Also, embarrasses Walter Lee because he is uneducated and doesn't understand the allusion. Save over 50% with a SparkNotes PLUS Annual Plan! Walter then becomes belligerent as he makes fun of Georges white shoes. Ruth finds Beneathas pageantry silly and questions her about it. 20% Embarrassed, Ruth explains that the white shoes are part of the college style. George obviously looks down on Waltercalling him Prometheusand Walter gets even angrier at him. He also says that Beneatha is a bit too "moody" and artistic; he tells her that he didn't ask her to go on a date with him to discuss her "thoughts.". missionary work However, after the death of Askia, the Songhai Empire weakened and was finally conquered by neighboring enemies. 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. Thirty pieces and a not a coin less!: of 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. Racial bigotry in a raisin in the sun - See discussions, stats, and . The first Songhai king, Sunni Ali, destroyed much of Timbuktu, but his successor, Askia, rebuilt this ancient city of learning. She feels she needs to buy the house to hold the family together. Finally, in this scene, Hansberry makes an emphatic statement about integration. 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. He talks to Travis about his plans, saying that he is going to make a transaction that will make them rich. refers to the character "Madame Butterfly" The original text plus a side-by-side modern translation of. You'll also receive an email with the link. Mrs. Miniver by Jan Struther, the film Act 2, Scene 2 Walters dreams revolve around wealth; they center on obtaining money itself and are likewise unachievable without money. 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. Why do the Youngers decide to go through with the move? Caucasus, where his liver was torn out every day by an eagle but grew back each night. empire by conquering most of southern 7), F. Period 4 1800 - 1848 Amsco Note Taking Guide (Ch. Read more about Beneathas hair as a symbol. A Raisin in the Sun by Lorraine Hansberry is about living the "American Dream". Butterfly than a Nigerian; the allusion "My students can't get enough of your charts and their results have gone through the roof." a descendant of Chaka Chaka, also known as Shaka, or Shaka Zulu, was an early nineteenth century African warrior-king who implemented warfare techniques and weaponry which have been studied and adopted by military leaders and personnel worldwide ever since Shaka's time. If you don't see it, please check your spam folder. From the creators of SparkNotes, something better. Instant PDF downloads. Complete your free account to access notes and highlights. SparkNotes Plus subscription is $4.99/month or $24.99/year as selected above. 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. Georges admission that his interest in Beneatha is only skin-deepthat he likes her looks but doesn't care about her thoughtsflies in the face of Beneathas personal pride and sense of self. Uncharacteristically, Walter embraces his African heritage, but only in a fleeting moment of fantasy. Therefore, although she means only to find the best for her family, she also succumbs to the powerful materialism that drives the desires of the society around her. ''A Raisin in the Sun'' Act 2 Summary & Analysis - Study.com Teachers and parents! Prometheus As noted later in the character analysis of Walter Lee Younger, George Murchison's reference to Prometheus fits Walter's fiery personality, along with several other parallels. 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. Menelik II initiated the modern age of Ethiopian development by defeating the Italians, who were trying to establish a protectorate over Ethiopia. can't say her opinion, then she's nothing. Prometheus' suffering lasted for thousands of years until Hercules killed the eagle and freed Prometheus. Mrs. Johnson criticizes the pride that Beneatha takes in her education, which Mrs. Johnson believes is excessive. 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. black people, Muslims, Jews, Catholics, Sadly, the people of Benin began to involve themselves in the lucrative Atlantic slave-trade selling captured rival prisoners to Europeans and Americans. (including. If his family is going to end up in a comfortable home, Would not have made it through AP Literature without the printable PDFs. He says that he feels depressed, despondent, and useless as the man of the family. Read Walters important speech to Travis. Mrs. Johnson views the Youngers pride as a negative quality, one that mistakenly allows them to see themselves as exceptional. Ku Klux Klan: a secret hate group Alludes to Greek mythology when Prometheus took fire from the gods and shared it with people. George is pedantic, showing off his knowledge, when he says to Walter (after he is safely half-out the door), "Good night, Prometheus.". 