A3S1 What does Asagai propose that Beneatha do? Note his body language in this scene and how it compares to Ruths. A2S2 What is Walter's dream for the future? 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. 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. Hansberry uses this allusion to emphasize Mama's need to keep the appearance of a nice home. 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 is Mama's reaction to the gift different from the way the others react? Explain Beneatha's argument with her mother about God in A Raisin in the Sun. Beneatha argues that the money belongs to Mama and that Mama has the right to decide how it is spent. Why is Ruth upset by Travis's talk of the rat? The Youngers Saturday morning ritual of cleaning the apartment shows the pride that the family takes in maintaining its home. 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! The Book of Ruth Character Analysis | SuperSummary Ruths pregnancy is immediately coupled with economic concerns. A1S1 When family members argue, the reasons may be more complex than they at first appear. The insurance check prompts intra-family conflict, as arguments about money quickly become larger struggles concerning personal identity, personal dreams, and family dynamics. Ruth and Walter? A1S2 Why has everyone been waiting for the mailman's arrival? What does the following statement by Beneatha's foreshadow? Did you know you can highlight text to take a note? Raisin In the Sun Study Guide- Act I Scene Two Flashcards Sometimes it can end up there. Beneatha struggles against any reference to being subservient, which is often the cause of her conflict with the rest of the family. Ruth and Beneatha? Beneatha contends that, for that very reason, any further relationship is pointless, as Georges family wouldnt approve of her anyway. Find related themes, quotes, symbols, characters, and more. -He is not as excited as the others 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. A Raisin in the Sun Comprehension Questions.odt - A Raisin (one code per order). -He doesn't support her dreams/ideas and just uses her as a sort of trophy. BENEATHA: It is my businesswhere is he going to live, on the roof? -insurance money from her husband's death. How does Hansberry use it in this scene? What Rat Empathy May Reveal About Human Compassion | WIRED With the nickname, Asagai acknowledges and celebrates Beneathas aspirations and desire for something more than just the basics, whether in love or life, which she deeply appreciates. Complete your free account to request a guide. One for Whom Bread Food Is Not Enough Asagai gives Beneatha the Nigerian name "Alaiyo," which he translates roughly as: "One for whom bread food is not enough," meaning that his perception of Beneatha is that she is a totally developed person, both intellectually and spiritually, and that she demands answers to all of life's questions. Especially given her condition, as she is expecting again, she was despairing of how to bring up another child in such a location but also provide for it. 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. She is at the center of her familys life, and she controls many of the interactions of the members of her household. 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. Ruth gets up first and after some noticeable difficulty, rouses Travis and Walter as she makes breakfast. 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. For her, their present abode is a source of oppression for them and is a great stress. Nigeria finally became independent and a member of the British Commonwealth of Nations, and, in 1963, it became a republic. A1S2 How does Beneatha feel about the church? -Bennie joking about Tarzan and with Asagai. -She buys curtains Ruth and Beneatha, part of a younger generation of women, differ from Mama in their reactions to the news. However, Walter is unable to rise to the challenge, dejected as he is by Mamas refusal to support his dreams. WebMama is upset when she realizes that Ruth is contemplating an abortion. By entering your email address you agree to receive emails from SparkNotes and verify that you are over the age of 13. She expresses sympathy for her grandson, Travis, while she questions Ruths ability to care for him properly. WebNaomi then explained what Ruth was to do: she was to wash herself, anoint herself, and change her clothes. -$6500 gone. It is infested with cockroaches and there is not enough room for them all. What decisions does she need to make? Mira el retrato (portrait) del nio y lee el prrafo. 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. For Ruth, Mamas announcement that she has bought a house is one of the first bursts of optimism in a long time. Did you know you can highlight text to take a note? 