In this play, the educated and wealthy George Murchison represents the black person whose own self-hatred manifests itself as contempt for other blacks. Georges cynical response about the purpose of schooling, that it's really just a game to get the piece of paper that helps you go out in the world and make moneyruns counter to Beneathas idealistic belief in the transformative power of education. In addition, Shaka Zulu revolutionized the existing Zulu weaponry by designing a short-handled stabbing spear, known as the "assegai." He sees Beneatha all dressed up and acts out some made-up tribal rituals with her, at one point standing on a table and pronouncing himself Flaming Spear. Ruth looks on wearily. And after a little bit of reading in my own Bible, since I don't know enough about it to just assume, I found out what those allusions meant. Use up and down arrows to review and enter to select. Benin was the art produced in Africa George calls Walter Lee "Prometheus" in order to subtly insult Walter, but mainly to point out Walter's lack of learning. Read more about why Mama buys a house in an all-white neighborhood. 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. Georges reference to Prometheus, a Greek demigod who stole fire from Zeus, is intended to mock Walters grand business dreams and also to draw attention to Georges own knowledge (George is putting himself in the position of being the God). Gone With the Wind. Garbo: legendary actress of 1930s; Opines that home alone ii and rapid fire were my only qualms about the play. Mama tries to convince Walter to accept her dream and to recognize its value, but he cannot. You'll also get updates on new titles we publish and the ability to save highlights and notes. RUTH What have we got on tonight! It is then that we realize that Walter has reached a "point of no return." Yet, often, circumstances are so difficult for them that they cannot even do that. Extremely hard working, he attended school at night. 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? Still, her warning to the Youngers was a reality in 1959, when this play opened, and, unfortunately, in some communities, even today. Find related themes, quotes, symbols, characters, and more. PDF downloads of all 1699 LitCharts literature guides, and of every new one we publish. You'll also receive an email with the link. She has the radio going. 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.. Chaka: he became chief of the Zulu clan The difference in their views about education displays a deeper divergence between the two, one of idealism versus pragmatism. His self-hatred manifests itself in his contemptuous attitude toward other blacks, especially toward less wealthy and less educated blacks like Walter. Act 3 politician involved in the country's One instance includes Beneatha speaking to Walter, Mama, and Ruth, saying, "George Murchison! Mama takes a stance against Mrs. Johnsons defeatist brand of assimilation, standing up for her children and their dreams for a better future. Asagai says he wants to sweep the maiden (Beneatha) back across the middle passage. Motivate students to complete assigned readings with A Raisin in the Sun quizzes. A Raisin in the Sun. Owimoweh "Owimoweh" is the title of an African chant, referring to the waking of the lion. Mamas explains that her choice of neighborhood was financial, but, as evidenced by her reluctance to sharing this detail with Ruth and Walter, she clearly has some concerns about the situation. How has the atmosphere in the Younger apartment changed since the first scene? Dont have an account? Ruth cannot contain her happiness at the thought of their finally being able to move out of the overcrowded apartment. Stowe's book; black man who accepts the Beneatha removes her headdress to reveal that she has cut off most of her hair, leaving only an unstraightened afro. Discount, Discount Code serve several purposes in a work of literature. Did you know you can highlight text to take a note? 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." Walters irresponsible behavior displays the extremely detrimental effect that the deferral of his dream has had on him. TO CANCEL YOUR SUBSCRIPTION AND AVOID BEING CHARGED, YOU MUST CANCEL BEFORE THE END OF THE FREE TRIAL PERIOD. 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. They ground the work in a specific time Ethiopia References to Ethiopia can be found in the Bible and in the writings of Herodotus and Homer. Although she is dressed like a Nigerian woman, she begins to dramatically fan herself in order to accentuate her outfit, but she inadvertently loses the African look and appears more Asian, looking as though she's Madame Butterfly instead of African royalty. Our, "Sooo much more helpful thanSparkNotes. You'll also receive an email with the link. Mrs. Johnson's intent is clearly to belittle the importance of the Youngers' getting away from the horrid conditions of their cramped apartment. nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, especially in the South, directed against, Business Law: Text and Cases (Kenneth W. Clarkson; Roger LeRoy Miller; Frank B. With his insult to Ruth about African-American women, Walter attempts to blame his own failings and insecurities on the women who surround him. touched by World War II. 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. the best little combo in the world This phrase refers to the band of musicians that Walter admires in the Green Hat. essay see discussions, stats, and author profiles for this publication at: have dream discrimination in lorraine raisin in the sun The act addresses themes of race, assimilation, dreams, gender, and money from the vantage points of the Youngers, an African American. When Beneatha reenters, dressed for her date with George, she is wearing a natural hairstyle. Instant PDF downloads. George tells Beneatha that she is too much of an intellectual and that men don't like opinionated, liberated women. He is overwhelmed and his sudden exuberance over this financial windfall leads him to share some of his many fantasies with Travis. Teacher Editions with classroom activities for all 1699 titles we cover. Ruth "affects" or "puts on" a tea party voice, purposely sounding pretentious . and currently active across the U., Walter's already exaggerated dreams, however, suddenly turn into an avalanche of pitiful prattle. Describe Walter's change in attitude toward Beneatha. The play "A Raisin in The Sun" by Loraine Hansberry is about an African-American family living in Chicago. prominent Chicago resident, Hereros of Southwest Africa: the Hereros Definitions and examples of 136 literary terms and devices. quiet desperation: "the mass of men 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. Beneatha goes to change for the theater, and Walter talks to George about business plans. As Beneatha dances in a robe that Asagai gives her, George deems her interest in her African roots absurd. washbowl or the contents of chamber George Murchison arrives to pick up Beneatha. Walters boss calls, telling Ruth that Walter has not been to work in three days. Georges obsessions seem similarhaving achieved wealth, he sees it as justifying his own sense of superiority. For much of its history, Ethiopia was known as Abyssinia. Read an analysis of Beneathas quote on assimilation. 