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. Act 1, Scene 2 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. The rulers of Mali established the Muslim religion that had come out of Arabia and was sweeping throughout Africa. 41 Comments Please sign inor registerto post comments. Beneatha removes her headdress to reveal that she has cut off most of her hair, leaving only an unstraightened afro. Walter cannot seem to stop, though, and the more he talks to Travis about his dream, the bigger the dream gets. And when Mrs. Johnson goes on to say that Washington "was one of our great men," Mama counters, almost angrily, with, "Who said so?" 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. Gone With the Wind. Caucasus, where his liver was torn out every day by an eagle but grew back each night. From the creators of SparkNotes, something better. the best little combo in the world This phrase refers to the band of musicians that Walter admires in the Green Hat. Extremely hard working, he attended school at night. How has the atmosphere in the Younger apartment changed since the first scene? The original text plus a side-by-side modern translation of. Walters unspoken approval of Ruths decision shows that he still fails to meet Mamas expectations for a man. Why does Mama buy a house in an all-white neighborhood? Detailed explanations, analysis, and citation info for every important quote on LitCharts. This means that African Americans are ignorant about Africa. During this period in history, some black men (especially those connected with show business) would have their hair straightened through a chemical process that was both demeaning and extremely painful. 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.". Thus began the Benin practice of making bronze-brass castings to memorialize important events. . Menelik II initiated the modern age of Ethiopian development by defeating the Italians, who were trying to establish a protectorate over Ethiopia. Are you sure you want to remove #bookConfirmation# SparkNotes PLUS Uncharacteristically, Walter embraces his African heritage, but only in a fleeting moment of fantasy. Madame Butterfly: Beneatha is dressed in Du Bois, educated at Fisk, Harvard, and the University of Berlin, was a writer and political activist, activities which Washington perceived as frivolous. With this money, Mama says, Walter should becomeand should act like he has becomethe head of the family. washbowl or the contents of chamber Du Bois (1868-1963), was a man who dramatically espoused the opposite of Washington's philosophy. Dont have an account? Mama recognizes the racial prejudice that limits her sons job opportunities. 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. Bantu The Bantu language is the tongue common to the peoples of Africa who live below the equator. A Raisin in The Sun Forbidden Fruit Biblical Allusions Turn the other cheek The phrase "turn the other cheek" is taught in the Sermon on the Mount, found in Matthew 5:38-59. As a result, people within the black community often had negative perceptions about those who adopted this style. Walter again has the chance to talk Ruth out of having an abortion, but he says nothing. Meanwhile, Walter returns home drunk. Find related themes, quotes, symbols, characters, and more. Prometheus' suffering lasted for thousands of years until Hercules killed the eagle and freed Prometheus. Hansberry, herself, speaks through Mama, who dismisses Washington as a "fool." in Puccini's Italian opera 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. 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. move on up a little higher: a song 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. ", Previous 20% This scene is often the most misinterpreted of all the scenes in the play. By entering your email address you agree to receive emails from SparkNotes and verify that you are over the age of 13. Members will be prompted to log in or create an account to redeem their group membership. . Historical Context Essay: A Raisin in the Sun on the Brink of the 1960s, Literary Context Essay: Hansberry, Langston Hughes, & the Harlem Renaissance. 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. betterment of "people of color." W. E. Renew your subscription to regain access to all of our exclusive, ad-free study tools. Read more about why Mama buys a house in an all-white neighborhood. (including. Teach your students to analyze literature like LitCharts does. 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. 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. 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.". This scene separates George and Asagai into completely different categories where George, as his common name suggests, represents a Black person assimilating into the white world, while Asagai, with his ethnically rich name, stands for the New Africanist culture that those who oppose assimilation pursue. -Graham S. Walters fears about his worth as a man lead him to question Georges manhood. winking for . missionary work Struggling with distance learning? How does Walter lose the insurance money? Tradition states that around 1170, the Oba (king) commissioned the finest bronze/brass-smith, a man who was so excellent in his craft that to this day, his name is worshipped as a god by the bronze/brass-smiths of Benin. Summary and Analysis This alludes to Napoleon Bonaparte, the French emperor who tried to take over Europe. Meanwhile, Ruth falls in the middle of this debate, possessing neither Georges social standing nor Beneathas fierce dedication to a largely foreign cultural identity. Answers: 1. Act I Scene 2, Next 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. Despite Mrs. Johnson's meddling and overly familiar manner, Mama and Ruth keep a cool head and maintain their politeness, showing the pride that they take in their family and its reputation for hospitality. 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 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.". How does Walter lose the insurance money? After Joseph Asagai refers to Beneathas Caucasian-style straightened hair as mutilated, Beneatha reevaluates the significance of her A RAISIN IN THE SUN By: Lorraine Hansberry ACT II SCENE ONE Time: Later the same day. (including. 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. 