| Timbuktu, once the center of learning, became a tiny desert town, important only because of its history. Hansberry creates a radical character in Beneatha, one who does not willingly submit to what she calls oppressive white culture. $18.74/subscription + tax, Save 25% A RAISIN IN THE SUN By: Lorraine Hansberry ACT II SCENE ONE Time: Later the same day. Are you sure you want to remove #bookConfirmation# missionary work Queen Makeda was so impressed with the wisdom of King Solomon that she visited him in Jerusalem, adopted his religion of Judaism and, upon the birth of their first child, who was a male, she crowned this child King of Ethiopia, an act which united the two nations. George uses his social standing to elevate himself above what he sees as the stigma of his racial identity (and acts like a stuck-up jerk in doing so). Walter explains that he has been wandering all day (often way into the country) and drinking all night (at a bar with a jazz duo that he loves). Definitions and examples of 136 literary terms and devices. Packing crates, signifying the family's upcoming move, dot the room. Submitted By. period and they also help to develop characterization, conflict, and theme. At rise: RUTH is ironing again. Walter believes that the insurance money Mama gives him can provide him with financial success and educational resources for his son, a priority he values more highly than his sisters goal of becoming a doctor. Struggling with distance learning? Mama feels guilty for his unhappiness and tells him that she has never done anything to hurt her children. in Puccini's Italian opera By signing up you agree to our terms and privacy policy. knowledge of the Bible by quoting a 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. -Graham S. At this point, Mrs. Johnson has clearly overstayed her welcome and appears to derive pleasure from filling the Younger household with fear. Also, embarrasses Walter Lee because he is uneducated and doesn't understand the allusion. Beneatha goes to change for the theater, and Walter talks to George about business plans. George is pedantic an academic show-off constantly making literary allusions even when he knows that this information is lost upon his audience. Tarzan Instant PDF downloads. A Raisin in the Sun - SparkNotes In this scene, another character is introduced, a neighbor, Mrs. Johnson. 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. politician involved in the country's creating and saving your own notes as you read. Beneatha uses George's weak attempts to change her personality as the excuse that she needs to end their relationship. Additionally, the story of the bombing draws attention to the very real dangers that accompany the familys move and the violent extent of Northern racism. Perhaps, because of such abuses by its kings, Mali, once one of the world's great trading nations, was eventually conquered by the neighboring kingdom of Songhai (Songhay). A Raisin in the Sun. Songhai (Songhay) The Sunni dynastry of Songbai conquered Mali after Mali had progressively grown weaker with its line of ineffective kings. The foreshadowing in A Raisin in the Sun functions to develop an atmosphere of uncertainty regarding the fate of the Younger family. All Questions and Answers | Q & A | GradeSaver Beneatha alludes to the KKK when Ms. Johnson is racist towards their own kind. Creating notes and highlights requires a free LitCharts account. In addition, this scene illustrates how difficult it is to be Walter Lee Younger without being bitter. How does Walter lose the insurance money? -Graham S. Walters fears about his worth as a man lead him to question Georges manhood. George tells Beneatha that she is too much of an intellectual and that men don't like opinionated, liberated women. 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. PDF downloads of all 1699 LitCharts literature guides, and of every new one we publish. 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. 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). 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. Find related themes, quotes, symbols, characters, and more. Mrs. Johnson contrasts Beneathas self-satisfaction with Walters disappointment with his work as a chauffeur, which she conversely tries to defend as an honorable profession. Georges obsessions seem similarhaving achieved wealth, he sees it as justifying his own sense of superiority. some Middle Eastern traders settled there, Ethiopian history cites Queen Makeda of Ethiopia and King Solomon as being the parents of Menelik I who, during his reign, founded the kingdom of Ethiopia in 10 B.C. Jesus emphasizes that we should do good to those who wrong us. Traditionally, "crackers" refers to bigoted whites, especially those living in Georgia; here, Ruth is using the term to derogatorily refer to all white racists. A Raisin in the Sun by Lorraine Hansberry is about living the "American Dream". Raisin in the Sun Allusions - Acd English I / Duryea-Lojko - StuDocu Although they clearly do not enjoy Mrs. Johnsons visits, they treat her kindly as a courtesy. Later on the same Saturday, Beneatha emerges from her room cloaked in the Nigerian clothes that Asagai has brought her. Our, "Sooo much more helpful thanSparkNotes. In addition, Shaka Zulu revolutionized the existing Zulu weaponry by designing a short-handled stabbing spear, known as the "assegai." Kenyatta: Jomo Kenyatta, a Kenyan Yoruba You may cancel your subscription on your Subscription and Billing page or contact Customer Support at custserv@bn.com. read analysis of Mamas Plant, Beneathas natural hair symbolizes her pride in her African heritage and her desire to explore her African roots. You'll be able to access your notes and highlights, make requests, and get updates on new titles. Hansberry makes it clear here that George and Beneatha are not compatible. 