Ruth | Commentary | John Currid | TGCBC - The Gospel Coalition Read more about the value and purpose of dreams as a theme. creating and saving your own notes as you read. Nigeria finally became independent and a member of the British Commonwealth of Nations, and, in 1963, it became a republic. For Ruth, Mamas announcement that she has bought a house is one of the first bursts of optimism in a long time. Ace your assignments with our guide to A Raisin in the Sun! -Visits to tell them that they do not want colored people in their neighborhood and offers to buy them out. -Graham S. Asagais comments about Beneathas hair make her question whether she is an Africanist or an assimilationist. -He is not as excited as the others This scene emphasizes the clash of cultures between the American-born black and the African. Everyone is worried about the check arriving safely because the check is the physical symbol of their freedom from their current life. SparkNotes Plus subscription is $4.99/month or $24.99/year as selected above. Both interpretations seem valid. for a customized plan. Get Annual Plans at a discount when you buy 2 or more! Mr. Asagai, I am looking for my identity Asagai repeats Beneatha's words to her, poking fun at her desperation to connect with her African heritage. When Asagai telephones for permission to drop by, Beneatha consents reluctantly because she knows that her mother would not want company to see the house in disarray. What is Beneatha's reaction? 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. This little scene may seem insignificant, but it develops Mama's character. -A gardening hat SparkNotes PLUS (including. After hanging up, Beneatha explains to Mama that the man she has spoken to on the phone is Joseph Asagai, an African intellectual whom Beneatha has met at school. Mama tries to help her relax. What do we learn about each from this incident? $24.99 She does so literally in this scene by holding the insurance check. Beneatha says that her hair was once like his, but that she finds it too raw that way. A2S2 Why does Beneatha tell Mama that George is a fool? The Nigerian robes symbolize African heritage. Are you sure you want to remove #bookConfirmation# She simply wants to do the best for the family that she already has. on 50-99 accounts. The issue of the check serves only to exacerbate the conflicts that already exist. How much is a biblical shekel of silver worth in us dollars? They keep mentioning a check. -She trusts him for the most part, but based on his past, she should not. She is experiencing a spiritual longing. Her relentless care for the plant represents her protection of her dream. - Shows that Mama cares about her children and doesn't want to embarrass them In most cultures, the arrival of a child is a blessed, wonderful thing, the continuation of the culture into the next generation. How does George react? -No, she is just trying to provide a safe and happy home for her family. In contrast, Walter is quiet and visibly disappointed because the news means he no longer has a chance to achieve his dream. Ruth does not want to have an abortion, but she considers it because she sees it as the only way to keep the family together. - He finally has made a good decision for his family (not just for himself) Hansberry uses similar minor interactions to develop the characters throughout the play. How is it like Mama's childrenand Mama herself? Many Black intellectuals and writers, especially in the 1960s, faced this dilemma; Beneathas character thus seems somewhat ahead of her time. Why? Why is Ruth upset by Travis's talk of the rat? Unsure of her identity as a Black woman joining an overwhelmingly white world, Beneatha turns to Asagai to see if he can supply a lost part of her self. April 30, 2023, SNPLUSROCKS20 As the two talk about their entrapping situation, Ruths reply of [e]at your eggs answers every statement that Walter offers, reflecting the stereotypical perception that Black peoplehave an inability to overcome problems. Furthermore, seeing themselves as Americans, some African Americans questioned why it was necessary to have extensive knowledge of Africa. Mama cannot understand why Walter Lee wants more from life than to sit anywhere he wants on public transportation. How does this contrast with her mother's feelings? Still, no matter how much Mama works, the plant remains feeble, because there is so little light. What does the check symbolize, from both a plot standpoint and a dramatic standpoint? 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! A2S2 What is Walter's dream for the future? Asagai sees Beneatha's haircut as an example of assimilationisman acceptance of white oppression and a rejection of her African heritage. It is clear that Beneatha and Asagai love each other, but there are hints of philosophical disagreement. Why does he come to see Walter? Dijo que la historia (concluir) con la segunda parte de la pelcula. $18.74/subscription + tax, Save 25% Mama believes that Africans need religious salvation from heathenism, while Beneatha believes that they are in greater need of political and civil salvation from French and British colonialism. -Walter comes in drunk and starts to sing and dance (being really rude and loud). Save over 50% with a SparkNotes PLUS Annual Plan! 