how does ruth behave when she learns about the rat?

What is her "dream"? Walter, however, wants more for himself and his family. How does his visit change the family's mood? In this movement, Black Americans embraced their racial history, stopping their attempts to assimilate, even in physical appearance. WebRuth and Benetha appear to have the stereotypical sister rivalry. Instant downloads of all 1725 LitChart PDFs She wants to become an independent and liberated woman. Beneatha contends that, for that very reason, any further relationship is pointless, as Georges family wouldnt approve of her anyway. Hansberry uses these two men to show the issues with which Beneatha is struggling. -A gardening hat of the pronoun in parentheses. Though Walter and Ruth harbor materialistic dreams, they desire wealth not solely for self-serving purposes but rather as a means to provide for their family and escape the South Side ghetto in which they live. They keep mentioning a check. Wed love to have you back! on 50-99 accounts. Jesus tells her that a water bucket is constantly empty, but if she believes, then her kettle will never be empty because it will be filled with the living water of God. The Nigerian robes symbolize African heritage. 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. 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. Use up and down arrows to review and enter to select. A2S1 How can you tell that there are problems in Walter and Ruth's marriage? What does the allusion "this here can is empty as Jacob's kettle" mean? Ruth bears the responsibility not only for literally carrying the child, but also for shouldering a significant part of the accompanying financial burden. How does Ruth try to handle his rudeness? 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. Similarly, it is difficult for her to care for her family as much as she wants and to have her family members grow as much as she wants. What is the significance of the meaning of the word "Alaiyo"? Subscribe now. Why does he say that the money Walter gave away wasn't hers? Continue to start your free trial. When she rebukes himas if he were still a childhe responds, "I'm a grown man." Detailed quotes explanations with page numbers for every important quote on the site. It is morning at the Youngers apartment. 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. While most of their dreams involve the acquisition of some markers of success, such as a home, large cars, and privileged education, Beneatha has to begin by first ridding herself of the bugs that plague her current situation. He implies that her hairstyle is too American and unnatural, and he wonders how it got that way. -Walter gets upset because he wants Travis to have/be something more in life. A2S1 How does Beneatha's Nigerian dress and music affect Walter? 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. on 50-99 accounts. Does Mama agree? Although Asagai is not offensively sexist, perhaps due to his Western education and worldly sophistication, still his views are traditionally African, circa 1959, and, therefore, somewhat chauvinistic. With whom do you side in their argument? Travis asks them for moneyhe is supposed to bring fifty cents to schooland Ruth says that they do not have it. Our, "Sooo much more helpful thanSparkNotes. Get Annual Plans at a discount when you buy 2 or more! Will he try to stop Ruth? Beneathas dream differs from Mamas in that it is, in many ways, self-serving. How does Asagai tease Beneatha about her hair? -Asagai teases Bennie bc her hair is straightened (not embracing her natural hair) Why does Walter get so upset with Ruth and Mama? Ruth feels ill and anxious about her pregnancy. Beneatha claims that she is trying to express herself, an idea at which Ruth and Mama have a laugh. Sometimes it can end up there. -She doesn't believe in God In the 1950s, the stereotypical American dream was to have a house with a yard, a big car, and a happy family. on 2-49 accounts, Save 30% From the creators of SparkNotes, something better. Your subscription will continue automatically once the free trial period is over. A1S1 What is your impression of Ruth? When Asagai says goodbye, he calls Beneatha by a nickname, Alaiyo. He explains that it is a word from his African tribal language, roughly translated to mean One for Whom BreadFoodIs Not Enough. He leaves, having charmed both women. Our summaries and analyses are written by experts, and your questions are answered by real teachers. Read more about what Walter plans to do with the insurance money. A1S2 Why does Mama tell Walter that he is a disgrace to his father's memory? $18.74/subscription + tax, Save 25% She does so literally in this scene by holding the insurance check. How does Walter lose the insurance money? Beneatha easily gets worked up into a fury, and when angry, says things she does not actually mean, just as she did in Scene 1 with the comment about salt losing its savor. Why does he react this way? -Happy but very worried Latest answer posted December 17, 2020 at 11:09:16 AM. What is the significance of the discussion between Mama and Beneatha about Africa? Please wait while we process your payment. What this means is that Asagai sees Beneatha as someone who has a longing that will not be filled by material possessions alone. LitCharts Teacher Editions. -Bennie is going on about she doesn't believe in God. So what you need me to say it was all right for? What will be his punishment? This scene also reveals Walters growing restlessness, as well as the desperation with