Ruth and Mama? Later, Beneatha will put these robes on and become a "Nigerian Princess," symbolizing her acceptance of her heritage. -Mama likes her plant so much because it makes their tiny apartment homier. Objects placed on top of the bureau often landed behind it, which, because of its size and weight, was often a difficult piece of furniture to move. He is described as silent and sullen. He walks slowly across the room to his bedroom, and before turning around speaks measuredly to Mama. What does the allusion "this here can is empty as Jacob's kettle" mean? In this movement, Black Americans embraced their racial history, stopping their attempts to assimilate, even in physical appearance. on 50-99 accounts. creating and saving your own notes as you read. Compare and contrast Joseph Asagai with George Murchison in A Raisin in the Sun. Why does Lindner try to convince the Younger family not to move? The insurance check is all Walter needs to pursue the venture. -Now that it is finally here they do not know what to do with it. When she gets her hair cut, she also cuts herself loose from her former assimilationist ideas, and begins to accept her African heritage. -George doesn't care. -Because in his mind, he thought he was going to get that money to invest in one of his many dumb ideas. A2S1 What does George mean when he calls Walter "Prometheus"? It is infested with cockroaches and there is not enough room for them all. As the two talk about their entrapping situation, Ruths reply of [e]at your eggs answers every statement that Walter offers, reflecting the stereotypical perception that Black peoplehave an inability to overcome problems. There is an issue that needs to be discussedRuth's pregnancybut Walter does not know that there is an issue. Though Walter and Ruth harbor materialistic dreams, they desire wealth not solely for self-serving purposes but rather as a means to provide for their family and escape the South Side ghetto in which they live. $18.74/subscription + tax, Save 25% -Walter's jealous of the way he grew up A1S1 What is your impression of Ruth? Purchasing Subscribe now. Hansberry uses these two men to show the issues with which Beneatha is struggling. In Mamas mind, dignity and freedom are virtues far more precious than material wealth. How does Walter react to that idea? Do you think she is being fair? How is Mama's reaction to the gift different from the way the others react? -Business partner with Walter and Willy Walters statements show how racial discrimination regarding job opportunities curbed many African Americans dreams for social advancement, and locked them into the role, essentially, of servants. Both interpretations seem valid. What is Mama suggesting when she says to Beneatha: "I guess I see why we done commence to get so interested in Africa 'round here"? Central Idea Essay: Why Does Mama Want to Own Property? Latest answer posted June 28, 2020 at 11:07:39 AM. A2S3 Who is Bobo? Walter and Ruth continue to argue about their unhappy lives, a dialogue that Ruth cuts short by telling her husband, Eat your eggs, they gonna be cold.. She is experiencing a spiritual longing. Youve successfully purchased a group discount. You'll also receive an email with the link. Thanks for creating a SparkNotes account! Ruth and Walter? What does the interaction show you about each of them? Some of the vocabulary words have related meanings. Ruth bears the responsibility not only for literally carrying the child, but also for shouldering a significant part of the accompanying financial burden. Varios estudiantes van a ir a esquiar este fin de semana. Do you believe it was the right decision? -She will most likely take his offer because she's not happy with where e life is now and this would be a good change. -She doesn't believe in God -Bennie is going on about she doesn't believe in God. She and Mama discuss Beneathas worries about her familys ignorance about Africa and African people. Read more about why Mama wants to own property. If you don't see it, please check your spam folder. Want 100 or more? Hansberry may have selected the name Beneatha to represent the oppression of African-American women, drawing on the word 'beneath.' With or without the arrival of the insurance check, Walter would still long for independence and a sense of self worth. Although Asagai is not offensively sexist, perhaps due to his Western education and worldly sophistication, still his views are traditionally African, circa 1959, and, therefore, somewhat chauvinistic. Teach your students to analyze literature like LitCharts does. How does Walter lose the insurance money? The fact that she later gets her hair cut shows that she recognizes that she had indeed been conforming to the ideas around her. Mama and Beneatha are, of course, a generation apart, while Ruth occupies a place somewhere in the middle; Hansberry argues that Beneatha is the least traditional of the women because she is the youngest. Do you think the relationship can be saved? Thanks for creating a SparkNotes account! The Youngers do not mean to ignore Walter Lee and are not totally aware that they are doing so. -Happy but very worried Asagai is also more serious about their relationship than Beneatha is and appears not to fully understand or accept Beneatha's "liberated college woman's attitude." Putnam admits that she sent Ruth to Tituba. Their different reactions illustrate the different ways this news impacted their lives. The issue of the check serves only to exacerbate the conflicts that already exist. Mama enters and goes directly to a small plant that she keeps just outside the kitchen window. The fact that Ruth considers an abortion, an illegal practice at the time, shows the lengths to which she would