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. Once upon a time freedom used to be lifenow its money. Finally, the check arrives. Act II Scene 1. What do you think will happen to Ruth? For him, Mamas news does not represent a hopeful future, but betrayal. Which one? A2S1 Why does Ruth's excitement about the new house begin to fade when she discovers its location? What do you think some of the deeper reasons for the conflict might be? A1S1 Who is George Murchison and how do Beneatha, Ruth, and Mama feel about him? Beneatha's anger is definitely covering a feeling of sadness toward even this small assimilation into white American life. While Travis gets ready in the communal bathroom, Ruth and Walter A3S1 What choices do the Youngers have, now that the money is gone? How does the piece of paper that arrives affect each member of the family? Why does Beneatha want to become a doctor? 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. 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. A3S1 Why does Beneatha attack Asagai's dream about Africa? 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 also get updates on new titles we publish and the ability to save highlights and notes. Why did Mama choose this location? 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. - There is a mix of happy, excited, and curious to see what's next. Detailed explanations, analysis, and citation info for every important quote on LitCharts. (object of a preposition). She knows that Mama believes in giving money to her church for the missionary work, but the Africans, she says, "need more salvation from the British and the French," who were the dominant colonial rulers at that time. A2S2 How does Ruth find out that Walter has not been showing up for work? What does Mama's confusion show? Mama implores Walter to honor his fathers memory and take pride in his own manhood by convincing Ruth to not have an abortion. Circle the correct form 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. Definitions and examples of 136 literary terms and devices. A1S2 Why does Mama tell Walter that he is a disgrace to his father's memory? What is Ruth's view of what they should do? From his perspective, he enters the apartment excited about the money, and is dismissed and treated like a child. She thinks that if Mama gives him some of the money he might regain his happiness and confidence, which are two things Ruth feels she can no longer provide for Walter. She knew there was no real room for another person in the apartment and that finances were extremely tight. 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. Walter, in contrast, and others of his generation, take that particular "freedom" for granted. To those of Mama's generation, it should have been enough that Walter Lee's generation can ride at the front of a bus. Mama, though, feels morally repulsed by the idea of getting into the liquor business. Who makes the plaid blue coat Jesse stone wears in Sea Change? Subscribe now. Beneatha easily gets worked up into a fury, and when angry, says things she does not actually mean, just as she did in Scene 1 with the comment about salt losing its savor. -Everyone starts freaking out and Mama starts hitting Walter The following morning, Saturday, is the day that the check is expected to arrive. Putnam admits that she sent Ruth to Tituba. Yet while she wants to break free of conforming to the white ideal, she still wants to acclimate herself to an educated American life. - Because she tries to make an intellectual comment about many African Americans ignorance Hansberry's stage direction may also reflect something of her own beliefs. Joseph Asagai brings Beneatha a gift of African records and some Nigerian robes. TO CANCEL YOUR SUBSCRIPTION AND AVOID BEING CHARGED, YOU MUST CANCEL BEFORE THE END OF THE FREE TRIAL PERIOD. Use up and down arrows to review and enter to select. Some commentators believe that Naomi was instructing Ruth to be A2S2 What does Travis want to be when he grows up? -He says it's not her because if her father was still around they wouldn't have that money at all. What does the following statement by Beneatha reveal about her character? -Based on how unsafe their area is and how young he is, he deserves a punishment so he won't do it again. -Lots of emotions at once. A1S2 How do the various family members use humor to reduce the stressfulness of their situation? In A Raisin in the Sun, explain George's reference to Prometheus. What time does normal church end on Sunday? How is it like Mama's childrenand Mama herself? A dresser, in contrast, is a short piece of bedroom furniture that has drawer space, a large mirror, and a small stool or chair where one might sit in order to put on makeup. Walter, however, wants more for himself and his family. Regan wanted her career to be _____________ until she narrowed her interests, so she refused to sign the indefeasible contract to be a doctor for the Navy. Teach your students to analyze literature like LitCharts does. A+ Student Essay: The Role of Money in the Play, Lorraine Hansberry and A Raisin in the Sun Background. We also learn that Walter is "restless," dissatisfied with his current life, and feeling as if the people he loves, and who are supposed to love him, do not understand him, rarely even giving him the chance to speak. -Ruth is annoyed and keeps on telling him to stop A2S3 Who is Mr. Lindner? Purchasing -Bennie is going on about she doesn't believe in God. Why does he say that the money Walter gave away wasn't hers? From what you have seen so far, how would you describe the relationship between