allusions in a raisin in the sun act 2

George uses his social standing to elevate himself above what he sees as the stigma of his racial identity (and acts like a stuck-up jerk in doing so). 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. Mrs. Johnson views the Youngers pride as a negative quality, one that mistakenly allows them to see themselves as exceptional. The possibility of achieving his dream reinvigorates Walter and permits him to regain his identity as a worthy husband and father. Describe germanic social customs regarding the family. $24.99 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. . Central Idea Essay: Why Does Mama Want to Own Property? 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. 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. Therefore, Hansberry performs a radical act in claiming the general American dream for Black Americans. But for Mama the money created a possibility for Traviswho, as is implied here, in the neighborhood where they now live is getting into trouble, getting punished, and suddenly she can give him a different possibility. Mrs. Johnson says white folks in Chicago are acting like the ones in Mississippi. Menelik II is also responsible for relocating the capital at Addis Ababa and for modernizing the operation of government. Detailed quotes explanations with page numbers for every important quote on the site. Because of what was defined as "self hatred" by psychologists who studied the phenomenon, oftentimes a group that believes itself to be oppressed will mimic the life-style and, sometimes, even mimic the appearance of the "dominant group." Ruth is apprehensive, almost frightened, when she hears that the new house is located in the all-white neighborhood of Clybourne Park. Beneatha goes to change for the theater, and Walter talks to George about business plans. 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.". 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. Uncharacteristically, Walter embraces his African heritage, but only in a fleeting moment of fantasy. . She compares, for example, the overt racism of the south at that time with the covert racism found in the north. Walters boss calls, telling Ruth that Walter has not been to work in three days. SparkNotes Plus subscription is $4.99/month or $24.99/year as selected above. This desire to join white culture, referred to as assimilationism, was a contentious issue for the Black community in the 1950s and 1960s. Mrs. Johnson's intent is clearly to belittle the importance of the Youngers' getting away from the horrid conditions of their cramped apartment. Beneatha uses the quote with This means that African Americans are ignorant about Africa. 41 Comments Please sign inor registerto post comments. Share your findings with the class. for a group? Get Annual Plans at a discount when you buy 2 or more! They continue to fight, as they put their own concerns before each others and before their marriage. intellectual point of view but that she does to Walter Lee. (including. 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." 13), N. Period 4 1800 - 1848 Amsco Note Taking Guide (Ch. Thirty pieces and a not a coin less!: of 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. She believes, as did many in the postWorld War II consumer culture, that, to some degree at least, ownership can provide happiness. The act addresses themes of race, assimilation, dreams, gender, and money from the vantage points of the Youngers, an African American. Mama recognizes the racial prejudice that limits her sons job opportunities. Teach your students to analyze literature like LitCharts does. Did you know you can highlight text to take a note? The lion is waking This phrase refers to all of the African countries that were beginning to demand their independence of colonial rule. Clearly, Hansherry uses her own family's livelihood as being the livelihood of the rich black family in Raisin. Caucasus, where his liver was torn out every day by an eagle but grew back each night. Your group members can use the joining link below to redeem their group membership. Prometheus, the god who was punished for having brought fire to mortals, was chained to Mt. Members will be prompted to log in or create an account to redeem their group membership. Additionally, Beneatha celebrates her African heritage at the expense of her African-American identity, dismissing the good loud bluesan musical style that emerged from the African-American experienceas whitewashed assimilationist junk.. silver was the standard price of a slave The free trial period is the first 7 days of your subscription. 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. The rulers of Mali established the Muslim religion that had come out of Arabia and was sweeping throughout Africa. 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. Act 1, Scene 2 Madame Butterfly: Beneatha is dressed in Only white families populated suburban television programs and magazine advertisements. Summary and Analysis Meanwhile, Ruth falls in the middle of this debate, possessing neither Georges social standing nor Beneathas fierce dedication to a largely foreign cultural identity. A RAISIN IN THE SUN By: Lorraine Hansberry ACT II SCENE ONE Time: Later the same day. Teach your students to analyze literature like LitCharts does. George proves to be as pedantic as Beneatha, peppering his arguments with literary allusions and oftentimes esoteric references for example, calling Walter "Prometheus." Ruth cannot contain her happiness at the thought of their finally being able to move out of the overcrowded apartment. 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). wits by a third, Rhett Butler. Opines that a raisin in the sun is an excellent play. Murchison, on the other hand, knows nothing of his African past, despises the little he knows of his heritage, and, therefore, hates himself. 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. 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. It is then that we realize that Walter has reached a "point of no return." To say that A Raisin in the Sun has a lot of allusions is an understatement. SparkNotes Plus subscription is $4.99/month or $24.99/year as selected above. I guess I better be going . (One of Washington's first staff appointments was Dr. George Washington Carver, whose brilliance in the field of agriculture is not as well documented as his "peanut" discoveries.) Hansberry wrote her story in 1959. void in our lives, and we attempt to fill it washbowl or the contents of chamber They are fair game and 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. When Beneatha reenters, dressed for her date with George, she is wearing a natural hairstyle. and any corresponding bookmarks? Mama's unending devotion to her small houseplant signifies her read analysis of Mama's Plant. Teach your students to analyze literature like LitCharts does. Beneatha intellectualizes everything, is clearly independent, does not defer to men, and argues whatever points of chauvinism she finds in her conversation with men. Mama returns unexpectedly and announces to Travis especially and also to Walter and Ruth that she has put a hefty down payment on a house in an all-white neighborhood. Read more about Beneathas hair as a symbol. Using their new weapons to fight their rulers, they eventually created their own kingdoms in the coastal forests of West Africa, the most powerful of which was that of Benin (present-day Nigeria). Georges cynical response about the purpose of schooling, that it's really just a game to get the piece of paper that helps you go out in the world and make moneyruns counter to Beneathas idealistic belief in the transformative power of education. Complete your free account to request a guide. Did you know you can highlight text to take a note? Benin was the art produced in Africa Why do the Youngers decide to go through with the move? In Walters eyes, the new house symbolizes the continued deferment of his dream. By entering your email address you agree to receive emails from SparkNotes and verify that you are over the age of 13. He goes quickly to his bedroom, and Mama remains sitting and worrying. The difference in their views about education displays a deeper divergence between the two, one of idealism versus pragmatism. 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. Mama comes home and announces that she has put a down payment on a house with some of the insurance money. Your. For Walter, the fulfillment of Mamas dream for a house spells the death of his own dream for owning a liquor store. as salt" Beneatha counters with a Walters communion with his African identity centers on regaining the lost status and majesty of African leaders, which was stolen from many African-Americans through the transatlantic slave trade. Complete your free account to access notes and highlights. Beneatha and George come in from their date and after a brief disagreement, George leaves, puzzled. 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. 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. ", Previous fight prejudice, lynching, and Jim Crow He felt that they should develop manual skills and improve their craft at the building trades and that blacks should become experts in farming. He says that he feels depressed, despondent, and useless as the man of the family. This alludes to Napoleon Bonaparte, the French emperor who tried to take over Europe. Describe Walter's change in attitude toward Beneatha.