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. How does Walter plan to use the insurance money? This alludes to the slaves brought here from Africa. He needs the dream to be his ownhe needs to be the one providing. Alludes to Moses, who led his people out of the wilderness to the Promised Land. 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. Complete your free account to request a guide. Indeed, in the episode with Mrs. Johnson, it becomes clear that Mama agrees with Beneatha far more than one might expect. An opportunity for the family to escape the poverty comes when the family receive an 10,000 insurance check. Lorraine Hansberry's A Raisin in the Sun provides a compelling and honest look into one family's aspiration to move to another Chicago neighborhood and the thunderous crash of a reality that African Americans faced when attempting to do so. Mrs. Johnsons imagined headline gives voice to the Youngers own worst fears about the outcome of their move, and also imply that Mrs. Johnson doesn't want to see the Youngers thrive or do well in a way she herself isn't. He thinks, void in our lives, and we attempt to fill it. Continue to start your free trial. 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. From the creators of SparkNotes, something better. Many times though, men within the criminal element in the black community also wore their hair in this "conked" style when the style became a symbol of affluence. Mamas unending devotion to her small houseplant signifies her Please wait while we process your payment. It means that Asagai is proposing to Beneatha, Beneatha tells Walter Lee he is a prophet leading them out of the wilderness. Want 100 or more? Creating notes and highlights requires a free LitCharts account. Instant downloads of all 1699 LitChart PDFs Detailed explanations, analysis, and citation info for every important quote on LitCharts. for a customized plan. A critical reading of A Raisin in the Sun offers students many opportunities to evaluate the shifting . Your. 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. . : 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. If the salt loses its savor: Context- A+ Student Essay: The Role of Money in the Play, Lorraine Hansberry and A Raisin in the Sun Background. I guess I better be going . In this play, Hansberry attempted, in her own small way, to educate the world about Africa through her drama about a poor black family living on Chicago's Southside. with things like money, possessions, and Mrs. Johnson's intent is clearly to belittle the importance of the Youngers' getting away from the horrid conditions of their cramped apartment. Get Annual Plans at a discount when you buy 2 or more! Describe germanic social customs regarding the family. queen of the Nile 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. Walters view of education seems to fall somewhere between Beneathas and Georges views. They all become worried when they hear that the house is in Clybourne Park, an entirely white neighborhood. Creating notes and highlights requires a free LitCharts account. nationalist movement 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. directions she is said to look more like Your subscription will continue automatically once the free trial period is over. Beneatha Greta Garbo because he thinks from Africa speak the language of Bantu, A Raisin In The Sun Allusion Analysis 652 Words | 3 Pages. George is pedantic an academic show-off constantly making literary allusions even when he knows that this information is lost upon his audience. 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. Note that Asagai calmly accepts whatever his fate might be and even becomes an inadvertent peacemaker when he diffuses Beneatha's vitriolic reaction to Walter's loss of the family's money. Attesting to Hansberry's preoccupation with the demise of such great African civilizations and her deep regret that there was a universal lack of knowledge of these ancient black kingdoms are her constant references to Africa in Raisin. In this scene, another character is introduced, a neighbor, Mrs. Johnson. There are many languages and tribes among the Bantu people thus, the Bantu are one of the many native African groups who speak one of the Bantu languages. Members will be prompted to log in or create an account to redeem their group membership. to start your free trial of SparkNotes Plus. misplaced value is the cause: We feel a She seems to resent their desire to escape from the place where she herself lives. Share your findings with the class. betterment of "people of color." W. E. You'll be able to access your notes and highlights, make requests, and get updates on new titles. As I read through A Raisin in the Sun again, I found a decent amount of allusions to the Bible. Colonialism (British and French) -Graham S. At this point, Mrs. Johnson has clearly overstayed her welcome and appears to derive pleasure from filling the Younger household with fear. But Mama explains that a comparable house in a black neighborhood would cost twice as much. Mama asks for their understandingit was the only house that they could afford. Although it is documented that as early as the first century B.C. Wed love to have you back! Despite Mrs. Johnson's meddling and overly familiar manner, Mama and Ruth keep a cool head and maintain their politeness, showing the pride that they take in their family and its reputation for hospitality. Allusions In A Raisin In The Sun. 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. Sometimes it can end up there. A Raisin in the Sun Study Guide Literary Elements: Be ready to identify examples that fit with the following terms. "Combo" is a synonym for "band." Historical Context Essay: A Raisin in the Sun on the Brink of the 1960s, Literary Context Essay: Hansberry, Langston Hughes, & the Harlem Renaissance.