which Ruth is trying to hold her family together. Did you know you can highlight text to take a note? Act II Scene 1. -Ruth talks happily about him and how they have been holding hands Beneatha, of course, reacts angrily to Asagai's criticism and judgment. Not until Rosa Parks dramatically refused to sit at the back of a bus in Montgomery, Alabama, in 1954, an act which accelerated the civil rights movement, did most blacks in the south even think about the absurdity of the "Jim Crow" laws. Hansberry includes these in order to give the characters a sense of roundness. Walter explains that his work as a white mans chauffeur is emasculating and limits his hopes for a better future. Mamas hospitality is a reflection of the pride that she takes in her family and its treatment of others. The fact that Ruth considers an abortion, an illegal practice at the time, shows the lengths to which she would go to protect her family from further financial strain. Why did Mama choose this location? You'll also get updates on new titles we publish and the ability to save highlights and notes. This is another point that reveals Beneatha's explosive and apparently selfish character. -Lots of emotions at once. Asagai sees Beneatha's haircut as an example of assimilationisman acceptance of white oppression and a rejection of her African heritage. Teach your students to analyze literature like LitCharts does. Why does she choose this moment to talk about it? -I think Walter will only fall deeper into his hole and not try and stop Ruth from killing their baby. What does her purchase show about her personality? Luego contesta las preguntas. This scene significantly dramatizes the lack of understanding between parent and child. -George just wants her to be a pretty and respectful girl and Asagai wants her to be who she really is Mama's generation worked hard so that their children could have a "better life," which, to her, meant a life without segregation. Read more about why Mama wants to own property. Members will be prompted to log in or create an account to redeem their group membership. Why? -When he says their neighbors have offered to buy their house Consider her body language upon hearing the news: She laughs joyously, having practically destroyed the apartment, and flings her arms up and lets them come down happily, slowly, reflectively, over her abdomen, aware for the first time perhaps that the life therein pulses with happiness and not despair. Meanwhile Ruth, who is usually quieter, laughs out loud. 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. He thinks that she should be doing something more womanly than studying medicine, especially since her tuition will cut into the check, which is the insurance payment for their fathers death. Some of the vocabulary words have related meanings. $24.99 for a customized plan. You may cancel your subscription on your Subscription and Billing page or contact Customer Support at [email protected]. A2S1 Is Walter right when he accuses his mother of trying to run her children's lives? What does the check symbolize, from both a plot standpoint and a dramatic standpoint? What do you think some of the deeper reasons for the conflict might be? What does it reveal about each of the characters? Beneatha's anger is definitely covering a feeling of sadness toward even this small assimilation into white American life. -Asa makes a better argument and just wants Bennie to be who she really is. Which one do you think is more compatible with Beneatha? Walter scans the front page of the newspaper and reads that another bomb was set off, and Ruth responds with indifference. For him, Mamas news does not represent a hopeful future, but betrayal. How does Ruth behave when she learns about the rat. Mama tries so hard to impress Beneatha's Nigerian friend that her remarks are almost comical, clearly not her intent. (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. Ace your assignments with our guide to A Raisin in the Sun! A2S3 What does Travis get for Mama? What is Hansberry saying by including the subsequent stage direction? - There is a mix of happy, excited, and curious to see what's next. What is Ruth's view of what they should do? To Mama, that particular measure of equality is enough; to Walter, it is an outrage. The reader may wonder how these situations might have festered in the minds of the characters if these conflicts had not been brought to the forefront. - Because she tries to make an intellectual comment about many African Americans ignorance She is experiencing a spiritual longing. 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. For her, their present abode is a source of oppression for them and is a great stress. To Asagai, this is the worst thing an African American can do. Want 100 or more? Ruth and Walter? The original production of this play, as well as the original movie screenplay, does not contain the incident involving Travis' chasing a huge rat while he is downstairs playing with his friends in the street. Do you have pictures of Gracie Thompson from the movie Gracie's choice. -Mama is very happy and says nice things about it This is a statement of the She not only wants to have a careera far cry from the June Cleaver stay-at-home-mom role models of the 1950s (June Cleaver was the name of the mother on Leave it to Beaver, a popular late-1950s sitcom about a stereotypical suburban family)but also desires to find her identity and pursue an independent career without relying solely on a man. Walter, however, gives Travis an entire dollar while