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Lorraine hansberry essays
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Rainer Maria Rilke once said, “The only journey is the one within.” This quote applies to the journey of self-discovery Beneatha goes through in the play “A Raisin in the Sun” by Lorraine Hansberry. George Murchison and Joseph Asagai are the men of Beneatha’s life and their views of the world and relationship with Beneatha are polar opposite when compared. Beneatha is a young African-American woman who grows and changes throughout the story. In the beginning of the play Beneatha’s actions and the way she talks give off that she is an obnoxious and self-centered girl. Beneatha says, “Lovely. Lovely. And you know, biology is the greatest. (Looking up at him) I dissected something that looked just like you yesterday.” (Hansberry), to her brother. …show more content…
Even though there is a large cultural barrier between Asagai and the Youngers they get along quite well. Asagai fits in better with the Youngers than George Murchison who seems to constantly be at conflict with either Beneatha or Walter. Beneatha seems to favor her African Suitor, Joseph Asagai. Asagai is a student from Africa who is fond of Beneatha. Asagai tries to win Beneatha over by gifting her things and showing his affection. He is persistent in going after her but never overbearing. The gifts he gives her are all hold meaning to Beneatha and aren't useless trinkets. All the gifts given were desired by Beneatha. Like the Nigerian robes which Asagai went through alot of trouble to get from his home in Africa to gift to Beneatha. Asagai has a very optimistic vision for the future of his country. He states, “ In my village at home it is the exceptional man who can even read a newspaper ... and perhaps for it I will be butchered in my bed some night by the servants of empire …” (Hansberry), here Asagai proves that he would be willing to do whatever it takes to gain the independence of his country. He would be willing to put his life on the line if it meant his country would gain its independence. Despite Asagai being able to afford a Western education his core beliefs are all routed from his African culture. Which at the time being 1959 were biased and old-fashioned. His old-fashioned views …show more content…
He is the complete opposite of Asagai. George is portrayed as very attractive and rich in the play, but this does not impress Beneatha. George is arrogant, egotistical, and pedantic. His character in the play symbolizes the colored person who’s own self-hatred projects onto other colored people. He is constantly trying to prove his wealth and education by saying things like, “ It’s an eight-thirty curtain. That’s just Chicago, though. In New York standard curtain time is eight forty.” (Hansberry) when he knows that such information is useless and wont be understood by Ruth. George is arrogant and pompous to the point where he can’t ignore a Walter’s lie when he says, ”New York ain’t got nothing Chicago ain’t. Just a bunch of hustling people all squeezed up together— being “Eastern.” (Hansberry) He immediately responds saying, “Oh you’ve been?” (Hansberry), belittling a man who’s self esteem is already nonexistent. George’s character doesn't stand a chance against Asagai. George gets irritated when Beneatha tries to speak her mind or talk about politics because he believes that people receive higher education for the sole purpose of getting a good job. Beneatha doesn't agree with this. In the big debate of assimilation that goes on throughout the play, George sees nothing wrong with assimilation while Asagai believes that colored people should be in touch with their African roots. George believes that it is
Each character in A Raisin in the Sun has grown through out the play. The first character I will begin to talk about is Walter Lee Younger (brother). He is Passionate, ambitious, and bursting with the energy of his dreams, Walter Lee is a desperate man, influenced by with poverty and prejudice, and obsessed with a business idea that he thinks will solve all of his problems. He believes that through his business idea, he will collect all the money he will ever need. Once he has done so, he will improve himself socially and be able to impress others.
