A2S1 Why does Ruth's excitement about the new house begin to fade when she discovers its location? How does Ruth behave when she learns about the rat In raisin Her reaction that Asagais love is not enough is an expression of her desire not just for love but for a partner dedicated to her equality and freedom as well. A2S1 How does Travis get into trouble? Similarly, the speculation over Ruths pregnancy imbues the scene with a sense of anxiety and tension. 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. This important part of the play comes at the end of Act Two Scene 1 and we can clearly see the various hopes of dreams of the characters involved. WebMama, however, can see into Ruth's mind and heart and knows what she intends. Still, no matter how much Mama works, the plant remains feeble, because there is so little light. -Makes the mad, sad, and fearful Do you have pictures of Gracie Thompson from the movie Gracie's choice. How does Walter react to that idea? Mama, however, seems to feel as though Walter and Beneatha's generation takes the civil rights advancements of her generation for granted, and possibly that the life they fought for should be enough for her children. What does the interior of the Younger house tell you about the family that lives there? Do you think you would like him? -Shows that she cares about the little things. Did you know you can highlight text to take a note? Who makes the plaid blue coat Jesse stone wears in Sea Change? The tension evoked by issues of money and manhood comes sharply into focus when Travis asks for fifty cents. Walter does not believe that Ruth would do such a thing until Ruth comes out of the bedroom to confirm that she has made a down payment on the service. -Walter's jealous of the way he grew up Ruth calls the doctor she, which arouses Mamas suspicion because their family doctor is a man. She reveals this information to Mama and Beneatha. Log in here. Beneatha, of course, reacts angrily to Asagai's criticism and judgment. 2023 eNotes.com, Inc. All Rights Reserved, Masterplots II: Juvenile & Young Adult Literature Series A Raisin in the Sun Analysis, Masterpieces of Womens Literature A Raisin in the Sun Analysis, Critical Context (Masterplots II: African American Literature), Critical Context (Masterplots II: Juvenile & Young Adult Literature Series), Critical Context (Comprehensive Guide to Drama), https://www.enotes.com/topics/raisin-in-the-sun. Note his body language in this scene and how it compares to Ruths. This upsets Ruth because it serves as yet another reminder of her own poverty, and her inability to give her son a better life. A2S2 Why does Beneatha tell Mama that George is a fool? She knows something is wrong, but does not know what, and essentially accuses Walter of having an affair when he is not. -Walter gets upset because he wants Travis to have/be something more in life. How then might the character's name be ambiguous? | He is described as silent and sullen. He walks slowly across the room to his bedroom, and before turning around speaks measuredly to Mama. The insurance check is all Walter needs to pursue the venture. By entering your email address you agree to receive emails from SparkNotes and verify that you are over the age of 13. While Travis gets ready in the communal bathroom, Ruth and Walter talk in the kitchen. Mama believes that Africans need religious salvation from heathenism, while Beneatha believes that they are in greater need of political and civil salvation from French and British colonialism. What is the connection between Langston Hughes's "Harlem (A Dream Deferred)" and the central theme of Lorraine Hansberry's play A Raisin in the Sun? Mama's generation worked hard so that their children could have a "better life," which, to her, meant a life without segregation. Get Annual Plans at a discount when you buy 2 or more! What subtle glimpse into Beneatha's soul does this conversation provide? -He doesn't support her dreams/ideas and just uses her as a sort of trophy. Contact us Actresses seem to portray the character of Mama in two primary ways: either as a folksy relic of an earlier time, a woman who hopes one day to have a garden in the sun, or more recently, as a hardworking, powerful, all-knowing matriarch. A3S1 How does Asagai answer Beneatha? In A Raisin in the Sun, explain George's reference to Prometheus. -Asagai is more compatible. Explain the different reactions of Ruth and Walter to -Because she believes that dreaming will take you nowhere in life and it's point less. How does the piece of paper that arrives affect each member of the family? Which one? 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. During the thirties and forties, the mass exodus of blacks from the south to the northern cities was an attempt to flee segregation injustices, including being forced to ride at the back of buses. The small potted plant acts as a temporary stand-in for her much larger dream. Ruth returns from seeing a doctor, who has told her that she is two months pregnant. She reveals this information to Mama and Beneatha. Ruth and Beneatha are worried and uncertain, while Mama simply expresses her hope that the baby will be a girl. Ruth calls the doctor she, which arouses Mamas suspicion because their family doctor is a man. Mama eventually has to be the one to tell him about Ruth's dilemma and is surprised that his desire for the money overshadows his concern for both Ruth and his unborn child. Act 1 | The Crucible Questions | Q & A | GradeSaver Complete the following sentence by choosing the word that best fits the context, based on information you infer from the use of the