Each reading quiz contains ten multiple choice questions; they are quick to administer and score.A Raisin in the Sun Quizzes schedule:Reading 1: Act IReading 2: Act IIReading 3: Act IIIA list of questions by scene is also included. The possibility of achieving his dream reinvigorates Walter and permits him to regain his identity as a worthy husband and father. Ashanti, Benin, Bantu: Ashanti people Walter then employs the phrase to illustrate how women keep men from achieving their goalsevery time a man gets excited about something, This symbol signifies Beneatha's anti-assimilationist beliefs as well as her desire to shape her identity by looking back to her roots in Africa., Mama decides to . Find related themes, quotes, symbols, characters, and more. Du Bois, who believed in the importance of artistic endeavors (which Washington believed to be a frivolous activity). The lion is waking This phrase refers to all of the African countries that were beginning to demand their independence of colonial rule. In Walters eyes, the new house symbolizes the continued deferment of his dream. After the death of her husband, Mama Younger receives a $10,000 life insurance. In his "Atlanta speech," Booker T. Washington urged blacks to cultivate friendly relations with white men. 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. Under his reign, roads were constructed, formal education and social services were instituted, and electricity was introduced. Subscribe now. He was crowned Emperor in 1930. The difference in their views about education displays a deeper divergence between the two, one of idealism versus pragmatism. After Mrs. Johnson leaves and Mama learns that Walter has not been to work in three days, she feels responsible for his despair ("I been doing to you what the rest of the world been doing to you"), so responsible, in fact, that she gives him $6500, all that's left of the insurance check after her downpayment of $3500 on the Clybourne Park house, so that he can feel that he is the "man of the house." Mama says this to Travis as she tells him about the house that she is planning to buy. A Raisin in the Sun Analysis. George wants to kiss Beneatha, but she does not want to kiss. TO CANCEL YOUR SUBSCRIPTION AND AVOID BEING CHARGED, YOU MUST CANCEL BEFORE THE END OF THE FREE TRIAL PERIOD. with things like money, possessions, and Period 4 1800 - 1848 Amsco Note Taking Guide (Ch. Hansberry has the comical character of Mrs. Johnson act as the defender of Booker T. Washington's philosophy, as she says, "I always thinks like Booker T. Washington said that time 'Education has spoiled many a good plow hand.'" His self-hatred manifests itself in his contemptuous attitude toward other blacks, especially toward less wealthy and less educated blacks like Walter. Removing #book# Packing crates, signifying the family's upcoming move, dot the room. simple . Detailed explanations, analysis, and citation info for every important quote on LitCharts. $24.99 She has come to visit to tell them about a Black family who has been bombed out of their home in a white neighborhood. resistance 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. 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.". and then adds that Beneatha is as "fresh The most dominant figure in recent Ethiopian history is Haile Selassie I, also known as "the Conquering Lion of the Tribe of Judah, the Elect of God, and King of Kings." 10), L. Period 5 1844 - 1877 Amsco Note Taking Guide (Ch. You just name it, son . who headed Tuskegee Institute, a college It means that Asagai is proposing to Beneatha, Beneatha tells Walter Lee he is a prophet leading them out of the wilderness. 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. 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. 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. pedantic response, a phrase from the Instead, she wants to engage George in a conversation about the plight of Black Americans. 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. PDFs of modern translations of every Shakespeare play and poem. LitCharts Teacher Editions. Mrs. Johnson says white folks in Chicago are acting like the ones in Mississippi. Our, "Sooo much more helpful thanSparkNotes. Instant downloads of all 1699 LitChart PDFs You'll be billed after your free trial ends. She means that black people have to face discrimination everywhere, even in their own community. Use up and down arrows to review and enter to select. If those men were not a part of the entertainment industry, they were either denizens of the underworld or full-fledged or potential gangsters. directions she is said to look more like Steel Walter cannot seem to stop, though, and the more he talks to Travis about his dream, the bigger the dream gets. Act II Scene 1, Next Also, embarrasses Walter Lee because he is uneducated and doesn't understand the allusion. Act II Scene 2, Mrs. Johnson (Mrs. Wilhelmina Othella Johnson). Chaka: he became chief of the Zulu clan It's also worth noting that he dreams of sending his son to college, though he mocks Beneatha's ambitions to get an education. 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. Opines that home alone ii and rapid fire were my only qualms about the play. fanning herself . At rise: RUTH is ironing again. 