For Walter, the fulfillment of Mamas dream for a house spells the death of his own dream for owning a liquor store. Removing #book# The radical nature of the Youngers desire to participate in the American dream does bring along some hardship. Also, Ruth reveals her lack of knowledge about things African as she questions Beneatha about the Nigerian outfit and dance. Refine any search. (one code per order). Read Walters important speech to Travis. Known mainly for his founding of Tuskegee Institute, Washington believed that blacks should be educated only by trade schools. Beneatha and George come in from their date and after a brief disagreement, George leaves, puzzled. Hansberry makes it clear here that George and Beneatha are not compatible. Complete your free account to access notes and highlights. This desire to join white culture, referred to as assimilationism, was a contentious issue for the Black community in the 1950s and 1960s. To this day, the name Shaka Zulu garners high praise in military circles and commands great respect. It is then that we realize that Walter has reached a "point of no return." Thanks for creating a SparkNotes account! In Walters eyes, the new house symbolizes the continued deferment of his dream. 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. British housewife in rural England is 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 business transaction thats going to change our lives. Historical Context - information about the period, the place, and the events that. 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. A Raisin in the Sun Study Guide Literary Elements: Be ready to identify examples that fit with the following terms. Your group members can use the joining link below to redeem their group membership. Mama and Ruth offer her food and drink, and she gladly accepts. 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. 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. winking for . With this money, Mama says, Walter should becomeand should act like he has becomethe head of the family. 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. Answers: 1. Submitted By. Madame Butterfly: Beneatha is dressed in Zip. In Beneatha and Georges conversation, Hansberry reveals two sets of values regarding education. Would not have made it through AP Literature without the printable PDFs. The Youngers are a family of dreamers who strongly desire upward mobility and improved life circumstances. Teach your students to analyze literature like LitCharts does. A Raisin In The Sun Allusion Analysis 652 Words | 3 Pages. 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. Youve successfully purchased a group discount. Beneatha goes to change for the theater, and Walter talks to George about business plans. Mama takes a stance against Mrs. Johnsons defeatist brand of assimilation, standing up for her children and their dreams for a better future. As was evident during her conversation with Mrs. Johnson, Mama realizes that her denial of Walters dream has only added to the many limitations that already curb Walters opportunities for advancement. in Puccini's Italian opera By entering your email address you agree to receive emails from SparkNotes and verify that you are over the age of 13. They all become worried when they hear that the house is in Clybourne Park, an entirely white neighborhood. Find related themes, quotes, symbols, characters, and more. She dances around the apartment, claiming to be performing a tribal dance while shouting "OCOMOGOSIAY" and singing. Recommends a raisin in the sun for its lighthearted view of a very serious situation. Mrs. Johnsonthe Youngers neighborvisits. 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. Beneatha intellectualizes everything, is clearly independent, does not defer to men, and argues whatever points of chauvinism she finds in her conversation with men. TO CANCEL YOUR SUBSCRIPTION AND AVOID BEING CHARGED, YOU MUST CANCEL BEFORE THE END OF THE FREE TRIAL PERIOD. Members will be prompted to log in or create an account to redeem their group membership. When Ruth says that Beneatha is fresh Perhaps, because of such abuses by its kings, Mali, once one of the world's great trading nations, was eventually conquered by the neighboring kingdom of Songhai (Songhay). He thinks, void in our lives, and we attempt to fill it. 20% One way for them to escape this entrapment, though, seems to be through a reliance on each other. 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." missionary work A summary of Act II, Scene ii in Lorraine Hansberry's A Raisin in the Sun. You'll be billed after your free trial ends. 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. Ruthrejoices, but Walter feels betrayed, his dream swept under the table. After the fall of the Songhai Empire, the days of the great black kingdoms of West Africa were over. touched by World War II. 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." period and they also help to develop characterization, conflict, and theme. Struggling with distance learning? Last updated by Aslan on 9/14/2014 2:32 PM How to Read Literature Like a Professor Summarize Foster's argument in this chapter. Words 412. Are you sure you want to remove #bookConfirmation# Beneatha believes that society must be changed through self-knowledge and, thus, through consciousness and celebration of ones heritage. Creating notes and highlights requires a free LitCharts account. nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, U. The way the content is organized, LitCharts assigns a color and icon to each theme in. Benin was the art produced in Africa The fulfillment of Ruths hope for an escape from the familys cramped living situation gives her the opportunity to imagine a happy future for her unborn child. essay see discussions, stats, and author profiles for this publication at: have dream discrimination in lorraine raisin in the sun She values her mothers support, especially as it bears on her identity and self-worth as a woman. 