It was unheard of at this time for a poor well-educated black woman to have such high ambitions and dreams. Beneatha took a lot pride in this fact and often waved her intelligence around in her families faces. Mama, knowing how much her education meant to her, told Walter to save $3000 for Beneatha's medical schooling. When it was discovered that Walter had invested the money in his liquor store scheme and Willy had run off with all the money, Beneatha was devastated. She had lost all hope and even though her spirits may have been lifted after her talk with Asagai in act III and the chance to move into a new house, it seems that Beneatha will never realize this
She speaks whatever comes to her mind without a filter. While in a fight with Mama, Beneatha states, “Well - neither is God. I get sick of hearing about God.”, this was a big mistake. Mama, not amused by Beneatha’s comment about God, slaps Beneatha, Beneatha should have thought of who she was talking to before she said those offensive words. Additionally, Beneatha tends to respond defensively when someone makes a comment about her personal life. For example, Ruth and Mama tease Beneatha about going on a date with George Murchison, a rich black man. Beneatha responds indignantly with how shallow George is, concluding that maybe she will never marry anybody. Beneatha shows constant negative interactions with other
The battle against racism was fought with the help of many people. Beneatha in the story, A Raisin in the Sun by Hansberry, was always trying to find herself within the story. Whether it would be the guitar lessons she would take or the clothes she would wear, it all meant something to her.
Beneatha 's American dream was to become a doctor. She was going to achieve this dream by going to a medical school. Her dream was deferred because of the money Walter lost. Mama said, “You mean your sister’s school money… You used that too… Walter?...” (129). This show that there 's no more money for Beneatha 's education. Beneatha 's American Dream of women 's rights was also deferred because Beneatha lives in a time when society expects women to build homes rather than careers. Walter said, “Who the hell told you you had to be a doctor? If you so crazy about messing around with sick people, then go be a nurse like other women or just get married and be quiet…” (38). This shows how people think during those times that women just get married and stay home cleaning. Beneatha 's American dream is that she wants a good man was also deferred, because she wants someone to love her for who she is. Beneatha 's said, “Mama George is a fool honest” (97). This demonstrate, that she wants no fool. She wants someone that is serious with her. Overall, through her character, Beneatha Younger, Hansberry created a real example of a black American dream. All her dreams are deferred of becoming a doctor, her women’s rights, and a good
A Raisin in the Sun, by Lorraine Hansberry, has often been dubbed a “black” play by critics since its debut on Broadway in 1959. This label has been reasonably assigned considering the play has a cast that consists primarily of African American actors; however, when looking beyond the surface of this play and the color of the author and characters, one can see that A Raisin in the Sun actually transcends the boundaries of racial labels through the universal personalities assigned to each character and the realistic family situations that continue to evolve throughout the storyline. As seen when comparing A Raisin in the Sun to “The Rich Brother,” a story for which the characters receive no label of race, many commonalities can be found between the characters’ personalities and their beliefs. Such similarities prove that A Raisin in the Sun is not merely a play intended to appeal only to the black community, nor should it be construed as a story about the plights of the black race alone, but instead should be recognized as a play about the struggles that all families, regardless of race, must endure in regard to their diversity and financial disparity. A succinct introduction and excellent writing!
She really only worries about herself and being a doctor at this point and as it is good to know what you want and be ambitious you should still listen to others. When Ruth and Beneatha are talking about George Murchison and Beneatha’s plans to be a doctor she states, “…I’m going to be a doctor, and George, for one, still thinks that’s pretty funny. I couldn’t be bothered with that. I am going to be a doctor and everybody around here better understand that.” (50). As she says this she lets everyone know what she is doing, which is being a doctor, and lets them know that they better understand that. Beneatha also was a very proud person, no matter if normally people would think what she did is wrong, she would still be proud of herself. Beneatha had been trying to act like a woman from a Nigerian tribe and was wearing odd clothing and cut off her hair and was very pleased with the actions she had done. Although, George didn’t have the same reaction as her. “Oh, don’t be so proud of yourself Bennie-just because you look eccentric?” (80). George thought she was acting completely ridiculous but Beneatha really didn’t care what he thought. Beneatha then was not thinking about the new member of the family when Ruth announced that she was pregnant. Beneatha made a harsh comment to Ruth when she really should have been congratulating her on the baby. “It is my business-where is he going to live, on the roof?” (58). Beneatha
Walter and Beneatha’s relationship is very complex. The spiraling tension between the two siblings causes confrontation to form and creep into the Younger household. Walter needs his family to respect him as the man of the family, but his sister is constantly belittling him in front of his mother, wife, and son. This denigrating treatment taints Walter’s view of himself as a man, which carries into his decisions and actions. Beneatha also subconsciously deals with the dysfunctional relationship with her brother. She desires to have her brother’s support for her dream of becoming a doctor, yet Walter tends to taunt her aspiration and condemns her for having such a selfish dream. Mama as the head of the family is heartbroken by the juvenile hostility of her adult children, so in hopes to keep her family together she makes the brave move of purchasing a house. Mama’s reasoning for the bold purchase was,“ I—I just seen my family falling apart….just falling to pieces in front of my eyes…We couldn’t have gone on like we was today. We was going backwards ‘stead of forw...