italicized word. Thus, she tells Travis that Ruth is out on an errand and will be back eventually. What is significant about the exchange between Beneatha and Asagai about Beneatha's hair? -starts out in a worn-out, older, small, crowded living room. From his perspective, he enters the apartment excited about the money, and is dismissed and treated like a child. For Mama, the next generation their hope. You the head of this family. This kept Ruth emotionally wound up and worried. A2S2 What is Walter's dream for the future? April 30, 2023, SNPLUSROCKS20 What is her "dream"? Mira el retrato (portrait) del nio y lee el prrafo. Mama has acted as the head of the household, which has slighted Walter as the eldest male of his family. When the voiced th sound arise, include a final e. List examples of each of these rules in poems. (Even in the northern cities, vestiges of segregation were apparent.) Then write the number that describes how the pronoun is used in the -The hope of a better future and better things coming. He thinks that she should be doing something more womanly than studying medicine, especially since her tuition will cut into the check, which is the insurance payment for their fathers death. Should she? -Mama wants to stay at the apartment (she's given up). -Mama is being fair because he is wasting away his life How does Ruth behave when she learns about the rat A+ Student Essay: The Role of Money in the Play, Lorraine Hansberry and A Raisin in the Sun Background. Sometimes it can end up there. Mama attempts to discredit Walters money-centric worldview by reminding him of the life-or-death struggles endured by earlier generations of African Americans. -Because the $10,000 is finally arriving Furthermore, seeing themselves as Americans, some African Americans questioned why it was necessary to have extensive knowledge of Africa. from your Reading List will also remove any In Mamas mind, dignity and freedom are virtues far more precious than material wealth. Ruth bears the responsibility not only for literally carrying the child, but also for shouldering a significant part of the accompanying financial burden. How does this fit Walter's character? Mama cannot understand why Walter Lee wants more from life than to sit anywhere he wants on public transportation. How is Mama's reaction to the gift different from the way the others react? How does George react? After Asagai gives her this nickname, however, the name Beneatha could also point to the character's spiritual, "Alaiyo" nature, which dwells beneath the physical exterior. What is the significance of the exchange between Mama and Walter? What is his attitude toward Mama? Asagai visits Beneatha, and they spend some time together by themselves. -George doesn't care. Do you think she will agree to his offer? -Mama chose it because it was the cheapest house she could find. Do you side with one more than with the other? 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! of the pronoun in parentheses. Mama's look is a warning to Beneatha; Mama does not want Travis to know that Ruth is pregnant and is at the doctor's office because this would only worry the boy. If you don't see it, please check your spam folder. Varios estudiantes van a ir a esquiar este fin de semana. Why do the Youngers decide to go through with the move? In A Raisin in the Sun, why do you think Mama changes her mind and gives Walter the insurance money? Renew your subscription to regain access to all of our exclusive, ad-free study tools. A Raisin in the Sun Act I, Scene i Summary & Analysis What do you think Walter will do now? PDFs of modern translations of every Shakespeare play and poem. Beneatha and Travis start fighting, and Beneatha threatens him with the spray gun. A2S3 How do you know that Ruth and Walter have been getting along better for the past day or two? -Thinking about having to raise another child in the small apartment, in an unsafe/unsanitary area. The fact that he explains the issue softly and gently shows his gentle, yet strong nature. WebEarlier in the play, Ruth was stressed about the knowledge that she was pregnant. For Ruth, Mamas announcement that she has bought a house is one of the first bursts of optimism in a long time. Walter and Beneatha have never know the problems Mama and her husband faced, but they are aware of the social and financial inequalities that still exist, and which that they would like to eradicate. All of the characters in A Raisin in the Sun have unfulfilled dreams. -She buys curtains 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. At the beginning of the eighteenth century, the British gained control over the slave trade there. A1S1 Why do you think Mama likes the plant so much? You don't have to ride to work on the back of nobody's streetcar Prior to the civil rights movement, which reached its peak in the sixties, segregated facilities, separating whites from blacks, were common in the south, where "Jim Crow" laws made it legal. Mama is confused because she does not understand the reference to the queen of the Nile. Why? Earlier in the play, Ruth was stressed about the knowledge that she was pregnant. Because of this exclusion, Walters dreams of money and success in business become inextricably linked to his image of himself as a man. A1S1 What is your impression of Ruth? In contrast, Walter is quiet and visibly disappointed because the news means he no longer has a chance to achieve his dream. Teacher Editions with classroom activities for all 1725 titles we cover. Ruth and Beneatha are worried and uncertain, while Mama simply expresses her hope that the baby will be a girl. A Raisin in