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. In this movement, Black Americans embraced their racial history, stopping their attempts to assimilate, even in physical appearance. Owning a house had always been a dream she had shared with her husband, and now that he is gone she nurtures this dream even more powerfully. 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. Wed love to have you back! Ruth, however, has reached a point of despair. Walter's? As she asks him to sit down, she scurries to throw the spray gun off the couch in the hopes that Asagai wont see it. 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. Purchasing Teacher Editions with classroom activities for all 1725 titles we cover. Mama eventually has to be the one to tell him about Ruth's dilemma and is surprised that his desire for the money overshadows his concern for both Ruth and his unborn child. Travis asks them for moneyhe is supposed to bring fifty cents to schooland Ruth says that they do not have it. How does Ruth behave when she learns Why does he visit? Rather, they live in a world in which being middle class is also a dream. As a playwright, Hansberry must develop characters through dialogue because there is no narration that can do it for her. After he leaves, You'll be billed after your free trial ends. Why do Asagai and Beneatha argue about assimilationism? Find related themes, quotes, symbols, characters, and more. Eventually, Beneatha chooses Asagai, and, thus, her African heritage, over the assimilationist viewpoint embodied by George. What is the significance of the meaning of the word "Alaiyo"? You may cancel your subscription on your Subscription and Billing page or contact Customer Support at custserv@bn.com. Want 100 or more? What time does normal church end on Sunday? This upsets Ruth because it serves as yet another reminder of her own poverty, and her inability to give her son a better life. Use up and down arrows to review and enter to select. Removing #book# sentence 1 (subject of a question): 2 (subject of a subordinate clause): 3 (direct object of a verb); 4 Educators go through a rigorous application process, and every answer they submit is reviewed by our in-house editorial team. Ruth bears the responsibility not only for literally carrying the child, but also for shouldering a significant part of the accompanying financial burden. The free trial period is the first 7 days of your subscription. If you don't see it, please check your spam folder. The family will have room for another, and therefore she can finally recognize and await the new life she is creating with joy. What does Asagai's use of a different name imply and foreshadow? Earlier in the play, Ruth was stressed about the knowledge that she was pregnant. Ruth and Beneatha are worried and uncertain, while Mama simply expresses her hope that the baby will be a girl. Their different reactions illustrate the different ways this news impacted their lives. A3S1 Why does Walter call Mr. Lindner? Describe Walter's relationship with Ruth in A Raisin in the Sun. Mamas refusal to support Walters dream frustrates and emasculates him, eroding his sense of his worth in being what he feels he should be: a husband and father, a man, who can support his family. TO CANCEL YOUR SUBSCRIPTION AND AVOID BEING CHARGED, YOU MUST CANCEL BEFORE THE END OF THE FREE TRIAL PERIOD. Accessed 1 May 2023. Who are the experts?Our certified Educators are real professors, teachers, and scholars who use their academic expertise to tackle your toughest questions. Walters statements show how racial discrimination regarding job opportunities curbed many African Americans dreams for social advancement, and locked them into the role, essentially, of servants. What is the significance of the discussion between Mama and Beneatha about Africa? SparkNotes PLUS - There is a mix of happy, excited, and curious to see what's next. When the unvoiced th sound arise at the end of a word, spell it with the letters th. Joseph Asagai brings Beneatha a gift of African records and some Nigerian robes. Why? BENEATHA: It is my businesswhere is he going to live, on the roof? 