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. Walters boss calls, telling Ruth that Walter has not been to work in three days. His self-hatred manifests itself in his contemptuous attitude toward other blacks, especially toward less wealthy and less educated blacks like Walter. Mama asks for their understandingit was the only house that they could afford. 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. period and they also help to develop characterization, conflict, and theme. 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. 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. You'll be able to access your notes and highlights, make requests, and get updates on new titles. from Africa speak the language of Bantu, the nature of quiet desperation The complete quotation to which George refers is "The mass of men lead lives of quiet desperation," a line from Thoreau's Walden. 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." You may cancel your subscription on your Subscription and Billing page or contact Customer Support at custserv@bn.com. They are fair game and $18.74/subscription + tax, Save 25% as salt" Beneatha counters with a Historical Context - information about the period, the place, and the events that. Definitions and examples of 136 literary terms and devices. Beneatha believes that society must be changed through self-knowledge and, thus, through consciousness and celebration of ones heritage. Nonetheless, her mistakenly oriental fan signifies that Beneatha still lacks a fully developed sense or understanding of true African identity. Instant PDF downloads. As Beneatha dances in a robe that Asagai gives her, George deems her interest in her African roots absurd. sophisticated girl. Mama comes in as Beneatha kicks him out. Detailed explanations, analysis, and citation info for every important quote on LitCharts. This alludes to the slaves brought here from Africa. for African-Americans in Alabama. He wants to be rich if being rich is the solution to his familys problems. Walter has lost all hope and motivation, completely abandoning his duties as a husband and father. When George Murchison refers to Walter Lee as "bitter," Walter Lee agrees that he's bitter; Walter also wonders how George can be content having to live as a second-class citizen in spite of his wealth and not be bitter himself. Words 412. Walter is no longer with Beneatha. and currently active across the U., You can view our. Allusions In A Raisin In The Sun. Hansberry makes it clear here that George and Beneatha are not compatible. His comments put him further at odds with Beneatha, and she begins to feel more of an affinity with Asagai and her African roots than with George and what she considers to be his false roots in American society. The person whom Walter Lee describes as having a "conked head" is a part of the entertainment world; he is a musician at the Green Hat, a bar that Walter Lee frequents. Jesus emphasizes that we should do good to those who wrong us. Thirty pieces and a not a coin less!: of Ruth and Walters concern about moving into a predominantly white neighborhood reflects the great tension that existed between raceseven in the Northern states. Act II Scene 2, Mrs. Johnson (Mrs. Wilhelmina Othella Johnson). It means that Asagai is proposing to Beneatha, Beneatha tells Walter Lee he is a prophet leading them out of the wilderness. Refine any search. Wed love to have you back! Although she is dressed like a Nigerian woman, she begins to dramatically fan herself in order to accentuate her outfit, but she inadvertently loses the African look and appears more Asian, looking as though she's Madame Butterfly instead of African royalty. She believes, as did many in the postWorld War II consumer culture, that, to some degree at least, ownership can provide happiness. 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. 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. An opportunity for the family to escape the poverty comes when the family receive an 10,000 insurance check. 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. in 1816 and founded the great Zulu politician involved in the country's Your group members can use the joining link below to redeem their group membership. touched by World War II. A summary of Act II, Scene ii in Lorraine Hansberry's A Raisin in the Sun. 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. 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. Mama asks if she had a good time with George, and Beneatha tells her that George is a fool. Mama replies, I guess you better not waste your time with no fools. Beneatha appreciates her mothers support. Your subscription will continue automatically once the free trial period is over. Definitions and examples of 136 literary terms and devices. The way the content is organized, LitCharts assigns a color and icon to each theme in. Mama's unending devotion to her small houseplant signifies her read analysis of Mama's Plant. Beneatha goes to change for the theater, and Walter talks to George about business plans. Gimme some sugar then a southern expression that means "Give me a hug, a kiss." Period 5 1844 - 1877 Amsco Note Taking Guide (Ch. Traditionally, "crackers" refers to bigoted whites, especially those living in Georgia; here, Ruth is using the term to derogatorily refer to all white racists. Clearly, Hansherry uses her own family's livelihood as being the livelihood of the rich black family in Raisin. Near the end of the play, Mama is talking to Beneatha about marrying George Murchison. knowledge of the Bible by quoting a 84 A RAISIN IN THE SUN. The Youngers apartment is full of moving boxes. Jacobs kettle 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.". Removing #book# Refine any search. foreign-born individuals, and other Walter wants to own his own business. Sadly, the people of Benin began to involve themselves in the lucrative Atlantic slave-trade selling captured rival prisoners to Europeans and Americans. 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. The radical nature of the Youngers desire to participate in the American dream does bring along some hardship. Walter then becomes belligerent as he makes fun of Georges white shoes. 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. Act 2 of A Raisin in the Sun has several themes. on 2-49 accounts, Save 30% By 1180, however, a group of rival tribes united as the nation of Mali, ravaged Ghana, and put an end to its empire. Means that you should forgive and forget about it when someone disappoints you. 