Beneatha is the most educated of the whole Younger family and she too has a dream which is to one day become a doctor. Her lover , George, believes the same as Walter. They both believe that women were made to just cook and clean but Beneatha believes different. She wants to make a change and show that women, black women, were not just made to cook and clean, they were made to be...
When talking to Mama and Ruth in a scene about marriage, Beneatha’s opinion on this topic shocks the two other women. When she is asked about her thoughts on who she will marry, Beneatha responds by saying, “I’m not worried who I’m going to marry yet—if I ever get married” (Hansberry 50). Beneatha is not concerned about marriage at the moment because she is studying to become a doctor. Her motivation to become a doctor stems from her want to change the world. Beneatha’s motivation is parallel to her generation’s, the Baby Boomers, drive to improve the world. As the conversation leads towards the topic of religion, Beneatha tells Mama and Ruth that “God is just one of the ideas I don’t accept” (Hansberry 51). Being the youngest of the three women, Beneatha is not as religious as Mama. Instead, she believes that it is wrong that He gets all the credit of humankind. Beneatha not believing in God lines up with how the Baby Boomers are less devout than the GI Generation. Beneatha’s beliefs show how she incorporates more modern values into her
Beneatha’s dream is revealed because nearly everything Beneatha does is because she wants to be a doctor. Beneatha’s barrier is that she is dependent on others to fulfill her dream. In act 3, Asagai says: “But did you earn it? Would you have had it at all if your father had not died?” (135). Beneatha begins to understand that the money was never hers. Asagai declares in act 3: “Then isn’t there something wrong in a house – in a world – where all dreams, good or bad, must depend on the death on the death of a man?” (135). After Asagai says this, Beneatha realizes she can’t depend on her father’s life insurance to become a doctor. Ruth and Beneatha both have major barriers keeping them from their
Beneatha is Mama’s daughter. She wants to become a doctor when she gets out of college. She also wants to save her race from ignorance.
First, Beneatha’s name accurately displays her obnoxious personality at the beginning of the play. Beneatha acts as though everyone in her family is beneath her because of the education she has received. She fails to recognize what others in her family have done to help put her through school, seen clearly in what Walter said to her, “Me and Ruth done made some sacrifices to you--why can’t you do something for your family?” (I.i.37). Furthermore, when Beneatha tells Ruth and Mama about expressing herself and they start laughing, Beneatha says, “Don’t worry--I don’t expect you to understand.” (I.i.48). Beneatha’s condescending attitude towards her family comes from her own view of her family--beneath her--making Beneatha an apt name for such a self-centered character.
BENEATHA: “I know – because that’s what it says in all the novels that men write. But it isn’t. Go ahead and laugh – but I’m not interested in being someone’s little episode in America or –” (With feminine vengeance)” – one of them!” (ASAGAI has burst into laughter again) “That’s funny as hell, huh!”(Hansberry).
Beneatha is Mama's youngest child. She aspires to become a doctor. Mama wants Beneatha to become what she wants so she decided to put aside some of the insurance money for Beneatha's schooling. Beneatha struggles as a young independent woman who has yet to find her identity. She finds herself trying new hobbies and dating two very different men. During a conversation with one of those men, Asagai, Beneatha is forced by Asagai to realize that she is not very independent at all. In fact she has been depending on the insurance money to get her through school. After this realization, Beneatha gains thoughts on how to achieve her dream of becoming a doctor (Kohorn). She presents her mother with her decision of getting married and how she "plans to find her roots in Africa" with Asagai (Silver).