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. A2S2 What does Mama tell Walter to do with the money? However, with these other conflicts involved, the Youngers seem like a real family facing real problems. They injected the A3S1 What childhood winter memory does Beneatha share with Asagai? You'll also get updates on new titles we publish and the ability to save highlights and notes. How does he react when confronted? WebRuth calls the doctor she, which arouses Mamas suspicion because their family doctor is a man. Mama, however, ignores Walter in the same way that Walter earlier ignored Ruth's attempts to tell him about her pregnancy. How does the mood of the play change when the postman rings the doorbell? An interesting aspect of this particular "Jim Crow" law was that a black person might be permitted to sit in the front of the bus if there were no white person on the bus who needed that seat. Beneathas request that her mother refrain from asking ignorant questions about Africa underscores the fact that many mid-century African Americans knew little about African life and culture. She wants to rid herself and her family of what she later refers to as acute ghetto-itis. It is obvious that Beneatha is not proud of her familys economic and social situation and is a bit embarrassed by it when Asagai visits. His persistent nagging quickly irritates her. A2S1 How does Walter insult George? During the thirties and forties, the mass exodus of blacks from the south to the northern cities was an attempt to flee segregation injustices, including being forced to ride at the back of buses. Latest answer posted February 28, 2021 at 2:55:14 PM. How does Walter react to that idea? Read an in-depth analysis of Lena Mama Younger. Then write the number that describes how the pronoun is used in the Beneatha refers to the "ghetto" in which they live as though it brings with it a disease that she calls "ghetto-iris.". A Raisin in the Sun Comprehension Questions.odt - A Raisin What does the allusion "this here can is empty as Jacob's kettle" mean? A3S1 How does Asagai answer Beneatha? Continue to start your free trial. From the creators of SparkNotes, something better. Mama, however, seems to feel as though Walter and Beneatha's generation takes the civil rights advancements of her generation for granted, and possibly that the life they fought for should be enough for her children. Her reaction that Asagais love is not enough is an expression of her desire not just for love but for a partner dedicated to her equality and freedom as well. Cite examples. -Go to the bank and put some money in for Bennie's schooling and the rest he can decide what to do with it Act One, Scene 2. Please wait while we process your payment. His character is meant to represent a kind of broken masculinity that society perceived among Black men of the 1950s, men who were shut out of the American dream by racism and poverty. 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. It is infested with cockroaches and there is not enough room for them all. 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. -Walter's jealous of the way he grew up Why? "My students can't get enough of your charts and their results have gone through the roof." -Because she believes that dreaming will take you nowhere in life and it's point less. The fact that she later gets her hair cut shows that she recognizes that she had indeed been conforming to the ideas around her. Travis sleeps on the couch in the living room. It appears that their plan is moving smoothly. Ruth comes into the room just as Travis goes downstairs to get the mail. You may cancel your subscription on your Subscription and Billing page or contact Customer Support at custserv@bn.com. -Bennie joking about Tarzan and with Asagai. Want 100 or more? What do you think some of the deeper reasons for the conflict might be? So what you need me to say it was all right for? The other conflicts, such as the special treatment that Beneatha receives from Mama, Walter's resentment at not being head of the house, etc., might not have come to the foreground without the arrival of the check. Why does she choose this moment to talk about it? to start your free trial of SparkNotes Plus. A Raisin in the Sun Act I, Scene ii Summary & Analysis Read more about Walters perception of who the antagonists are in the play. Is Brooke shields related to willow shields? | What subtle glimpse into Beneatha's soul does this conversation provide? Instant PDF downloads. A3S1 How do you feel right after Lindner leaves? 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. -$6500 gone. -George doesn't care. Do Eric benet and Lisa bonet have a child together? -Mama chose it because it was the cheapest house she could find. Walterreceives a phone call from his friend Willy Harris, who is coordinating the potential liquor store venture. She wants to become an independent and liberated woman. To honor her African identity, Beneatha realizes that she must allow her hair to display its natural, unassimilated form. The way she dressed and behave she described as a 'tart', 'jail bait', 'rat truck' by George and she has describe as a 'purity' by Lennie and Slim. Ruth and Beneatha, part of a younger generation of women, differ from Mama in their reactions to the news. -Walters insults George by insulting to his father and the way he dresses How does the piece of paper that arrives affect each member of the family? You can view our. -They get very upset and ask him to leave. What, if any of the family's current conflicts has the issue of the insurance money caused? Why do the Youngers decide to go through with the move? Your group members can use the joining link below to redeem their group membership. During the 1950s, abortion was illegal, but Ruth has valid reasons for not wanting her pregnancy. He finds it hard to act as a man in the way his mother wants when she does not treat him as a man in the same way she treated his father. 