Circle the correct form Tendremos que salir a las seis de la maana, lo que A1S1 Describe the setting of the story. Beneatha recants and leaves for school, and Mama goes to the window to tend her plant. 2023 Course Hero, Inc. All rights reserved. A2S1 How does Travis get into trouble? 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.. Compare and contrast Joseph Asagai with George Murchison in A Raisin in the Sun. The insurance check is all Walter needs to pursue the venture. Then write the number that describes how the pronoun is used in the So you butchered up a dream of mine--you--who always talking 'bout your children's dreams. Both interpretations seem valid. What is his attitude toward Mama? Ruth bears the responsibility not only for literally carrying the child, but also for shouldering a significant part of the accompanying financial burden. A3S1 How does Asagai answer Beneatha? -I think Walter will only fall deeper into his hole and not try and stop Ruth from killing their baby. How then might the character's name be ambiguous? By signing up you agree to our terms and privacy policy. SparkNotes Plus subscription is $4.99/month or $24.99/year as selected above. Explain Beneatha's argument with her mother about God in A Raisin in the Sun. Hansberry uses similar minor interactions to develop the characters throughout the play. A2S3 What does Travis get for Mama? A1S2 Why has everyone been waiting for the mailman's arrival? He is described as silent and sullen. He walks slowly across the room to his bedroom, and before turning around speaks measuredly to Mama. Does Ruth agree? -Bennie is going on about she doesn't believe in God. Act I Scene 2, Mrs. Johnson (Mrs. Wilhelmina Othella Johnson). Asagai, on the other hand, represents Black Pride and African heritage. Despite its harrowing past, Nigeria has become a leader in literature, art, music, and craftsmanship. Do you believe it was the right decision? 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. How does the mood of the play change when the postman rings the doorbell? She is experiencing a spiritual longing. WebRuth calls the doctor she, which arouses Mamas suspicion because their family doctor is a man. Instant PDF downloads. An interesting aspect of this particular "Jim Crow" law was that a black person might be permitted to sit in the front of the bus if there were no white person on the bus who needed that seat. What does the check symbolize, from both a plot standpoint and a dramatic standpoint? After he leaves, Travis brings in the insurance check from the mailbox, and Walter seizes this opportunity to discuss his business plans again. 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." Indeed, her seeking of her roots in Africa to forge her identity (even though her family has been in America for five generations) precedes the New African movement of the 1960s. Teachers and parents! How does Walter plan to use the insurance money? Note what he says to Mama in his anger: What you need me to say you done right for? Why? 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. Do Eric benet and Lisa bonet have a child together? It is morning at the Youngers apartment. Free trial is available to new customers only. Beneatha gets angry as they praise George because she thinks that he is shallow. Mama and Ruth do not understand her ambivalence toward George, arguing that she should like him simply because he is rich. A2S1 Is Walter right when he accuses his mother of trying to run her children's lives? I DON'T EVER WANT TO SEE YOUR UGLY FACE AGAIN! Mamas plant symbolizes her version of this dream, because she cares for it as she cares for her family. -Because in his mind, he thought he was going to get that money to invest in one of his many dumb ideas. Rather, they live in a world in which being middle class is also a dream. Get Annual Plans at a discount when you buy 2 or more! -Ruth is annoyed and keeps on telling him to stop What does the following statement by Beneatha's foreshadow? - Because she tries to make an intellectual comment about many African Americans ignorance When the play opened in 1959, all that most people knew about Africa was via the broadcasts from the various colonial rulers and/or the Hollywood messages contained in Tarzan movies. - There is a mix of happy, excited, and curious to see what's next. What does the interior of the Younger house tell you about the family that lives there? Why does Mama buy a house in an all-white neighborhood? -Always arguing Raisin In the Sun Study Guide- Act I Scene Two Flashcards Renew your subscription to regain access to all of our exclusive, ad-free study tools. on 50-99 accounts. To those of Mama's generation, it should have been enough that Walter Lee's generation can ride at the front of a bus. By entering your email address you agree to receive emails from SparkNotes and verify that you are over the age of 13. But neither Ruth nor Mama treats him like a grown man. Walter, who usually has a lot to say, is suddenly quiet. A1S1 What is Beneatha like? Does she trust Walter with the money? Walter wants the larger freedom of being totally independent of everyone; he wants to be able to earn his living without having a "boss"; more important, he wants to be able to generate his own income without being dependent on a salary as a chauffeur. She reveals this information to Mama and Beneatha. She embraces natural hair as an alternative ideal of beauty, and sees herself as embracing her African heritage. -He comes home later than he was supposed to Free trial is available to new customers only. - 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. Act One, Scene 2. The insurance check prompts intra-family conflict, as arguments about money quickly become larger struggles concerning personal identity, personal dreams, and family dynamics. Teach your students to analyze literature