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 in order to supply the reader with historical background. Du Bois, who believed in the importance of artistic endeavors (which Washington believed to be a frivolous activity). groups. Subscribe now. 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.". A Raisin In The Sun Act 2 Study Guide Answers If you don't see it, please check your spam folder. Impact- Beneatha is saying that if she (one code per order). the best little combo in the world This phrase refers to the band of musicians that Walter admires in the Green Hat. fanning herself . 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. She seems to resent their desire to escape from the place where she herself lives. 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 . Because of their strong philosophical differences, any marriage between these two is destined to fail. 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. It means that George thinks Walter Lee is trying to take money from the rich, superior people to share it with the poor, inferior ones. Nonetheless, Ruth softly tries to resolve the couples issues, highlighting her dedication to her marriage and family. on 2-49 accounts, Save 30% He is overwhelmed and his sudden exuberance over this financial windfall leads him to share some of his many fantasies with Travis. nationalist movement Walter comes in, after having had a few too many drinks, and joins in Beneatha's ritualistic dance. quiet desperation: "the mass of men She named this child Ibn-alHakim, which means "son of the wise man," but he was popularly known as Menelik. intellectual point of view but that she does, lead lives of quiet desperation." The coastal people who had once been ruled by empires in the interior soon began to trade slaves and gold for firearms and ammunition since lances, spears, and arrows were no match against the rifles and cannons of the Arabs and Europeans. This alludes to Napoleon Bonaparte, the French emperor who tried to take over Europe. Act 1, Scene 2 With this money, Mama says, Walter should becomeand should act like he has becomethe head of the family. The radical nature of the Youngers desire to participate in the American dream does bring along some hardship. segregation, and to work for the Would not have made it through AP Literature without the printable PDFs. 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. and currently active across the U., A Raisin in the Sun Biblical Allusions by Christy Chohrach - Prezi 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. Mama is not moving to Clybourne Park because she wants to integrate a neighborhood; instead, she simply wants the best deal for her money. Mali's most well-known king, Mansa Musa, advanced his civilization to a point of such great wealth that when he made his pilgrimage to Mecca, he spent more than a hundred camel-loads of gold on his holy trip. Detailed quotes explanations with page numbers for every important quote on the site. While reading A Raisin In The Sun, various allusions appear throughout the play. 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. and I hand you the world! Mama takes a stance against Mrs. Johnsons defeatist brand of assimilation, standing up for her children and their dreams for a better future. Both Beneatha and George Murchison seem to be pedants, showing off their learning, but George is offensive when he flaunts his knowledge in order to insult and degrade others. 20% serve several purposes in a work of literature. Allusions create emphasis in the play, this allows the reader to understand and appreciate the text. What is an allusion in a raisin in the sun? - chroniclesdengen.com Later, Beneatha is surprised that Mama agrees with her decision about George, which indicates a softening of the tensions that had previously plagued their relationship. Renews March 10, 2023 Act II Scene 1 - CliffsNotes "My students can't get enough of your charts and their results have gone through the roof." 2023 Course Hero, Inc. All rights reserved. A Raisin in the Sun Allusions and Symbols, MvA Quiz General Info + Multiple Regression. for a customized plan. Walter suddenly becomes more confident and energized. LitCharts Teacher Editions. old man is all right, man. Menelik II initiated the modern age of Ethiopian development by defeating the Italians, who were trying to establish a protectorate over Ethiopia. 