Allusions create emphasis in the play, this allows the reader to understand and appreciate the text. can't say her opinion, then she's nothing. Detailed quotes explanations with page numbers for every important quote on the site. Mama and Ruth offer her food and drink, and she gladly accepts. . Read an essay on the concepts of the Old Negro and the New Negro.. 7), F. Period 4 1800 - 1848 Amsco Note Taking Guide (Ch. 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 goes quickly to his bedroom, and Mama remains sitting and worrying. They ground the work in a specific time. Want 100 or more? 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. 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. 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! Answers: 1. Continue to start your free trial. Walters view of education seems to fall somewhere between Beneathas and Georges views. A summary of Act II, Scene ii in Lorraine Hansberry's A Raisin in the Sun. Creating notes and highlights requires a free LitCharts account. PDF downloads of all 1699 LitCharts literature guides, and of every new one we publish. However, after the death of Askia, the Songhai Empire weakened and was finally conquered by neighboring enemies. 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. He talks to Travis about his plans, saying that he is going to make a transaction that will make them rich. and any corresponding bookmarks? March 3, 2023, SNPLUSROCKS20 bookmarked pages associated with this title. Walter wants to own his own business. Part of her dream is the simple desire for consumer goods. Nonetheless, her mistakenly oriental fan signifies that Beneatha still lacks a fully developed sense or understanding of true African identity. The foreshadowing in A Raisin in the Sun functions to develop an atmosphere of uncertainty regarding the fate of the Younger family. A Raisin In The Sun Allusion Analysis 652 Words | 3 Pages. By signing up you agree to our terms and privacy policy. pots. 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. Booker T. Washington: An . In his "Atlanta speech," Booker T. Washington urged blacks to cultivate friendly relations with white men. 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. While reading A Raisin In The Sun, various allusions appear throughout the play. Walter seems to care more for Traviss education than for Beneathas, partly because Travis is his child and partly because Beneatha is a woman. sharecroppers, Copyright 2023 StudeerSnel B.V., Keizersgracht 424, 1016 GC Amsterdam, KVK: 56829787, BTW: NL852321363B01, has a lot of allusions is an understatement. The difference in their views about education displays a deeper divergence between the two, one of idealism versus pragmatism. His self-hatred manifests itself in his contemptuous attitude toward other blacks, especially toward less wealthy and less educated blacks like Walter. For much of its history, Ethiopia was known as Abyssinia. 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. | Words 412. 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. He says that he feels depressed, despondent, and useless as the man of the family. After Joseph Asagai refers to Beneathas Caucasian-style straightened hair as mutilated, Beneatha reevaluates the significance of her and currently active across the U., Read Walters important speech to Travis. on 2-49 accounts, Save 30% Yet, often, circumstances are so difficult for them that they cannot even do that. He is overwhelmed and his sudden exuberance over this financial windfall leads him to share some of his many fantasies with Travis. While Walter dreams of providing for his family, his dreams nonetheless revolve around markers of material wealth, such as cars and homes. 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.". Beneatha uses George's weak attempts to change her personality as the excuse that she needs to end their relationship. Removing #book# Previous 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. Ace your assignments with our guide to A Raisin in the Sun! Act II Scene 2, Mrs. Johnson (Mrs. Wilhelmina Othella Johnson). old man is all right, man. 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. Means that you should forgive and forget about it when someone disappoints you. 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.". -Graham S. At this point, Mrs. Johnson has clearly overstayed her welcome and appears to derive pleasure from filling the Younger household with fear. Opines that home alone ii and rapid fire were my only qualms about the play. Ruthrejoices, but Walter feels betrayed, his dream swept under the table. Teachers and parents! Walters unspoken approval of Ruths decision shows that he still fails to meet Mamas expectations for a man. She also prides herself on the fact that the family will own its home, however humble it may be. Queen Makeda was known by many names: "Bilquis" to the ancient Moslems, "Black Minerva" and "Ethiopian Diana" to the Greeks, "Queen of Sheba" to King Solomon, and to her own people, she was "Makeda, the beautiful." . knowledge of the Bible by quoting a 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. 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. Mrs. Johnson's intent is clearly to belittle the importance of the Youngers' getting away from the horrid conditions of their cramped apartment. 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." Your group members can use the joining link below to redeem their group membership. SparkNotes Plus subscription is $4.99/month or $24.99/year as selected above. She has the radio going. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. Her pregnancy is no longer a burden, but instead signifies hope and expectation. Mama's unending devotion to her small houseplant signifies her read analysis of Mama's Plant. Morgan Park: Betrayals of A Raisin in the Sun One simple act of betrayal can break bonds between two people once one dishonors the other. 