Ruth and Travis? -Ruth talks happily about him and how they have been holding hands Through these reactions, it can be gathered that Beneatha is spoiled: she has no qualms about hurting her family's feelings when she is angry. Get Annual Plans at a discount when you buy 2 or more! What does her purchase show about her personality? If a white person boarded the bus and a black person was seated in the front, the black person knew, almost instinctively, that he had to get up in deference to the white person who needed that seat. For once, Ruth seems to be on Walters side. (She exits in a breathless blaze of glory )This statement is the turning point for Beneatha, showing that she has fully accepted her African heritage. (Even in the northern cities, vestiges of segregation were apparent.) 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. Beneatha claims that she is trying to express herself, an idea at which Ruth and Mama have a laugh. Her dream of a house and a better life for her family remains tenuous because it is so hard for her to see beyond her familys present situation. -To tell him why she wants to be a doctor (something she once cared about). They do not seem happy, yet they engage in some light humor. Why does she choose this moment to talk about it? Tudo Sobre Ansiedade - Home Is Brooke shields related to willow shields? Ruth brings herself closer to her child, while Walter isolates himself in the other roomliterally and figuratively shutting his mother out. -Punishment is a whipping Mama tries so hard to impress Beneatha's Nigerian friend that her remarks are almost comical, clearly not her intent. Once again, we see how protective Mama is of her family. Walter then leaves for his job as a chauffeurhe has to ask Ruth for money to get to work because the money he gave Travis was his car fare. Suddenly, there is a commotion in the street, and. Mama, outraged at such a pronouncement, asserts that she is head of the household and that there will be no such thoughts expressed in her home. The issue of the money has caused none of the family's conflicts. Free trial is available to new customers only. Walter explains that his work as a white mans chauffeur is emasculating and limits his hopes for a better future. What is the significance of the discussion between Mama and Beneatha about Africa? Ruth's pregnancy would still add a burden to the family. Struggling with distance learning? We can see from this quote that, although the new house represented a hope and future to Ruth, to Walter it represents the way that his dreams and hopes have been squashed. A1S2 What goes on during house cleaning at the Youngers? creating and saving your own notes as you read. What are the surface reasons for the arguments between Walter and Ruth? In most cultures, the arrival of a child is a blessed, wonderful thing, the continuation of the culture into the next generation. Because of this exclusion, Walters dreams of money and success in business become inextricably linked to his image of himself as a man. There is an issue that needs to be discussedRuth's pregnancybut Walter does not know that there is an issue. Both interpretations seem valid. A2S1 How can you tell that there are problems in Walter and Ruth's marriage? You may cancel your subscription on your Subscription and Billing page or contact Customer Support at custserv@bn.com. 1. in secticide 2. in tellectual 3. missionary 4. dejection 5. suppress 6. mutilate 7. -Mama is being fair because he is wasting away his life Mama sees an abortion as inconceivable for a number of reasons: first there are her religious Latest answer posted December 17, 2020 at 11:09:16 AM. She sees herself as a non-conformist, but Asagai makes her face the fact that she is not living up to her own ideal. $24.99 We're sorry, SparkNotes Plus isn't available in your country. When does Walter change his mind? Another issue that arises is that of Walter's manhood: how he defines it and how his mother defines it. This little scene may seem insignificant, but it develops Mama's character. The original text plus a side-by-side modern translation of. Should she? Finally, while she seems to understand Ruth's despair, she does not condone her action. -Going sledding down steep stairs when it snowed and one time a kid splitting his face open A2S3 How do you know that Ruth and Walter have been getting along better for the past day or two? When Asagai says goodbye, he calls Beneatha by a nickname, Alaiyo. He explains that it is a word from his African tribal language, roughly translated to mean One for Whom BreadFoodIs Not Enough. He leaves, having charmed both women. From a dramatic standpoint, the check's arrival instigates the point of crisis in the play. 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. Although the Younger family seems alienated from white middle-class culture, they harbor the same materialistic dreams as the rest of American society. Before Asagai's arrival at the Younger apartment, Beneatha sternly admonishes her mother not to say anything embarrassingly naive or patronizing about Africa. 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.

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