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. Get Annual Plans at a discount when you buy 2 or more! Since the audience for this plays initial run was mostly white, such a threat to white dominance was extremely revolutionary. . In this scene, another character is introduced, a neighbor, Mrs. Johnson. They ground the work in a specific time In 1889, Sahaba Mariem rose to power in Ethiopia, ascended the throne, and changed his name to Menelik II, signifying blood ties to Menelik, Makeda's son. George wants to kiss Beneatha, but she does not want to kiss. He says that he feels depressed, despondent, and useless as the man of the family. 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. Teachers and parents! Act II Scene 1, Mrs. Johnson (Mrs. Wilhelmina Othella Johnson). Instead, she wants to engage George in a conversation about the plight of Black Americans. The foreshadowing in A Raisin in the Sun functions to develop an atmosphere of uncertainty regarding the fate of the Younger family. especially in the South, directed against LitCharts Teacher Editions. 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. The "American Dream" that she describes and the one that currently exists are vastly different. Walter seems to care more for Traviss education than for Beneathas, partly because Travis is his child and partly because Beneatha is a woman. You'll be able to access your notes and highlights, make requests, and get updates on new titles. Steel streetcar, Act 2, Scene 1 After the death of her husband, Mama Younger receives a $10,000 life insurance. It's also worth noting that he dreams of sending his son to college, though he mocks Beneatha's ambitions to get an education. You'll also get updates on new titles we publish and the ability to save highlights and notes. Previous George, in contrast, from his self-pride in his own familys success, sees a focus on African heritage as being juvenile. 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. Complete your free account to access notes and highlights. Allusions, serve several purposes in a work of literature. Period 5 1844 - 1877 Amsco Note Taking Guide (Ch. I guess I better be going . may appear on any quiz! Mrs. Johnson contrasts Beneathas self-satisfaction with Walters disappointment with his work as a chauffeur, which she conversely tries to defend as an honorable profession. His self-hatred manifests itself in his contemptuous attitude toward other blacks, especially toward less wealthy and less educated blacks like Walter. groups. The free trial period is the first 7 days of your subscription. Walter wants to own his own business. Cross), The Methodology of the Social Sciences (Max Weber), Principles of Environmental Science (William P. Cunningham; Mary Ann Cunningham), Psychology (David G. Myers; C. Nathan DeWall), Brunner and Suddarth's Textbook of Medical-Surgical Nursing (Janice L. Hinkle; Kerry H. Cheever), Give Me Liberty! 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. Colonialism (British and French) 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. 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. 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. What do Biblical allusions do for a piece of literature? This shows that her desire to get an abortion was entirely the product of the family's poverty, not a personal choice. [Y]our daddys gonna make a . You can view our. Sometimes it can end up there. ", Previous Mama's Plant. Mama says this to Travis as she tells him about the house that she is planning to buy. Walters excitement builds as he describes his dream of their future house and cars, as well as Traviss potential college education. 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. Walter has lost all hope and motivation, completely abandoning his duties as a husband and father. Mama tries to convince Walter to accept her dream and to recognize its value, but he cannot. Menelik II is also responsible for relocating the capital at Addis Ababa and for modernizing the operation of government. bookmarked pages associated with this title. Subscribe now. Le petit Prince Chapitre 7 et 8 questions and answers, TeacherS Guide and Answer KEY for WheelockS Latin, I. $18.74/subscription + tax, Save 25% Only white families populated suburban television programs and magazine advertisements. Members will be prompted to log in or create an account to redeem their group membership. 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. What similarities and differences do you find? Read an essay on the concepts of the Old Negro and the New Negro.. Teach your students to analyze literature like LitCharts does. Presently BENEATHA'S bedroom door opens and RUTH'S mouth falls and she puts down the iron in fascination. Still others insisted that these works, found in Africa, had been the products of the European Renaissance. Why should you consider care needs be fore buying a garment? Teachers and parents! Dont have an account? verse. 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. 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. Save over 50% with a SparkNotes PLUS Annual Plan! pots. Struggling with distance learning? First, the phrase "30 pieces and not . on 50-99 accounts. Alludes to Greek mythology when Prometheus took fire from the gods and shared it with people. Mama feels guilty for his unhappiness and tells him that she has never done anything to hurt her children. 