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. Hansberry uses this allusion to emphasize Mama's need to keep the appearance of a nice home. After he leaves, Travis brings in the insurance check from the mailbox, and Walter seizes this opportunity to discuss his business plans again. 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. Why would Hansberry include this small exchange in the play when it does not seem to develop any of the themes? Mama tries so hard to impress Beneatha's Nigerian friend that her remarks are almost comical, clearly not her intent. Ruth wants to discuss her pregnancy with him and becomes upset when he will not listen. Why do you think Hansberry selected the name "Beneatha" for this character? How can you tell that she feels guilty? 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. The insurance check is all Walter needs to pursue the venture. In short, Walter is questioning the reasons he cannot live the way his bosses live. Why? What is the significance of the fact that Walter does not know where Ruth is? 1. in secticide 2. in tellectual 3. missionary 4. dejection 5. suppress 6. mutilate 7. Did Billy Graham speak to Marilyn Monroe about Jesus? Mama explains to Walter that for her generation, freedom from lynching, the end of segregation, and the ability to find work were all considerable social advancements. Walter exclaims at one point, "Will somebody please listen to me today?" Why is there so much apprehension about the check? Do you side with one more than with the other? Why does Beneatha want to become a doctor? 16. They need more salvation from the British and the French Beneatha says this to Mama as she attempts to "educate" her mother to what Beneatha feels are political realities. Explain how the ruins of Great Zimbabwe reflected the capital's wealth. Beneatha makes the mistake of using the Lords name in vain in front of Mama, which sparks another conversation about the extent of Gods providence. They are simply caught up in the excitement of the moment the receipt of the check. In his opinion, her hair should look as it does naturally: she should stop straightening it to look like white hair and instead wear an afro. Who makes the plaid blue coat Jesse stone wears in Sea Change? Beneatha gives Mama some facts about Africa which Mama later parrots for Asagai's acceptance and Beneatha's approval. Hansberry includes these in order to give the characters a sense of roundness. Mama and Ruth begin to tease Beneatha about the many activities that she tries and quits, including her latest attempt to learn how to play the guitar. -Bennie really likes him and he gives her a gift This scene also reveals Walters growing restlessness, as well as the desperation with which Ruth is trying to hold her family together. In her desires to express herself and to become a doctor, Beneatha proves an early feminist who radically views her role as self-oriented and not family-oriented. Thanks for creating a SparkNotes account! Complete the following sentence by choosing the word that best fits the context, based on information you infer from the use of the italicized word. Sometimes it can end up there. What are the qualities of an accurate map? Act 1 | The Crucible Questions | Q & A | GradeSaver Why does she lie to Travis? While the play takes place entirely within the Youngers apartment, Hansberry takes care to introduce external influences. They discuss the man that Beneatha has been dating, George Murchison. Finally, while she seems to understand Ruth's despair, she does not condone her action. How does Ruth behave when she learns about the rat In raisin in the sun? 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. Travis story highlights the harshness of life in the segregated South Side of Chicago and reignites Ruths fears that the familys current home is an unsuitable place for her son (or, now, her baby) to grow up. For her, their present abode is a source of oppression for them and is a great stress. (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. Act I Scene 1, Next The interaction between Beneatha and Asagai reveals how serious Beneatha is about finding her identity. -starts out in a worn-out, older, small, crowded living room. A1S2 How do Ruth and the other family members react to the news of her pregnancy? This scene focuses on the fierce Younger pride that Mama is constantly trying to instill in her children. Why does he say that the