go to protect her family from further financial strain. This is another point that reveals Beneatha's explosive and apparently selfish character. Beneatha makes the mistake of using the Lords name in vain in front of Mama, which sparks another conversation about the extent of Gods providence. Ruth's pregnancy would still add a burden to the family. (including. Why does Walter get so upset with Ruth and Mama? Meanwhile, Beneatha is spraying the apartment with insecticide in an attempt to rid it of cockroaches. Suddenly, there is a commotion in the street, and. He finds it hard to act as a man in the way his mother wants when she does not treat him as a man in the same way she treated his father. (one code per order). Unsure of her identity as a Black woman joining an overwhelmingly white world, Beneatha turns to Asagai to see if he can supply a lost part of her self. Walterreceives a phone call from his friend Willy Harris, who is coordinating the potential liquor store venture. A2S1 How does George's reaction to Beneatha's costume compare with Asagai's reaction to her hair? Mamas refusal to support Walters dream frustrates and emasculates him, eroding his sense of his worth in being what he feels he should be: a husband and father, a man, who can support his family. To Mama, that particular measure of equality is enough; to Walter, it is an outrage. WebRuth and Benetha appear to have the stereotypical sister rivalry. A2S3 How do you know that Ruth and Walter have been getting along better for the past day or two? Beneatha does not want to assimilate into, or become successful in, the dominant white culture of the 1950s. However, Walter is unable to rise to the challenge, dejected as he is by Mamas refusal to support his dreams. What does it reveal about each of the characters? Why does Beneatha want to become a doctor? Ruth gets up first and after some noticeable difficulty, rouses Travis and Walter as she makes breakfast. Mama comes into the room, and Beneatha introduces her to Asagai. Read more about the nuanced use of dialect by each character in A Raisin in the Sun. Walter's power struggles with Ruth and Mama would still simmer and Beneatha would still be willful and spoiled. 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. Teacher Editions with classroom activities for all 1725 titles we cover. -Because the $10,000 is finally arriving In A Raisin in the Sun, Mama says, "He finally come into his manhood today, didn't he? A1S1 Why do you think Mama likes the plant so much? Please wait while we process your payment. When he asks why his wife cannot wear pearls, he is asking why he has to resign himself to poverty, being ever grateful that he no longer has to ride at the back of a bus. Dijo que la historia (concluir) con la segunda parte de la pelcula. It was your money and you did what you wanted with it. Also, Mama is asking Walter to save his unborn child from a death inflicted by poverty, but Walters obsession with material wealth prevents him from taking such a stand because the baby will only make that poverty worse and make his dreams even less achievable. She knew there was no real room for another person in the apartment and that finances were The Youngers also seem to want to live this dream, though their struggle to attain any semblance of it is dramatically different from the struggle a similar suburban family might encounter, because the Youngers are not a stereotypical middle-class family. To those of Mama's generation, it should have been enough that Walter Lee's generation can ride at the front of a bus. Act I Scene 1, Next Members will be prompted to log in or create an account to redeem their group membership. Walter returns home and wants to talk about his liquor store plans. Although the Younger family seems alienated from white middle-class culture, they harbor the same materialistic dreams as the rest of American society. By entering your email address you agree to receive emails from SparkNotes and verify that you are over the age of 13. You may cancel your subscription on your Subscription and Billing page or contact Customer Support at [email protected]. This is a statement of the How is that money beginning to cause conflict within the family? You can view our. Teachers and parents! (one code per order). A3S1 What does Asagai propose that Beneatha do? Yet while she wants to break free of conforming to the white ideal, she still wants to acclimate herself to an educated American life. Would not have made it through AP Literature without the printable PDFs. Mira el retrato (portrait) del nio y lee el prrafo. Cite examples. The tantalizing arrival of the insurance check creates an expectant atmosphere. A2S3 Who is Mr. Lindner? A3S1 Why does Beneatha attack Asagai's dream about Africa? Asagai visits Beneatha, and they spend some time together by themselves. Usa tu imaginacin y expresa lo que ellos dijeron. Renews May 7, 2023 Free trial is available to new customers only. Ruth, the household manager, refuses to give her son the money; Walter, as a father trying to safeguard his sons ability to be accepted, gives Travis twice as much as he asks for. While most of their dreams involve the acquisition of some markers of success, such as a home, large cars, and privileged education, Beneatha has to begin by first ridding herself of the bugs that plague her current situation. Why did Mama choose this location? What are the qualities of an accurate map? Walter does so knowing that he faces the emasculating task of having to ask Ruth for money himself as a result. -She trusts him for the most part, but based on his past, she should not. A1S2 What is your impression of Asagai? Nigeria finally became independent and a member of the British Commonwealth