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. Asked by Aziz A. But when the British stormed the city, they were so impressed by the Benin bronzes that they took them back with them, giving the British Museum an incomparable collection of rare treasures of African art. SparkNotes PLUS Allusions/Essential Terms in A Raisin in the Sun. 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. 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. 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. Act I Scene 2, Next some pretentiousness to press the point Students also viewed Symbolism in The Namesake My Sister's Keeper Book Project 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. Allusions PDFs of modern translations of every Shakespeare play and poem. 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. 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. Menelik II initiated the modern age of Ethiopian development by defeating the Italians, who were trying to establish a protectorate over Ethiopia. Contact us His silence also indicates that he leaves the burden of this monumental decision on his wifes shoulders. Purchasing Mama comes home and announces that she has put a down payment on a house with some of the insurance money. This scene is often the most misinterpreted of all the scenes in the play. Read more about why Mama buys a house in an all-white neighborhood. George is pedantic an academic show-off constantly making literary allusions even when he knows that this information is lost upon his audience. An opportunity for the family to escape the poverty comes when the family receive an 10,000 insurance check. Discount, Discount Code Black writers tend to side with W. E. B. Period 4 1800 - 1848 Amsco Note Taking Guide (Ch. Ruth cannot contain her happiness at the thought of their finally being able to move out of the overcrowded apartment. Complete your free account to request a guide. You can view our. A frustrated and angered Mama retaliates by calling him a fool. Mrs. Johnson leaves the apartment. On a Friday night a few weeks later, Beneatha and George return from a date. She gives him the remaining $6,500 of the insurance money, telling him to deposit $3,000 for Beneathas education and to keep the last $3,500. While Walter dreams of providing for his family, his dreams nonetheless revolve around markers of material wealth, such as cars and homes. The free trial period is the first 7 days of your subscription. 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. She is generally insensitive and unable to speak in a civil manner. Booker T. Washington: An 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. George is trying to persuade Beneatha to abandon her feminist principles when he utters this philosophical truth, but throughout the play, Hansherry shows that many of the characters in Raisin do indeed lead lives of quiet desperation: Mama, although outwardly strong, is consumed with anxiety over the various, disparate directions her children are going; Walter Lee is clearly a desperate man, trying to secure a dream that eludes him; Ruth is pregnant but afraid to have this child (one more mouth to feed), especially since it will be born into a marital relationship that is deteriorating from within; Beneatha is desperately seeking her own identity while simultaneously attempting to escape the stereotypical barriers of her class and gender; and last, even Karl Lindner is a desperate man, rationalizing his rigid beliefs in a rapidly changing world. And when Mrs. Johnson goes on to say that Washington "was one of our great men," Mama counters, almost angrily, with, "Who said so?" allusions in order to supply the reader with historical background. | (including. Use up and down arrows to review and enter to select. African-American educator of the late To say that A Raisin in the Sun has a lot of allusions is an understatement. All of this confusion was due to the widespread ignorance of Africa, its traditions, its people and their capabilities, and the great lost civilizations. Tarzan 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. Dont have an account? Attesting to Hansberry's preoccupation with the demise of such great African civilizations and her deep regret that there was a universal lack of knowledge of these ancient black kingdoms are her constant references to Africa in Raisin. Mrs. Miniver by Jan Struther, the film She means that black people have to face discrimination everywhere, even in their own community. You may cancel your subscription on your Subscription and Billing page or contact Customer Support at custserv@bn.com. Please wait while we process your payment. Contained in an early sixties song, subtitled "The Lion Sleeps Tonight," the word was made popular by Pete Seeger and the Weavers. You'll be able to access your notes and highlights, make requests, and get updates on new titles. Colonel McCormick: owner and publisher Part of her dream is the simple desire for consumer goods. LitCharts Teacher Editions. As Mama tells Ruth, Big Walter finally worked hisself to Did you know you can highlight text to take a note? Ruth finds Beneathas pageantry silly and questions her about it. An example of situational irony in A Raisin in the Sun comes when the Youngers receive a visit from Mr. Lindner, chairman of the welcoming committee from the neighborhood to . Assimilationism Finally, in this scene, Hansberry makes an emphatic statement about integration. Detailed quotes explanations with page numbers for every important quote on the site. pedantic response, a phrase from the He talks to Travis about his plans, saying that he is going to make a transaction that will make them rich. The original text plus a side-by-side modern translation of. two husbands and finally is matched in BENEATHA (Emerging grandly from the doorway so that George is pedantic, showing off his knowledge, when he says to Walter (after he is safely half-out the door), "Good night, Prometheus.". 