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. Beneatha believes that society must be changed through self-knowledge and, thus, through consciousness and celebration of ones heritage. The Youngers apartment is full of moving boxes. Teachers and parents! According to Beneatha, George denies his heritage and thus sacrifices his pride. SparkNotes Plus subscription is $4.99/month or $24.99/year as selected above. Why should you consider care needs be fore buying a garment? 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. 8), B. Mama's feeble plant represents her family's deferred dreams for a better future, which have struggled to survive under the strain of life in Chicago's South Side. How are glazing and cir similar and different? Your group members can use the joining link below to redeem their group membership. 10), L. Period 5 1844 - 1877 Amsco Note Taking Guide (Ch. A Raisin in the Sun: Act 1 Summary - Study.com Youve successfully purchased a group discount. This desire to join white culture, referred to as assimilationism, was a contentious issue for the Black community in the 1950s and 1960s. 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. Madame Butterfly: Beneatha is dressed in Complete your free account to access notes and highlights. A frustrated and angered Mama retaliates by calling him a fool. Mrs. Johnson leaves the apartment. The possibility of achieving his dream reinvigorates Walter and permits him to regain his identity as a worthy husband and father. He goes quickly to his bedroom, and Mama remains sitting and worrying. resistance He thinks, void in our lives, and we attempt to fill it. He must either take action now to make his dream a reality or just give up on his dream altogether. . How does Walter plan to use the insurance money? 1. Save over 50% with a SparkNotes PLUS Annual Plan! Allusions In A Raisin In The Sun. I guess I better be going . affecting tea party interest Because Ruth is overwhelmed by her own concerns (mainly, that she might be pregnant), she becomes annoyed and therefore sarcastic when Walter tries to involve her in his conversation about the lives of wealthy whites. the actors are excellent. Queen Makeda was known by many names: "Bilquis" to the ancient Moslems, "Black Minerva" and "Ethiopian Diana" to the Greeks, "Queen of Sheba" to King Solomon, and to her own people, she was "Makeda, the beautiful." not believe in its religious messages. Part of her dream is the simple desire for consumer goods. The dancing scene with Beneatha and Walter is difficult to interpret, as the drunken Walter seems to mock the African dances and practices, while Beneatha seems not to comprehend this mocking. Act II Scene 2 - CliffsNotes RUTH What have we got on tonight! 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. who was punished by Zeus for stealing. Mama turns over the money. The way the content is organized, Would not have made it through AP Literature without the printable PDFs. Most of all, he wants his son to have a better life than he has had and wants to provide him with the education he deserves. "My students can't get enough of your charts and their results have gone through the roof." In this play, the educated and wealthy George Murchison represents the black person whose own self-hatred manifests itself as contempt for other blacks. Read more about Beneathas hair as a symbol. Mama's Plant. The play "A Raisin in The Sun" by Loraine Hansberry is about an African-American family living in Chicago. from your Reading List will also remove any They continue to fight, as they put their own concerns before each others and before their marriage. . wards to talk to the other man) Shrewd move. Booker T. Washington: An Complete your free account to request a guide. Although Asagai has received a Western-style education, as George Murchison has, Asagai does not have a problem of identity. Act 2, Scene 3 Still others insisted that these works, found in Africa, had been the products of the European Renaissance. 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. especially in the South, directed against Presently BENEATHA'S bedroom door opens and RUTH'S mouth falls and she puts down the iron in fascination. Because of this, theysought an independent identity that would allow them to embrace and express their heritage and culture. The first Songhai king, Sunni Ali, destroyed much of Timbuktu, but his successor, Askia, rebuilt this ancient city of learning. Period 5 1844 - 1877 Amsco Note Taking Guide (Ch. Get Annual Plans at a discount when you buy 2 or more! Yet, often, circumstances are so difficult for them that they cannot even do that. Finally, in this scene, Hansberry makes an emphatic statement about integration. It means that the white people in Chicago are being violent towards African Americans. from your Reading List will also remove any Mrs. Johnson's intent is clearly to belittle the importance of the Youngers' getting away from the horrid conditions of their cramped apartment. She compares, for example, the overt racism of the south at that time with the covert racism found in the north. In Beneatha and Georges conversation, Hansberry reveals two sets of values regarding education. By 1180, however, a group of rival tribes united as