the Sun Comprehension Questions.odt - A Raisin Read an in-depth analysis of Lena Mama Younger. Creating notes and highlights requires a free LitCharts account. A Rasin in the Sun Test Study Guide Flashcards | Quizlet Mama sits down with Walter who is upset byand ashamed ofhis poverty, his job as a chauffeur, and his lack of upward mobility. Beneatha contends that, for that very reason, any further relationship is pointless, as Georges family wouldnt approve of her anyway. Beneatha recants and leaves for school, and Mama goes to the window to tend her plant. WebRuth and Benetha appear to have the stereotypical sister rivalry. -Business partner with Walter and Willy 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." Why do the Youngers decide to go through with the move? In short, Walter is questioning the reasons he cannot live the way his bosses live. Asked by Joshua M #671913 on 7/25/2017 2:30 PM Last updated by Aslan on 7/25/2017 10:26 PM Answers 1 Add Yours. 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. Jesus tells her that a water bucket is constantly empty, but if she believes, then her kettle will never be empty because it will be filled with the living water of God. (object of a preposition). -Ruth talks happily about him and how they have been holding hands The check represents an outside force that enters into their lives and changes everything, for better or for worse. She simply wants to do the best for the family that she already has. Raisin In the Sun Study Guide- Act I Scene Two Flashcards Is it realistic? 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. -Always arguing What do you think some of the deeper reasons for the conflict might be? Nigeria was ruled by the Portuguese at the end of the fifteenth century, followed by the Dutch, the Danes, the Spaniards, and the Swedes. 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. Sometimes it can end up there. They keep mentioning a check. You'll be able to access your notes and highlights, make requests, and get updates on new titles. She is experiencing a spiritual longing. A1S2 How do Ruth and the other family members react to the news of her pregnancy? In contrast, Walters body language embodies his disappointment. -He says it's not her because if her father was still around they wouldn't have that money at all. He felt entitled to the money for his dream and now feels that he will never have a chance at it. What does the check symbolize, from both a plot standpoint and a dramatic standpoint? 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. Tudo Sobre Ansiedade - Home What are the surface reasons for the arguments between Walter and Ruth? Beneathas hair is also tied to her identity as a woman and traditional i.e., white notions of feminine beauty. -It is an all white area These phone calls serve parallel functions for those who receive them and demonstrate what is important to both of the characters: Walter is waiting to move quickly on the investment, while Beneatha cannot wait to see Asagai and introduce him to her family. A Raisin in the Sun: Act 1, Scene 2 Summary & Analysis WebWhen the local neer-do-well Ruby Dahl falls for Ruth, she notes that he was the first man in the history of the universe that noticed my feminine lure (127). Nigeria finally became independent and a member of the British Commonwealth of Nations, and, in 1963, it became a republic. Dont have an account? A2S2 What does Mama tell Walter to do with the money? She is at the center of her familys life, and she controls many of the interactions of the members of her household. Central Idea Essay: Why Does Mama Want to Own Property? An intellectual gap, however, also compounds the generational difference between Mama and her daughter Beneatha. Mama's can of kitchen cleanser is always empty because she must at least keep her home very clean, since she cannot keep it looking new. A2S1 How does Beneatha's Nigerian dress and music affect Walter? She embraces natural hair as an alternative ideal of beauty, and sees herself as embracing her African heritage. Latest answer posted February 28, 2021 at 2:55:14 PM. Discount, Discount Code 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. During the 1950s, abortion was illegal, but Ruth has valid reasons for not wanting her pregnancy. Walter exclaims at one point, "Will somebody please listen to me today?" Central Idea Essay: Why Does Mama Want to Own Property? Not until Rosa Parks dramatically refused to sit at the back of a bus in Montgomery, Alabama, in 1954, an act which accelerated the civil rights movement, did most blacks in the south even think about the absurdity of the "Jim Crow" laws. A1S2 Why has everyone been waiting for the mailman's arrival? Read more about Mamas plant as a symbol. Do you think the relationship can be saved? -Because in his mind, he thought he was going to get that money to invest in one of his many dumb ideas. Travis sleeps on the couch in the living room. Beneatha says that her hair was once like his, but that she finds it too raw that way. When does Walter change his mind? Why does Beneatha want to become a doctor? The issue of the check serves only to exacerbate the conflicts that already exist. Save over 50% with a SparkNotes PLUS Annual Plan! Teachers and parents! Her relentless care for the plant represents her protection of her dream. After hanging up, Beneatha explains to Mama that the man she has spoken to on the phone is Joseph Asagai, an African intellectual whom Beneatha has met at school. Hansberry may have selected the name Beneatha to represent the oppression of African-American women, drawing on the word 'beneath.'