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 from each act of the book Raisin in the Sun School Best notes for high school - US Degree Standard Grade Junior Course English literature and composition Academic year2017/2018 Helpful? Definitions and examples of 136 literary terms and devices. Still, her desire is somewhat radical, because Black Americans were largely left out of depictions of the American dream during this period. Another allusion Hansberry uses talks about Adam and Eve. Yoruba to start your free trial of SparkNotes Plus. By the 1470s, Songhai had become the largest and richest country in Africa, boasting the city of Timbuktu, which was the center of learning and trade for the Muslim world. Therefore, Hansberry performs a radical act in claiming the general American dream for Black Americans. Teach your students to analyze literature like LitCharts does. Your group members can use the joining link below to redeem their group membership. 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. Allusions/Essential Terms in A Raisin in the Sun. As I read through A Raisin in the Sun again, I found a decent amount of allusions to the Bible. Bantu is the largest language family and Swahili (which consists of Bantu and Arabic) is the most widely spoken. (including. The most recent editions (the complete version) of Raisin includes this character, as did the American Playhouse presentation of this play. 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. Also, Ruth reveals her lack of knowledge about things African as she questions Beneatha about the Nigerian outfit and dance. Period 5 1844 - 1877 Amsco Note Taking Guide (Ch. 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! PDF downloads of all 1699 LitCharts literature guides, and of every new one we publish. 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. Refine any search. This shows that her desire to get an abortion was entirely the product of the family's poverty, not a personal choice. Everyone has something different they hope to do with the money so that they can fulfill their dreams. George Murchison - CliffsNotes For much of its history, Ethiopia was known as Abyssinia. The British attack on Benin, ironically, was initially to retaliate for the killing of nine European travelers. Removing #book# creating and saving your own notes as you read. 1. 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). Ruth is elated to hear this news because she too dreams of moving out of their current apartment and into a more respectable home. Complete your free account to request a guide. 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. This also marks a change in Mama, brought about by the harm she sees that she has done to Walter. She means that black people have to face discrimination everywhere, even in their own community. With this money, Mama says, Walter should becomeand should act like he has becomethe head of the family. He knows who he is because he is African. 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. Ruth is apprehensive, almost frightened, when she hears that the new house is located in the all-white neighborhood of Clybourne Park. George Murchison arrives to pick up Beneatha. . Definitions and examples of 136 literary terms and devices. Because of their strong philosophical differences, any marriage between these two is destined to fail. The lion is waking This phrase refers to all of the African countries that were beginning to demand their independence of colonial rule. Complete your free account to request a guide. She also prides herself on the fact that the family will own its home, however humble it may be. Share your findings with the class. wards to talk to the other man) Shrewd move. How Does Alan Moore Use Allusions In V For Vendetta | ipl.org Mama's unending devotion to her small houseplant signifies her read analysis of Mama's Plant. 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 entering your email address you agree to receive emails from SparkNotes and verify that you are over the age of 13. 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 They're like having in-class notes for every discussion!, This is absolutely THE best teacher resource I have ever purchased. This scene portrays both George Murchison and Booker T. Washington as assimilationists, and Mama refers to them both as fools. While Mama calls George a fool only in response to Beneathas remark, her branding of Booker T. Washington with such an insult has profound historical and cultural implications. Ruth and Mama are shocked by Mrs. Johnsons shameless comments, which run counter to the Youngers deep sense of dignity. 