money Walter gave away wasn't hers? Why would Hansberry include these? Mama is confused because she does not understand the reference to the queen of the Nile. Detailed quotes explanations with page numbers for every important quote on the site. A1S2 How does Ruth behave when she learns about the rat? Walter, on the other hand, lacks this singular dedication to his family. You run our lives like you want to. Renews May 7, 2023 eNotes Editorial, 16 June 2020, https://www.enotes.com/homework-help/explain-the-different-reactions-of-ruth-and-262577. A1S1 What is your impression of Ruth? Dont have an account? -To tell him why she wants to be a doctor (something she once cared about). Beneatha represents the beginning of the postcolonial view of Africans as people who are only in need of the freedom to be themselves. -Moving the furniture, spraying insecticide, washing walls, listening to music. Para saber lo que dijo el crtico de espectculos, escribe las oraciones en el condicional. Beneatha and Travis start fighting, and Beneatha threatens him with the spray gun. -Blending in with white culture WebRuth and Benetha appear to have the stereotypical sister rivalry. Beneatha struggles against any reference to being subservient, which is often the cause of her conflict with the rest of the family. What are the surface reasons for the arguments between Walter and Ruth? Later, Beneatha will put these robes on and become a "Nigerian Princess," symbolizing her acceptance of her heritage. A2S1 How does Travis get into trouble? -Walter gets upset because he wants Travis to have/be something more in life. A1S2 Why has everyone been waiting for the mailman's arrival? Read more about why Mama wants to own property. For him, Mamas news does not represent a hopeful future, but betrayal. Historical Context Essay: A Raisin in the Sun on the Brink of the 1960s, Literary Context Essay: Hansberry, Langston Hughes, & the Harlem Renaissance. Read more about what Walter plans to do with the insurance money. eNotes.com will help you with any book or any question. Mama sits down with Walter who is upset byand ashamed ofhis poverty, his job as a chauffeur, and his lack of upward mobility. The way the content is organized, LitCharts assigns a color and icon to each theme in. Although Beneatha takes interest in her African heritage, her straightened hair projects a message of assimilation, of managing her black attributes to make it easier to fit in, which Beneatha abhors. Travis then leaves for school, and Walter tells Ruth that he wants to use the check to invest in a liquor store with a few of his friends. A1S1 What is Beneatha like? Which one do you think is more compatible with Beneatha? (object of a preposition). Your subscription will continue automatically once the free trial period is over. Walter does so knowing that he faces the emasculating task of having to ask Ruth for money himself as a result. She reveals this information to Mama and Beneatha. 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. Mama has acted as the head of the household, which has slighted Walter as the eldest male of his family. How does Ruth behave when she learns about the rat. The check represents an outside force that enters into their lives and changes everything, for better or for worse. Although the Younger family seems alienated from white middle-class culture, they harbor the same materialistic dreams as the rest of American society. LitCharts Teacher Editions. Share your findings with the class. -Business partner with Walter and Willy A+ Student Essay: The Role of Money in the Play, Lorraine Hansberry and A Raisin in the Sun Background. A2S3 How do you know that Ruth and Walter have been getting along better for the past day or two? When she rebukes himas if he were still a childhe responds, "I'm a grown man." I DON'T EVER WANT TO SEE YOUR UGLY FACE AGAIN! 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. -Happy but very worried She is very pleased that Asagai sees her as she sees herself. Do you have pictures of Gracie Thompson from the movie Gracie's choice. Walter, who usually has a lot to say, is suddenly quiet. She and Mama discuss Beneathas worries about her familys ignorance about Africa and African people. Beneatha's soft acceptance of this assessment of herself shows that she does indeed see herself in this light. Read an in-depth analysis of Ruth Younger. What does this show about the contrast between the two men? Merely going through the motions of life is not enough for a person like Beneatha; she has to question every philosophy for herself. In A Raisin in the Sun, Mama says, "He finally come into his manhood today, didn't he? How does Walter feel about her plans? A1S1 Why is Mama about to get a large sum of money? What does the interior of the Younger house tell you about the family that lives there? They're like having in-class notes for every discussion!, This is absolutely THE best teacher resource I have ever purchased.