41 Comments Please sign inor registerto post comments. Although Asagai has received a Western-style education, as George Murchison has, Asagai does not have a problem of identity. What similarities and differences do you find? Ruth "affects" or "puts on" a tea party voice, purposely sounding pretentious . Colonel McCormick: owner and publisher This alludes to the slaves brought here from Africa. inspired by the former, founded in 1915 Complete your free account to request a guide. As a result, people within the black community often had negative perceptions about those who adopted this style. Bible Because her uncle, Leo Hansberry, was a professor of African history at Howard University and, perhaps, because one of his students was Kwame Nkrumah, who led Ghana to independence, Hansberry's major geographical focus here appears to be on the history of Ghana, known prior to its independence as "The Gold Coast." Act II Scene 3. Find related themes, quotes, symbols, characters, and more. Mrs. Johnson views the Youngers pride as a negative quality, one that mistakenly allows them to see themselves as exceptional. Though he attained great stature in the first half of the twentieth century, public opinion had turned against him by the late 1950s. The way the content is organized, LitCharts assigns a color and icon to each theme in, With her costume and music choice, Beneatha embraces her African heritage. George and his family, however, believe that they should become wealthy and perhaps achieve respect through their economic status, which demands a certain degree of assimilation into the dominant, white culture. (One of Washington's first staff appointments was Dr. George Washington Carver, whose brilliance in the field of agriculture is not as well documented as his "peanut" discoveries.) Yoruba Prometheus: In Greek mythology, a Titan . Contained in an early sixties song, subtitled "The Lion Sleeps Tonight," the word was made popular by Pete Seeger and the Weavers. 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. 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. 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." bookmarked pages associated with this title. $24.99 Drop the Garbo routine When George Murchison admonishes Beneatha to "drop the Garbo routine," he is telling her to know her "place" as a woman. Many Black peoplehad begun to reject assimilationist ideals, believing by this time that mainstream America would always mean white America and that assimilating into this culture would always mean degrading themselves to fit white societys perceptions of how Black peopleshould be and act. move on up a little higher: a song In Beneatha and Georges conversation, Hansberry reveals two sets of values regarding education. intellectual point of view but that she does, lead lives of quiet desperation." 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. Asagai says he wants to sweep the maiden (Beneatha) back across the middle passage. Her dream is a perfect example of the quintessential American dream. 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. She also prides herself on the fact that the family will own its home, however humble it may be. 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. Teacher Editions with classroom activities for all 1699 titles we cover. slop jars: a large pail used as a chamber Most blacks wanting to gain acceptance and possible wealth would have to throw off their African past and assimilate, as George has done, which includes deriding and belittling their African culture. Shaka Zulu incorporated into his own army the warriors from defeated tribes; he also established military towns in order to ensure that his armies were well provided for and excellently trained. 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. George is pedantic, showing off his knowledge, when he says to Walter (after he is safely half-out the door), "Good night, Prometheus.". Because this art received such worldwide attention, few wanted to believe that such magnificent artwork had been created by the Africans. Walter again has the chance to talk Ruth out of having an abortion, but he says nothing. Ruth finds Beneathas pageantry silly and questions her about it. Beneatha wants to pursue a degree in medical science. Central Idea Essay: Why Does Mama Want to Own Property? Although George suspects that Ruth has never been to the theater and certainly not a theater in another state he insists on giving Ruth unnecessary information about the difference between curtain times in Chicago and New York's theaters. Her pregnancy is no longer a burden, but instead signifies hope and expectation. Ghana, Mali, and Songhai were the three greatest of the many empires that flourished in West Africa, yet all that remains of these advanced civilizations of past great wealth and strength are relics of ruins and the tales of ancient travelers. The doorbell rings suddenly, and George Murchison arrives for his theater date with Beneatha. serve several purposes in a work of literature. Beneatha wants to become a doctor to be able to help people. In Timbuktu, men and boys (only) studied at its great university, utilizing to great advantage its many active libraries and books on history, medicine, astronomy, and poetry. Since the audience for this plays initial run was mostly white, such a threat to white dominance was extremely revolutionary. Struggling with distance learning? domination of a white man without Sometimes it can end up there. Act II Scene 1, Mrs. Johnson (Mrs. Wilhelmina Othella Johnson). Hansberry wrote her story in 1959. The scene opens a few weeks later, on a Friday night; packing crates fill the Younger apartment in preparation for the move. for a customized plan. Summary and Analysis shows how the life of an unassuming Gone With the Wind. 84 A RAISIN IN THE SUN. Walter wants to own his own business. manipulative southern belle who survives created, influenced, or formed the backdrop of the play (think 1950s Chicago) Dialogue - conversation between two or more people in the play Dialect - a particular form of a language . George proves to be as pedantic as Beneatha, peppering his arguments with literary allusions and oftentimes esoteric references for example, calling Walter "Prometheus." Allusions, serve several purposes in a work of literature. A Raisin in the Sun Allusions and Symbols, MvA Quiz General Info + Multiple Regression. Why does Mama buy a house in an all-white neighborhood? A Raisin in the Sun: Act 2, Scene 1 Summary & Analysis Next Act 2, Scene 2 Themes and Colors Key Summary Analysis That evening, Ruth is ironing and listening to the radio when Beneatha enters "grandly" from her bedroom, wearing the robes and headdress that Asagai gave her that morning. Please wait while we process your payment. Share your findings with the class. 