like LitCharts does. Would not have made it through AP Literature without the printable PDFs. However, Walter is unable to rise to the challenge, dejected as he is by Mamas refusal to support his dreams. Beneatha gives Mama some facts about Africa which Mama later parrots for Asagai's acceptance and Beneatha's approval. Travis asks them for moneyhe is supposed to bring fifty cents to schooland Ruth says that they do not have it. You can view our. LitCharts Teacher Editions. This scene emphasizes the clash of cultures between the American-born black and the African. A1S1 Why does Mama slap Beneatha? Why did Mama choose this location? Why do you think Hansberry selected the name "Beneatha" for this character? Why does Beneatha want to become a doctor? How does the piece of paper that arrives affect each member of the family? She does so literally in this scene by holding the insurance check. The stage directions indicate that the furniture, though apparently once chosen with care, is now very worn and faded. Walter explains that his work as a white mans chauffeur is emasculating and limits his hopes for a better future. 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. You may cancel your subscription on your Subscription and Billing page or contact Customer Support at custserv@bn.com. April 30, 2023, SNPLUSROCKS20 By entering your email address you agree to receive emails from SparkNotes and verify that you are over the age of 13. Why does Beneatha want to become a doctor? This shows Mama's ignorance of their African heritage and its significance to Beneatha. Beneathas hair is also tied to her identity as a woman and traditional i.e., white notions of feminine beauty. Sometimes it can end up there. Ruth gets up first and after some noticeable difficulty, rouses Travis and Walter as she makes breakfast. 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. 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. A1S1 What is your impression of Ruth? Latest answer posted August 25, 2021 at 3:18:50 AM. Might Beneatha's anger hide another emotion, and if so, how is this significant? He felt entitled to the money for his dream and now feels that he will never have a chance at it. 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. WebEarlier in the play, Ruth was stressed about the knowledge that she was pregnant. A2S2 What does Travis want to be when he grows up? Act I Scene 1, Next To a great extent, Walters dreams center on the many things that he wants, highlighting the centrality of material wealth in his formation of a personal identity. Ruth does not want to have an abortion, but she considers it because she sees it as the only way to keep the family together. WebMama, however, can see into Ruth's mind and heart and knows what she intends. They do not seem happy, yet they engage in some light humor. 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. The way the content is organized, LitCharts assigns a color and icon to each theme in. She tries to give the plant enough light and water not only to grow but also to flourish and become beautiful, just as she attempts to provide for her family with meager yet consistent financial support. Historical Context Essay: A Raisin in the Sun on the Brink of the 1960s, Literary Context Essay: Hansberry, Langston Hughes, & the Harlem Renaissance. Ruth wants to discuss her pregnancy with him and becomes upset when he will not listen. In the 1950s, the stereotypical American dream was to have a house with a yard, a big car, and a happy family. To Mama, that particular measure of equality is enough; to Walter, it is an outrage. This scene includes two phone calls: one for Walter from Willy about the liquor store investment and the other for Beneatha from Joseph Asagai, her good friend and fellow intellectual. What do you think will happen to Ruth? Please identify examples of figurative language in A Raisin in the Sun. To honor her African identity, Beneatha realizes that she must allow her hair to display its natural, unassimilated form. Ruth's pregnancy would still add a burden to the family. A3S1 Why does Walter call Mr. Lindner? How is it like Mama's childrenand Mama herself? The four major groups are the Hausa and Falani people in the north, the Yoruba people in the southwest, and the Ibo people in the southeast. The free trial period is the first 7 days of your subscription. What does the allusion "this here can is empty as Jacob's kettle" mean? 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. That Beneathas attitude toward him differs from Ruths or Mamas may result from the age difference among the three women. How do you form that impression? Mama cannot understand why Walter Lee wants more from life than to sit anywhere he wants on public transportation. Mamas hospitality is a reflection of the pride that she takes in her family and its treatment of others. The family will have room for another, and therefore she can finally recognize and await the new life she is creating with joy. Meanwhile, Beneatha is spraying the apartment with insecticide in an attempt to rid it of cockroaches. Although they are poor, still their house is clean; although the furniture is old, there is still the ritualistic weekly polishing. -One wants her to be happy and the other wants her to be pretty She is at the center of her familys life, and she controls many of the interactions of the members of her household. For her, their present abode is a source of oppression for them and is a great stress. PDFs of modern translations of every Shakespeare play and poem. A2S2 Why does Beneatha tell Mama that George is a fool? For him, Mamas news does not represent a hopeful future, but betrayal. her second play, The Sign in Sidney Bruste in s W in dow, that she died, at age 34. Renews May 7, 2023 WebRuth gets up first and after some noticeable difficulty, rouses Travis and Walter