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. 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.". Continue to start your free trial. Why does Lindner try to convince the Younger family not to move? Ethiopia References to Ethiopia can be found in the Bible and in the writings of Herodotus and Homer. Mama is not moving to Clybourne Park because she wants to integrate a neighborhood; instead, she simply wants the best deal for her money. 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. Prometheus' suffering lasted for thousands of years until Hercules killed the eagle and freed Prometheus. for a group? A Raisin in the Sun. a descendant of Chaka Chaka, also known as Shaka, or Shaka Zulu, was an early nineteenth century African warrior-king who implemented warfare techniques and weaponry which have been studied and adopted by military leaders and personnel worldwide ever since Shaka's time. $18.74/subscription + tax, Save 25% How does Walter lose the insurance money? This character, however, was cut from the original stage production in order to reduce production costs. Blacks began to "choose sides," debating constantly over who was right, and over which philosophy was actually in the best interest of black people. By signing up you agree to our terms and privacy policy. Mama takes immense pride in the realization of her and Big Walters deferred dream. A Raisin in the Sun: Act 2 What would you do if you suddenly came into more money than you ever thought possible? 41 Comments Please sign inor registerto post comments. Summary and Analysis Beneatha uses George's weak attempts to change her personality as the excuse that she needs to end their relationship. 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." Chaka: he became chief of the Zulu clan Traditionally, "crackers" refers to bigoted whites, especially those living in Georgia; here, Ruth is using the term to derogatorily refer to all white racists. Monsieur le petit bourgeois noir However, Walter cannot find hope in the promise of a new home, seeing only the death of his own dream. Washington felt that having a trade was more logical for black people than painting or poetry. 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. Walter suddenly becomes more confident and energized. Detailed explanations, analysis, and citation info for every important quote on LitCharts. Ruth is elated to hear this news because she too dreams of moving out of their current apartment and into a more respectable home. the back of his hand, and straddling a chair back-. Opines that home alone ii and rapid fire were my only qualms about the play. Act 2, Scene 3 It means that the white people in Chicago are being violent towards African Americans. How does Walter lose the insurance money? 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." . on 2-49 accounts, Save 30% Mrs. Johnson - historical Detailed quotes explanations with page numbers for every important quote on the site. of the Chicago Tribune newspaper; 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. Why does Mama buy a house in an all-white neighborhood? 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. 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. 7), F. Period 4 1800 - 1848 Amsco Note Taking Guide (Ch. PDF downloads of all 1699 LitCharts literature guides, and of every new one we publish. Her dream is a perfect example of the quintessential American dream. Bantu is the largest language family and Swahili (which consists of Bantu and Arabic) is the most widely spoken. About Press Copyright Contact us Creators Advertise Developers Terms Privacy Policy & Safety How YouTube works Test new features NFL Sunday Ticket Press Copyright . After Joseph Asagai refers to Beneathas Caucasian-style straightened hair as mutilated, Beneatha reevaluates the significance of her PDFs of modern translations of every Shakespeare play and poem. 84 A RAISIN IN THE SUN. By entering your email address you agree to receive emails from SparkNotes and verify that you are over the age of 13. In this play, the educated and wealthy George Murchison represents the black person whose own self-hatred manifests itself as contempt for other blacks. The possibility of achieving his dream reinvigorates Walter and permits him to regain his identity as a worthy husband and father. Youve successfully purchased a group discount. she is being overdramatic Complete your free account to request a guide. Instant PDF downloads. Refine any search. Motivate students to complete assigned readings with A Raisin in the Sun quizzes. Georges obsessions seem similarhaving achieved wealth, he sees it as justifying his own sense of superiority. They're like having in-class notes for every discussion!, This is absolutely THE best teacher resource I have ever purchased. 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. Get Annual Plans at a discount when you buy 2 or more! -Graham S. At this point, Mrs. Johnson has clearly overstayed her welcome and appears to derive pleasure from filling the Younger household with fear. George and Beneatha situate themselves on opposing sides of the argument surrounding African-American assimilation. Kenyatta: Jomo Kenyatta, a Kenyan 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. Asagai says he wants to sweep the maiden (Beneatha) back across the middle passage. 8), B. Alludes to Greek mythology when Prometheus took fire from the gods and shared it with people. Washington's long-time opponent, W. E. B. Last updated by Aslan on 9/14/2014 2:37 PM . 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.