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. It means that Beneatha has no faith in Walter Lee's Leadership, Lena says she saw a cockroach like Napoleon. bookmarked pages associated with this title. Historical Context - information about the period, the place, and the events that. He is overwhelmed and his sudden exuberance over this financial windfall leads him to share some of his many fantasies with Travis. Creating notes and highlights requires a free LitCharts account. Alludes to Greek mythology when Prometheus took fire from the gods and shared it with people. Using their new weapons to fight their rulers, they eventually created their own kingdoms in the coastal forests of West Africa, the most powerful of which was that of Benin (present-day Nigeria). Beneatha believes that society must be changed through self-knowledge and, thus, through consciousness and celebration of ones heritage. Mrs. Miniver by Jan Struther, the film Looking at old photographs of Nat King Cole, Sam Cooke, Little Richard, Chuck Berry, and other entertainers of that period, we see that they adopted this style. . . 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. This shows that her desire to get an abortion was entirely the product of the family's poverty, not a personal choice. 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. Mamas unending devotion to her small houseplant signifies her He says that he feels depressed, despondent, and useless as the man of the family. The reference was somewhat unsettling to colonial rulers of that day because of the suggested imagery of the fates of those caught in the presence of an awakening, ferocious lion. Tarzan Mamas feeble plant represents her familys deferred dreams for a better future, which have struggled to survive under the strain of life in Chicagos South Side. (one code per order). 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. segregation, and to work for the 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. T he poem's title is an allusion to Langston Hughes' poem "Harlem," which asks, "What happens to a dream deferred?" The . Teachers and parents! Uncle Tom: reference to Harriet Beecher Teach your students to analyze literature like LitCharts does. Then, as if it were an afterthought, Ruth says that she's "never been 'fraid of no crackers" even though her previous dialogue says otherwise. Mama, still smarting over Walter's previous accusation that she "butchered" his dream, decides to entrust Walter with the responsibility for the remaining money, stipulating that he first deposit $3,000 for Beneatha's education. She stipulates that $3000 is to go in a savings account for Beneatha's medical schooling, but it is not clear that he even hears Mama. George tells Beneatha that she is too much of an intellectual and that men don't like opinionated, liberated women. dramatic, mysterious; George calls Our, "Sooo much more helpful thanSparkNotes. Mama turns over the money. Alludes to Moses, who led his people out of the wilderness to the Promised Land. Menelik II is also responsible for relocating the capital at Addis Ababa and for modernizing the operation of government. intellectual point of view but that she does Lorraine Hansberry's father was a successful real estate businessman; apparently, the Murchison family of Raisin is equally successful, for Walter refers to the Murchisons' purchase of a big hotel on the "Drive." can't say her opinion, then she's nothing. You'll also receive an email with the link. Blacks began to "choose sides," debating constantly over who was right, and over which philosophy was actually in the best interest of black people. Kenyatta: Jomo Kenyatta, a Kenyan Motivate students to complete assigned readings with A Raisin in the Sun quizzes. She believes, as did many in the postWorld War II consumer culture, that, to some degree at least, ownership can provide happiness. Teachers and parents! Ruth is apprehensive, almost frightened, when she hears that the new house is located in the all-white neighborhood of Clybourne Park. Additionally, Beneatha celebrates her African heritage at the expense of her African-American identity, dismissing the good loud bluesan musical style that emerged from the African-American experienceas whitewashed assimilationist junk.. not believe in its religious messages. One way for them to escape this entrapment, though, seems to be through a reliance on each other. The three of them are shocked to see a white man. Beneatha uses George's weak attempts to change her personality as the excuse that she needs to end their relationship. Describes the roles of cedric young and walter lee younger in in the heat of the night. 