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." especially in the South, directed against dramatic, mysterious; George calls 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. allusions in order to supply the reader with historical background. The "American Dream" that she describes and the one that currently exists are vastly different. 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. 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. Share your findings with the class. Mama and Ruth offer her food and drink, and she gladly accepts. She is generally insensitive and unable to speak in a civil manner. 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). She compares, for example, the overt racism of the south at that time with the covert racism found in the north. Thanks for creating a SparkNotes account! . He was crowned Emperor in 1930. 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. Beneatha Greta Garbo because he thinks Her pregnancy is no longer a burden, but instead signifies hope and expectation. Chaka: he became chief of the Zulu clan Ruth is apprehensive, almost frightened, when she hears that the new house is located in the all-white neighborhood of Clybourne Park. A Raisin in the Sun: Act 2 What would you do if you suddenly came into more money than you ever thought possible? The original text plus a side-by-side modern translation of. What similarities and differences do you find? Walter makes Mama feel guilty, saying that she has crushed his dream. Mrs. Johnson views the Youngers pride as a negative quality, one that mistakenly allows them to see themselves as exceptional. 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. Summary and Analysis 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 . Use up and down arrows to review and enter to select. Find related themes, quotes, symbols, characters, and more. Walter's already exaggerated dreams, however, suddenly turn into an avalanche of pitiful prattle. How are glazing and cir similar and different? to start your free trial of SparkNotes Plus. ? They ground the work in a specific time In his "Atlanta speech," Booker T. Washington urged blacks to cultivate friendly relations with white men. 9), Ethics and Social Responsibility (PHIL 1404), Biology 2 for Health Studies Majors (BIOL 1122), Elements of Intercultural Communication (COM-263), Organizational Theory and Behavior (BUS5113), Mathematical Concepts and Applications (MAT112), Professional Application in Service Learning I (LDR-461), Advanced Anatomy & Physiology for Health Professions (NUR 4904), Principles Of Environmental Science (ENV 100), Operating Systems 2 (proctored course) (CS 3307), Comparative Programming Languages (CS 4402), Business Core Capstone: An Integrated Application (D083), 315-HW6 sol - fall 2015 homework 6 solutions, Ch. Mrs. Miniver: Inspired by the 1940 novel Purchasing Asked by Aziz A. Act II Scene 2. pedantic response, a phrase from the . Teacher Editions with classroom activities for all 1699 titles we cover. 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. Colonel McCormick: owner and publisher Dont have an account? Your subscription will continue automatically once the free trial period is over. Prometheus: In Greek mythology, a Titan Scarlet OHara: The heroine of the book can't say her opinion, then she's nothing. A frustrated and angered Mama retaliates by calling him a fool. Mrs. Johnson leaves the apartment. A Raisin in the Sun by Lorraine Hansberry is about living the "American Dream". Mrs. Johnsonthe Youngers neighborvisits. LitCharts Teacher Editions. Would not have made it through AP Literature without the printable PDFs. 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. 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. Now, rather than insisting that she can't understand her children, Mama is trying to support them. Struggling with distance learning? 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. Kenyatta: Jomo Kenyatta, a Kenyan 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. Opines that a raisin in the sun is an excellent play. Act 2, Scene 3 Students also viewed Symbolism in The Namesake My Sister's Keeper Book Project Submitted By. 13), N. Period 4 1800 - 1848 Amsco Note Taking Guide (Ch. who was punished by Zeus for stealing. queen of the Nile Struggling with distance learning? wits by a third, Rhett Butler. : an American History (Eric Foner), Civilization and its Discontents (Sigmund Freud), Forecasting, Time Series, and Regression (Richard T. O'Connell; Anne B. Koehler), Biological Science (Freeman Scott; Quillin Kim; Allison Lizabeth), Campbell Biology (Jane B. Reece; Lisa A. Urry; Michael L. Cain; Steven A. Wasserman; Peter V. Minorsky), Chemistry: The Central Science (Theodore E. Brown; H. Eugene H LeMay; Bruce E. Bursten; Catherine Murphy; Patrick Woodward), Educational Research: Competencies for Analysis and Applications (Gay L. R.; Mills Geoffrey E.; Airasian Peter W.), Allusions from each act of the book Raisin in the Sun, Reference sheet - misplaced dangling modifiers. Steel 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. an African costume; in the stage Complete your free account to request a guide. She has come to visit to tell them about a Black family who has been bombed out of their home in a white neighborhood. Allusions/Essential Terms in A Raisin in the Sun. 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. 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. 2023 Course Hero, Inc. All rights reserved. You'll be billed after your free trial ends. African-American educator of the late It means that Beneatha has no faith in Walter Lee's Leadership, Lena says she saw a cockroach like Napoleon. Complete your free account to access notes and highlights. Mama's Plant. Georges obsessions seem similarhaving achieved wealth, he sees it as justifying his own sense of superiority. Sometimes it can end up there. You'll also get updates on new titles we publish and the ability to save highlights and notes. Instant PDF downloads. 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. Ace your assignments with our guide to A Raisin in the Sun! Ruth cannot contain her happiness at the thought of their finally being able to move out of the overcrowded apartment. To say that A Raisin in the Sun has a lot of allusions is an understatement.