of Nations, and, in 1963, it became a republic. A2S3 What do you think Mama would have said and done if she had been at home when Mr. Lindner visited? for a group? What are the duties of a sanitary prefect in a school? She sees herself as a non-conformist, but Asagai makes her face the fact that she is not living up to her own ideal. The scene is included in the PBS presentation, however. Hansberry wrote the "rat scene" to dramatically point out the graphic terrors that daily confront the children of the poor and also to show that these children must learn to incorporate such horrific realities into their playtime activities. Glossary Asagai sees Beneatha's haircut as an example of assimilationisman acceptance of white oppression and a rejection of her African heritage. Then write the number that describes how the pronoun is used in the You'll be billed after your free trial ends. What does the interior of the Younger house tell you about the family that lives there? -starts out in a worn-out, older, small, crowded living room. WebTravis is chasing the rat with his friends, which is symbolic of the myriad of forces that are "chasing" and seeking to "trap" children of color in America. Mama has acted as the head of the household, which has slighted Walter as the eldest male of his family. SparkNotes PLUS Mamas hospitality is a reflection of the pride that she takes in her family and its treatment of others. -Mama is being fair because he is wasting away his life Why do the Youngers decide to go through with the move? Mama's generation worked hard so that their children could have a "better life," which, to her, meant a life without segregation. After he leaves, Why does he say that the money Walter gave away wasn't hers? Mamas plant symbolizes her version of this dream, because she cares for it as she cares for her family. We're sorry, SparkNotes Plus isn't available in your country. - Because she tries to make an intellectual comment about many African Americans ignorance - Mama and Ruth are standing next to each other thinking the same thing, A-level Law: Intoxication (Paper 1: Section B, The Language of Composition: Reading, Writing, Rhetoric, Lawrence Scanlon, Renee H. Shea, Robin Dissin Aufses, Literature and Composition: Reading, Writing,Thinking, Carol Jago, Lawrence Scanlon, Renee H. Shea, Robin Dissin Aufses, Diagnostic Tests for Identification of Bacter. Everyone is worried about the check arriving safely because the check is the physical symbol of their freedom from their current life. His persistent nagging quickly irritates her. 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. Ruth brings herself closer to her child, while Walter isolates himself in the other roomliterally and figuratively shutting his mother out. Already a member? A2S1 Why does Ruth's excitement about the new house begin to fade when she discovers its location? A1S1 Why does Mama slap Beneatha? Beneatha, of course, reacts angrily to Asagai's criticism and judgment. This little scene may seem insignificant, but it develops Mama's character. You run our lives like you want to. It foreshadows two things: first, that she will allow her hair to return to its natural state, and second, that Beneatha will get together with Asagai and possibly go to Africa with him. behind the bureau A bureau is a piece of furniture that was usually kept in the bedroom and used for storing clothing. Beneathas spraying of the apartment seems symbolic of her dissatisfaction with her surroundings. Thus, she tells Travis that Ruth is out on an errand and will be back eventually. Answered by Aslan on 7/25/2017 10:26 PM Ruth and any corresponding bookmarks? -It is an all white area Mama sits down with Walter who is upset byand ashamed ofhis poverty, his job as a chauffeur, and his lack of upward mobility. Start your 48-hour free trial to get access to more than 30,000 additional guides and more than 350,000 Homework Help questions answered by our experts. The free trial period is the first 7 days of your subscription. This shows Mama's ignorance of their African heritage and its significance to Beneatha. Mama cannot understand why Walter Lee wants more from life than to sit anywhere he wants on public transportation. SparkNotes Plus subscription is $4.99/month or $24.99/year as selected above. -Yes, he seems like he wants Bennie to be happy. from your Reading List will also remove any How does Hansberry use it in this scene? How does the piece of paper that arrives affect each member of the family? What does the plant represent in the play A Raisin in the Sun? The stage directions indicate that the furniture, though apparently once chosen with care, is now very worn and faded. You'll be billed after your free trial ends. They are simply caught up in the excitement of the moment the receipt of the check. -Having many offices, a nice house, gardener, nice cars, lots of money She even indicates to Ruth and Mama that she might not get married, a possibility that astonishes them because it runs counter to their expectations of a womans role. How does Ruth behave when she learns about the rat In raisin She expresses sympathy for her grandson, Travis, while she questions Ruths ability to care for him properly. Mama tries so hard to impress Beneatha's Nigerian friend that her remarks are almost comical, clearly not her intent. Mama is confused because she does not understand the reference to the queen of the Nile. Summary and Analysis Rather, they live in a world in which being middle class is also a dream. A2S3 What does Ruth buy for the new house? A1S2 How do the various family members use humor to reduce the stressfulness of their situation? Why does he visit? Many Black intellectuals and writers, especially in