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. Walter makes Mama feel guilty, saying that she has crushed his dream. Zip. Renew your subscription to regain access to all of our exclusive, ad-free study tools. pot or to receive waste water from a Means that you should forgive and forget about it when someone disappoints you. They're like having in-class notes for every discussion!, This is absolutely THE best teacher resource I have ever purchased. She dances around the apartment, claiming to be performing a tribal dance while shouting OCOMOGOSIAY and singing. Still others insisted that these works, found in Africa, had been the products of the European Renaissance. Continue to start your free trial. He thinks, void in our lives, and we attempt to fill it. the actors are excellent. two husbands and finally is matched in Mama asks for their understandingit was the only house that they could afford. Last updated by Aslan on 9/14/2014 2:37 PM . But Mama explains that a comparable house in a black neighborhood would cost twice as much. Ethiopia References to Ethiopia can be found in the Bible and in the writings of Herodotus and Homer. Presently BENEATHA'S bedroom door opens and RUTH'S mouth falls and she puts down the iron in fascination. George says, "Goodnight, Prometheus!" [Y]our daddys gonna make a . Act II, Scene 2: Questions and Answers . He knows who he is because he is African. Walter then becomes belligerent as he makes fun of Georges white shoes. Acd English I / Duryea-Lojko Name ____________________ Five years later, in 1935, after Selassie had offered his people a written constitution and educational and administrative reforms, Mussolini invaded Ethiopia and occupied the country until 1941, when the British forced the Italians out, and Haile Selassie returned to his throne. refers to the character "Madame Butterfly" . 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. an African costume; in the stage 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. Africa Discount, Discount Code Free trial is available to new customers only. George, in contrast, from his self-pride in his own familys success, sees a focus on African heritage as being juvenile. Black writers tend to side with W. E. B. Contact us PDF downloads of all 1699 LitCharts literature guides, and of every new one we publish. Dive into a thorough description and analysis of Act 1: Scene 1 and Act 1: Scene 2 of this production . 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. Because of their strong philosophical differences, any marriage between these two is destined to fail. Wed love to have you back! Purchasing It means that the white people in Chicago are being violent towards African Americans. The scene closes with Walters description to Travis of his materialistic fantasy about the futureWalter still wants to be a part of the culture that excludes him. 1 CHE101 - Summary Chemistry: The Central Science, Dr. Yost - Exam 1 Lecture Notes - Chapter 18, 1.1 Functions and Continuity full solutions. sharecroppers, Copyright 2023 StudeerSnel B.V., Keizersgracht 424, 1016 GC Amsterdam, KVK: 56829787, BTW: NL852321363B01, has a lot of allusions is an understatement. Although Walter's frustrations of establishing his own business appear to devour his hopes, his obsession with his dream restores his hope. Therefore, Hansberry performs a radical act in claiming the general American dream for Black Americans. How are glazing and cir similar and different? The "Drive" to which Walter refers is an expressway along a scenic stretch of land a large sprawling park or a river view; in whatever city, this would be expensive property. Youve successfully purchased a group discount. For Mama, the earlier events of the day, with the talk of abortion, signaled a low point for her family. 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. An opportunity for the family to escape the poverty comes when the family receive an 10,000 insurance check. If the salt loses it's savor Mr. Linder is "quiet-looking". Also, embarrasses Walter Lee because he is uneducated and doesn't understand the allusion. Your subscription will continue automatically once the free trial period is over. If you don't see it, please check your spam folder. Historical Context Essay: A Raisin in the Sun on the Brink of the 1960s, Literary Context Essay: Hansberry, Langston Hughes, & the Harlem Renaissance. from your Reading List will also remove any Walters communion with his African identity centers on regaining the lost status and majesty of African leaders, which was stolen from many African-Americans through the transatlantic slave trade. By signing up you agree to our terms and privacy policy. Beneatha uses the quote with streetcar, Act 2, Scene 1 This alludes to Napoleon Bonaparte, the French emperor who tried to take over Europe. Your. Renews March 10, 2023 In addition, Shaka Zulu revolutionized the existing Zulu weaponry by designing a short-handled stabbing spear, known as the "assegai." They all become worried when they hear that the house is in Clybourne Park, an entirely white neighborhood. Detailed explanations, analysis, and citation info for every important quote on LitCharts. 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. Washington believed strongly that artistic endeavors and intellectual pursuits were not in the best interest of black people trying to emerge from a long period of slavery. She compares, for example, the overt racism of the south at that time with the covert racism found in the north. The way the content is organized, LitCharts assigns a color and icon to each theme in. 2023 Course Hero, Inc. All rights reserved. How does Walter lose the insurance money? 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. If his family is going to end up in a comfortable home, Would not have made it through AP Literature without the printable PDFs.