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. Still, her warning to the Youngers was a reality in 1959, when this play opened, and, unfortunately, in some communities, even today. Allusions, serve several purposes in a work of literature. He must either take action now to make his dream a reality or just give up on his dream altogether. Wed love to have you back! Since the audience for this plays initial run was mostly white, such a threat to white dominance was extremely revolutionary. The possibility of achieving his dream reinvigorates Walter and permits him to regain his identity as a worthy husband and father. The free trial period is the first 7 days of your subscription. Mama tells Walter that the house will be a new beginning, a unifying force that can repair the familys bonds. And when Mrs. Johnson goes on to say that Washington "was one of our great men," Mama counters, almost angrily, with, "Who said so?" 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. Are you sure you want to remove #bookConfirmation# 20% Teacher Editions with classroom activities for all 1699 titles we cover. LitCharts Teacher Editions. A Raisin in the Sun. You'll also get updates on new titles we publish and the ability to save highlights and notes. . and any corresponding bookmarks? The debate does not continue and, at this point, Mrs. Johnson concedes by saying, "You know, me and you ain't never agreed about some things, Lena Younger. Lorraine Hansberry's A Raisin In The Sun - 948 Words | 123 Help Me may appear on any quiz! Later on the same Saturday, Beneatha emerges from her room cloaked in the Nigerian clothes that Asagai has brought her. Describe Walter's change in attitude toward Beneatha. 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. that she knows the Bible from an streetcar, Act 2, Scene 1 Hansberry makes it clear here that George and Beneatha are not compatible. groups. : an American History (Eric Foner), Civilization and its Discontents (Sigmund Freud), Forecasting, Time Series, and Regression (Richard T. O'Connell; Anne B. Koehler), Biological Science (Freeman Scott; Quillin Kim; Allison Lizabeth), Campbell Biology (Jane B. Reece; Lisa A. Urry; Michael L. Cain; Steven A. Wasserman; Peter V. Minorsky), Chemistry: The Central Science (Theodore E. Brown; H. Eugene H LeMay; Bruce E. Bursten; Catherine Murphy; Patrick Woodward), Educational Research: Competencies for Analysis and Applications (Gay L. R.; Mills Geoffrey E.; Airasian Peter W.), Allusions from each act of the book Raisin in the Sun, Reference sheet - misplaced dangling modifiers. Act I Scene 2, Next 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. According to Beneatha, George denies his heritage and thus sacrifices his pride. the nature of quiet desperation The complete quotation to which George refers is "The mass of men lead lives of quiet desperation," a line from Thoreau's Walden. He gets into a heated debate with her over the history and heritage of black people, all of which he belittles as insignificant, and then he antagonizes Walter by dismissing Walter's attempts to discuss his "big" business plans with him. as salt" Beneatha counters with a [Y]our daddys gonna make a . Motivate students to complete assigned readings with A Raisin in the Sun quizzes. Ashanti, Benin, Bantu: Ashanti people TO CANCEL YOUR SUBSCRIPTION AND AVOID BEING CHARGED, YOU MUST CANCEL BEFORE THE END OF THE FREE TRIAL PERIOD. Known mainly for his founding of Tuskegee Institute, Washington believed that blacks should be educated only by trade schools. Beneathas two suitors embody this dichotomy between the conflicting identities available to Black people: the identity that seeks assimilation and the identity that rejects assimilation. Songhai (Songhay) The Sunni dynastry of Songbai conquered Mali after Mali had progressively grown weaker with its line of ineffective kings. But, of all the superior works of art that came out of Africa, the most remarkable were those found in Benin. Your. If the salt loses its savor: Context- A Raisin in the Sun: Act 2, Scene 2 Summary & Analysis Next Act 2, Scene 3 Themes and Colors Key Summary Analysis On a Friday night a few weeks later, George and Beneatha enter the apartment after a date. You'll be billed after your free trial ends. Monsieur le petit bourgeois noir Ruthrejoices, but Walter feels betrayed, his dream swept under the table. Get Annual Plans at a discount when you buy 2 or more! Creating notes and highlights requires a free LitCharts account. Ethiopia References to Ethiopia can be found in the Bible and in the writings of Herodotus and Homer. (one code per order). George is pedantic an academic show-off constantly making literary allusions even when he knows that this information is lost upon his audience.