the 1960s, faced this dilemma; Beneathas character thus seems somewhat ahead of her time. -Walter comes in drunk and starts to sing and dance (being really rude and loud). Walter is either more optimistic, or in greater denial. These dreams mostly involve money. A1S1 When family members argue, the reasons may be more complex than they at first appear. As a playwright, Hansberry must develop characters through dialogue because there is no narration that can do it for her. How does his visit change the family's mood? In her eyes, the present is so intolerable and the future so bleak that she would rather destroy the next generation than bring a child into a life of poverty and hopelessness. -He is not as excited as the others Save over 50% with a SparkNotes PLUS Annual Plan! You'll also receive an email with the link. What is Hansberry saying by including the subsequent stage direction? Who makes the plaid blue coat Jesse stone wears in Sea Change? What is the significance of the last exchange between Ruth, Walter, and Mama about the abortion? Why? A2S2 What does Travis want to be when he grows up? He promises to bring the money to Willy when he receives it. PDF downloads of all 1725 LitCharts literature guides, and of every new one we publish. How does this fit Walter's character? -Based on their personalities they will probably stay together but it's not a good ides. Despite her cramped living situation and the lifetime of hard work that she has endured, she maintains her focus on her dream, which helps her to persevere. From what you have seen so far, how would you describe the relationship between Ruth and Travis? Why does Mama look at Beneatha when she speaks to Travis about his mother? It is difficult in such a crowded atmosphere as the Younger household for one person to be singled out and heard. She not only wants to have a careera far cry from the June Cleaver stay-at-home-mom role models of the 1950s (June Cleaver was the name of the mother on Leave it to Beaver, a popular late-1950s sitcom about a stereotypical suburban family)but also desires to find her identity and pursue an independent career without relying solely on a man. Mama also imagines a garden that she can tend along with her dream house. Beneathas statement that the family suffers from ghetto-itis draws attention to the perils of life in a segregated ghetto neighborhood. The other conflicts, such as the special treatment that Beneatha receives from Mama, Walter's resentment at not being head of the house, etc., might not have come to the foreground without the arrival of the check. Once upon a time freedom used to be lifenow its money. WebEarlier in the play, Ruth was stressed about the knowledge that she was pregnant. Use up and down arrows to review and enter to select. A1S2 How does Beneatha feel about the church? They keep mentioning a check. Interestingly, Beneathas spraying reverses the pattern of the Youngers dreams. Please identify examples of figurative language in A Raisin in the Sun. A+ Student Essay: The Role of Money in the Play, Lorraine Hansberry and A Raisin in the Sun Background. Beneatha recants and leaves for school, and Mama goes to the window to tend her plant. The frustration Walter Lee exhibits in this scene is recognizable by everyone who has ever felt ignored in spite of loud cries to be heard. Does Ruth agree? Because of this exclusion, Walters dreams of money and success in business become inextricably linked to his image of himself as a man. That Beneathas attitude toward him differs from Ruths or Mamas may result from the age difference among the three women. However, for Walter, the way that Mama has used the money illustrates her headship of the family and represents the death of his dream to start up his own liquor store. Even if Walter's ideas were unacceptable and offensive, someone in his family should have taken the time to listen. Ruth comes into the room just as Travis goes downstairs to get the mail. So you butchered up a dream of mine--you--who always talking 'bout your children's dreams. Mama is clearly suggesting that Beneatha is not really interested in Africa, but is pretending to be so in order to make Asagai like her. Hansberry uses this scene to express her dissatisfaction with most people's distorted perceptions about Africa. Walter, on the other hand, lacks this singular dedication to his family. What is the significance of the fact that Walter does not know where Ruth is? A3S1 How does Asagai answer Beneatha? for a group? How does the mood of the play change when the postman rings the doorbell? Will he try to stop Ruth? Tendremos que salir a las seis de la maana, lo que A1S1 Describe the setting of the story. Why do Asagai and Beneatha argue about assimilationism? The original production of this play, as well as the original movie screenplay, does not contain the incident involving Travis' chasing a huge rat while he is downstairs playing with his friends in the street. Although they are poor, still their house is clean; although the furniture is old, there is still the ritualistic weekly polishing. Read an essay about how A Raisin in the Sun debuted at the start of the volatile 1960s. A3S1 Why does Walter call Mr. Lindner? Mama's? Normally, kids would be disgusted and frightened by rats, especially one that is bleeding and dying; the fact that it intrigues Travis shows that he is inured to the effects of poverty: what Beneatha will refer to later on as "acute ghetto-itis." We've all got acute ghetto-itis Beneatha says this when Asagai drops by to visit, immediately after the Younger family has had a depressing conversation about their financial station in life and Ruth's possible pregnancy. Meanwhile Ruth, who is usually quieter, laughs out loud.