as she makes breakfast. Owning a house had always been a dream she had shared with her husband, and now that he is gone she nurtures this dream even more powerfully. How much is a biblical shekel of silver worth in us dollars? What, if any of the family's current conflicts has the issue of the insurance money caused? Choosing the Correct Form and Use of Who and Whom. on 2-49 accounts, Save 30% -Visits to tell them that they do not want colored people in their neighborhood and offers to buy them out. A2S3 How do you know that Ruth and Walter have been getting along better for the past day or two? Mamas recitation shows that she, while perhaps not as interested in her African heritage as Beneatha, is willing to make an effort in order to make her guest feel at home. This is the beginning of the "inciting incident," and now the action and emotional mood will begin to rise to its crisis or climax. A1S2 What goes on during house cleaning at the Youngers? 16. Already a member? -Walter says he's depressed. Later, Beneatha will put these robes on and become a "Nigerian Princess," symbolizing her acceptance of her heritage. Read more about the value and purpose of dreams as a theme. Why does Hansberry give Beneatha two boyfriends? She sees herself as a non-conformist, but Asagai makes her face the fact that she is not living up to her own ideal. What do you think some of the deeper reasons for the conflict might be? -Need to decide if she is going to keep the baby or not. What decisions does she need to make? -Mama is very happy and says nice things about it 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. How does Walter plan to use the insurance money? 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. The issue of the money has caused none of the family's conflicts. Describe Walter's relationship with Ruth in A Raisin in the Sun. At the beginning of the eighteenth century, the British gained control over the slave trade there. Walter returns home and wants to talk about his liquor store plans. A Rasin in the Sun Test Study Guide Flashcards | Quizlet A2S1 How does Walter insult George? Hansberry's stage direction may also reflect something of her own beliefs. Mama apparently donates money to missionary causes, while Beneatha believes that American and European missionaries do more harm than good in Africa. What are the qualities of an accurate map? Mr. Asagai, I am looking for my identity Asagai repeats Beneatha's words to her, poking fun at her desperation to connect with her African heritage. 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. Asagai hints at what is to come by telling Beneatha that by straightening her hair she is mutilating it. A3S1 What choices do the Youngers have, now that the money is gone? The bureau is the taller piece of bedroom furniture, containing only drawer space for clothing. The free trial period is the first 7 days of your subscription. Does Mama agree? Beneatha's soft acceptance of this assessment of herself shows that she does indeed see herself in this light. -Mama is being fair because he is wasting away his life 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. -Asa makes a better argument and just wants Bennie to be who she really is. he ringing of the doorbell signifies that the check has finally arrived. Please wait while we process your payment. How does he react when confronted? Mama is upset when she realizes that Ruth is contemplating an abortion. Purchasing -She doesn't believe in God Read an in-depth analysis of Lena Mama Younger. to start your free trial of SparkNotes Plus. The fact that she later gets her hair cut shows that she recognizes that she had indeed been conforming to the ideas around her. -Based on where there are in life now, that will most likely never happen. Mama's generation worked hard so that their children could have a "better life," which, to her, meant a life without segregation. Read an in-depth analysis of Ruth Younger. What is wrong with reporter Susan Raff's arm on WFSB news? 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. This kept Ruth emotionally wound up and worried. Earlier in the play, Ruth was stressed about the knowledge that she was pregnant. Mama also imagines a garden that she can tend along with her dream house. What do you think Walter will do now? bookmarked pages associated with this title. In most cultures, the arrival of a child is a blessed, wonderful thing, the continuation of the culture into the next generation. -Walter gets upset because he wants Travis to have/be something more in life. -A gardening hat As a playwright, Hansberry must develop characters through dialogue because there is no narration that can do it for her. In this conversation, Mama represents a colonial/imperialist view of Africans as savages who need to be "saved" and "civilized." While Travis gets ready in the communal bathroom, Ruth and Walter talk in the kitchen. They do not seem happy, yet they engage in some light humor. They keep mentioning a check. Walter scans the front page of the newspaper and reads that another bomb was set off, and Ruth responds with indifference. In contrast, Walter is quiet and visibly disappointed because the news means he no longer has a chance to achieve his dream. $18.74/subscription + tax, Save 25% What time does normal church end on Sunday? Latest answer posted March 15, 2021 at 10:48:00 AM. Consider her body language upon hearing the news: She laughs joyously, having practically destroyed the apartment, and flings her arms up and lets them come down happily, slowly, reflectively, over her abdomen, aware for the first time perhaps that the life therein pulses with happiness and not despair. How does this fit Walter's character? When does Walter change his mind? She knew there was no real room for another person in the apartment and that finances were What does Mama's confusion show?