. Although Walter's frustrations of establishing his own business appear to devour his hopes, his obsession with his dream restores his hope. inspired by the former, founded in 1915 as salt" Beneatha counters with a 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. 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. Detailed quotes explanations with page numbers for every important quote on the site. sharecroppers, Copyright 2023 StudeerSnel B.V., Keizersgracht 424, 1016 GC Amsterdam, KVK: 56829787, BTW: NL852321363B01, has a lot of allusions is an understatement. Detailed quotes explanations with page numbers for every important quote on the site. 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. 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. The dancing scene with Beneatha and Walter is difficult to interpret, as the drunken Walter seems to mock the African dances and practices, while Beneatha seems not to comprehend this mocking. From the creators of SparkNotes, something better. This character, however, was cut from the original stage production in order to reduce production costs. pot or to receive waste water from a 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 And when Mrs. Johnson goes on to say that Washington "was one of our great men," Mama counters, almost angrily, with, "Who said so?" Finally, in this scene, Hansberry makes an emphatic statement about integration. Walter again has the chance to talk Ruth out of having an abortion, but he says nothing. This scene is often the most misinterpreted of all the scenes in the play. In Timbuktu, men and boys (only) studied at its great university, utilizing to great advantage its many active libraries and books on history, medicine, astronomy, and poetry. Members will be prompted to log in or create an account to redeem their group membership. pots. The scene opens a few weeks later, on a Friday night; packing crates fill the Younger apartment in preparation for the move. may appear on any quiz! Use up and down arrows to review and enter to select. 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. Purchasing Thirty pieces and a not a coin less!: of Georges obsessions seem similarhaving achieved wealth, he sees it as justifying his own sense of superiority. betterment of "people of color." W. E. Definitions and examples of 136 literary terms and devices. (including. Because this art received such worldwide attention, few wanted to believe that such magnificent artwork had been created by the Africans.