the nation of Mali, ravaged Ghana, and put an end to its empire. Ethiopia References to Ethiopia can be found in the Bible and in the writings of Herodotus and Homer. The lion is waking This phrase refers to all of the African countries that were beginning to demand their independence of colonial rule. directions she is said to look more like Advancement of Colored People, is a civil George Murchison arrives to pick up Beneatha. streetcar, Act 2, Scene 1 void in our lives, and we attempt to fill it Ruth "affects" or "puts on" a tea party voice, purposely sounding pretentious . to start your free trial of SparkNotes Plus. Hansberry, herself, speaks through Mama, who dismisses Washington as a "fool." Menelik II is also responsible for relocating the capital at Addis Ababa and for modernizing the operation of government. 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.". Our, "Sooo much more helpful thanSparkNotes. Clearly, Hansherry uses her own family's livelihood as being the livelihood of the rich black family in Raisin. Walter's sudden intrusion into the dance is comical on the surface, but on a deeper level, Walter Lee appears somewhat tragic as he attempts to recapture his lost African past. Zip. First, the phrase "30 pieces and not . 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. They're like having in-class notes for every discussion!, This is absolutely THE best teacher resource I have ever purchased. Hansberry's description of Walter as he chants to the African music with Beneatha includes a reference to Shaka Zulu, or Chaka: "On the table, very far gone, his eyes pure glass sheets. 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. Access Free A Raisin In The Sun Act 2 Study Guide Answers A Reader's Guide to Lorraine Hansberry's A Raisin in the Sun Raisin Presents a critique and analysis of "A Raisin in the Acd English I / Duryea-Lojko Name ____________________ The "Mrs. Johnson" character brings laughter to the scene, for she is a comical figure, but she also expresses sentiments that have always been prevalent in the black community. It seems that George wants to marry a nice . Alludes to Greek mythology when Prometheus took fire from the gods and shared it with people. 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. After Joseph Asagai refers to Beneathas Caucasian-style straightened hair as mutilated, Beneatha reevaluates the significance of her A Raisin in the Sun: Act 1, Scene 2 Summary & Analysis Liberia Lorraine Hansberry's A Raisin In The Sun - 948 Words | 123 Help Me However, after the death of Askia, the Songhai Empire weakened and was finally conquered by neighboring enemies. PDFs of modern translations of every Shakespeare play and poem. Walters dreams revolve around wealth; they center on obtaining money itself and are likewise unachievable without money. Teach your students to analyze literature like LitCharts does. Learn exactly what happened in this chapter, scene, or section of A Raisin in the Sun and what it means. Please wait while we process your payment. 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. A Raisin in the Sun: Act 2, Scene 2 Summary & Analysis Sometimes it can end up there. Act II Scene 3. He needs the dream to be his ownhe needs to be the one providing. Act 2 of A Raisin in the Sun has several themes. Dont have an account? Central Idea Essay: Why Does Mama Want to Own Property? Detailed quotes explanations with page numbers for every important quote on the site. manipulative southern belle who survives Instead, she wants to engage George in a conversation about the plight of Black Americans. Bantu is the largest language family and Swahili (which consists of Bantu and Arabic) is the most widely spoken. You can view our. Mrs. Johnson - historical Extremely hard working, he attended school at night. 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. 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. domination of a white man without 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. George proves to be as pedantic as Beneatha, peppering his arguments with literary allusions and oftentimes esoteric references for example, calling Walter "Prometheus." We're sorry, SparkNotes Plus isn't available in your country. Your group members can use the joining link below to redeem their group membership. in 1816 and founded the great Zulu March 3, 2023, SNPLUSROCKS20 Hansberry does not mention the slave trading aspect of West African history in this play; possibly she believed that this fact would be intentionally misinterpreted. ''A Raisin in the Sun'' Act 2 Summary & Analysis - Study.com Act I Scene 2, Next She values her mothers support, especially as it bears on her identity and self-worth as a woman. Act II, Scene i Summary: Act II, scene i Later on the same Saturday, Beneatha emerges from her room cloaked in the Nigerian clothes that Asagai has brought her. silver was the standard price of a slave Mr. Linder is "quiet-looking". Renews March 10, 2023 He suggested that blacks devote themselves to agriculture, mechanics, domestic service, and the professions placing more value on acquiring an industrial skill than on attaining a seat in Congress.