2023 Course Hero, Inc. All rights reserved. Teach your students to analyze literature like LitCharts does. | (Tapping his head and half. domination of a white man without The Youngers apartment is full of moving boxes. washbowl or the contents of chamber She compares, for example, the overt racism of the south at that time with the covert racism found in the north. Act 1, Scene 2 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. The Youngers are a family of dreamers who strongly desire upward mobility and improved life circumstances. According to Beneatha, George denies his heritage and thus sacrifices his pride. Mr. Linder is "quiet-looking". This phrase also refers to the Lion of Judah. Her dream is a perfect example of the quintessential American dream. Teachers and parents! Mrs. Miniver: Inspired by the 1940 novel Act II, Scene 2: Questions and Answers . Monsieur le petit bourgeois noir Uncle Tom: reference to Harriet Beecher LitCharts Teacher Editions. Ku Klux Klan: a secret hate group and then adds that Beneatha is as "fresh Their entrapment in the ghetto, in their jobs, and in their apartment results in the desire to leave physically, to escape mentally through alcohol, and to lash out at those involved in the entrapment. 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. 14), A. It is then that we realize that Walter has reached a "point of no return." In a change from her earlier stance, Mama rejects Mrs. Johnson argument, acknowledging the emasculating aspect of her sons work. During the following decades, Haile Selassie became a symbol of leadership to other African nations that eventually would demand their independence. from your Reading List will also remove any Even though Walter knows little about Africa, he immediately falls into step with the ritualistic dance and chants as though a psychic memory serves him. Continue to start your free trial. 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. Madame Butterfly: Beneatha is dressed in some pretentiousness to press the point However, Walter cannot find hope in the promise of a new home, seeing only the death of his own dream. sophisticated girl. Mama comes in as Beneatha kicks him out. A Raisin in the Sun. Removing #book# 20% Using garment catalogs, compare sizing charts. Definitions and examples of 136 literary terms and devices. 1. Scarlett is a shrewd, Contact us Mrs. Johnson says white folks in Chicago are acting like the ones in Mississippi. 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. especially in the South, directed against queen of the Nile intellectual point of view but that she does, lead lives of quiet desperation." Menelik II initiated the modern age of Ethiopian development by defeating the Italians, who were trying to establish a protectorate over Ethiopia. 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. . A Raisin in the Sun Study Guide Literary Elements: Be ready to identify examples that fit with the following terms. never been 'fraid of no crackers After Mama has announced her plans to buy a house in an all-white neighborhood, Ruth at first expresses fear. You can view our. Benin's theocracy dictated the production of art for religious purposes. Walter explains that he has been wandering all day (often way into the country) and drinking all night (at a bar with a jazz duo that he loves). threw a revolt against the oppressive George Murchison arrives to pick up Beneatha. fight prejudice, lynching, and Jim Crow Members will be prompted to log in or create an account to redeem their group membership. Mama takes immense pride in the realization of her and Big Walters deferred dream. The Man / Capn Boss / Mistuh Charley 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. Bantu The Bantu language is the tongue common to the peoples of Africa who live below the equator. Meanwhile, Ruth falls in the middle of this debate, possessing neither Georges social standing nor Beneathas fierce dedication to a largely foreign cultural identity. PDFs of modern translations of every Shakespeare play and poem. . If the salt loses it's savor wards to talk to the other man) Shrewd move. an African costume; in the stage 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. Kenyatta: Jomo Kenyatta, a Kenyan Ruth "affects" or "puts on" a tea party voice, purposely sounding pretentious . missionary work . Beneatha intellectualizes everything, is clearly independent, does not defer to men, and argues whatever points of chauvinism she finds in her conversation with men. Known mainly for his founding of Tuskegee Institute, Washington believed that blacks should be educated only by trade schools. Allusions/Essential Terms in A Raisin in the Sun. This scene is often the most misinterpreted of all the scenes in the play. groups. 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 Share your findings with the class. How does Walter plan to use the insurance money? They do begin to make up, though, by acknowledging that a great distance has grown between them. These allusions reference the outside world, but also give emphasis on the importance of the piece of the text references. 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. Mama tells Walter that the house will be a new beginning, a unifying force that can repair the familys bonds. But Mama explains that a comparable house in a black neighborhood would cost twice as much. Definitions and examples of 136 literary terms and devices. 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. 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. Students also viewed Symbolism in The Namesake My Sister's Keeper Book Project Now, rather than insisting that she can't understand her children, Mama is trying to support them. First, the phrase "30 pieces and not . Beneathas two suitors embody this dichotomy between the conflicting identities available to Black people: the identity that seeks assimilation and the identity that rejects assimilation. Walter is no longer with Beneatha. $18.74/subscription + tax, Save 25% In 1959, anyone, most especially a black person, who could afford to purchase a hotel especially a hotel on such expensive property would have been very wealthy. Yoruba Describe Walter's change in attitude toward Beneatha. Your. Therefore, Hansberry performs a radical act in claiming the general American dream for Black Americans. Extremely hard working, he attended school at night. George calls Walter Lee "Prometheus" in order to subtly insult Walter, but mainly to point out Walter's lack of learning. can't say her opinion, then she's nothing. 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. 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. On a Friday night a few weeks later, Beneatha and George return from a date. Walter again has the chance to talk Ruth out of having an abortion, but he says nothing. serve several purposes in a work of literature. Mama tries to convince Walter to accept her dream and to recognize its value, but he cannot.