staring at Ruth. A2S3 How do you know that Ruth and Walter have been getting along better for the past day or two? The issue of abortion, which Ruth considers and Mama implicitly rejects, highlights the generational differences between the women. A2S2 How does Ruth find out that Walter has not been showing up for work? She reveals this information to Mama and Beneatha. Once again, we see how protective Mama is of her family. This scene emphasizes the clash of cultures between the American-born black and the African. Are you sure you want to remove #bookConfirmation# -Bennie joking about Tarzan and with Asagai. Should she? Mama's look is a warning to Beneatha; Mama does not want Travis to know that Ruth is pregnant and is at the doctor's office because this would only worry the boy. She even indicates to Ruth and Mama that she might not get married, a possibility that astonishes them because it runs counter to their expectations of a womans role. The fact that Beneatha is placed between these two men shows that, as an African American, she is ambivalently stuck between being an assimilationist and being proud of her African heritage. WebHow do Ruth and the other family members react to the news of the pregnancy? Answered by Aslan on 7/25/2017 10:26 PM Ruth WebMama is upset when she realizes that Ruth is contemplating an abortion. Mama's can of kitchen cleanser is always empty because she must at least keep her home very clean, since she cannot keep it looking new. Read more about Mamas plant as a symbol. What is the significance of the fact that Walter does not know where Ruth is? Central Idea Essay: Why Does Mama Want to Own Property? Latest answer posted August 25, 2021 at 3:18:50 AM. Save over 50% with a SparkNotes PLUS Annual Plan! Even if Walter's ideas were unacceptable and offensive, someone in his family should have taken the time to listen. -By asking her if the money was hers - Shows that Mama cares about her children and doesn't want to embarrass them What decisions does she need to make? -He's a drunk and doesn't care that Ruth may kill her maybe It appears that their plan is moving smoothly. Similarly, the speculation over Ruths pregnancy imbues the scene with a sense of anxiety and tension. 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. -Ruth still wants them to move -He comes home later than he was supposed to WebNaomi then explained what Ruth was to do: she was to wash herself, anoint herself, and change her clothes. These dreams mostly involve money. This scene includes two phone calls: one for Walter from Willy about the liquor store investment and the other for Beneatha from Joseph Asagai, her good friend and fellow intellectual. Cuando te sacan fotos, qu ropa te gusta llevar? In this conversation, Mama represents a colonial/imperialist view of Africans as savages who need to be "saved" and "civilized." If a white person boarded the bus and a black person was seated in the front, the black person knew, almost instinctively, that he had to get up in deference to the white person who needed that seat. Act I Scene 2, Mrs. Johnson (Mrs. Wilhelmina Othella Johnson). She believes that Tituba knows how to speak to the dead, and she wished to learn who murdered her seven children -She will most likely take his offer because she's not happy with where e life is now and this would be a good change. for a group? Indeed, her seeking of her roots in Africa to forge her identity (even though her family has been in America for five generations) precedes the New African movement of the 1960s. The check represents an outside force that enters into their lives and changes everything, for better or for worse. How do they react? Historical Context Essay: A Raisin in the Sun on the Brink of the 1960s, Literary Context Essay: Hansberry, Langston Hughes, & the Harlem Renaissance. When the voiced th sound arise, include a final e. List examples of each of these rules in poems. -Mama chose it because it was the cheapest house she could find. She is at the center of her familys life, and she controls many of the interactions of the members of her household. Does Ruth agree? 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. Cite examples. Mira el retrato (portrait) del nio y lee el prrafo. In A Raisin in the Sun, why do you think Mama changes her mind and gives Walter the insurance money? Thus, she tells Travis that Ruth is out on an errand and will be back eventually. -Makes the mad, sad, and fearful Nigeria finally became independent and a member of the British Commonwealth of Nations, and, in 1963, it became a republic. Ruth wants to discuss her pregnancy with him and becomes upset when he will not listen. When Walter enters and begins talking about his plans for the money, everyone ignores him so he resorts to shouting: "WILL SOMEBODY PLEASE LISTEN TO ME TODAY?". 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. You'll also receive an email with the link. A2S2 What does Mama tell Walter to do with the money? Please wait while we process your payment. I DON'T EVER WANT TO SEE YOUR UGLY FACE AGAIN! What are the surface reasons for the arguments between Walter and Ruth? Why is Ruth upset by Travis's talk of the rat? How does this contrast with her mother's feelings? Beneatha argues that the money belongs to Mama and that Mama has the right to decide how it is spent. Removing #book# Dont have an account? Why is there so much apprehension about the check? A1S1 Why do you think Mama likes the plant so much? -insurance money from her husband's death. Why? creating and saving your own notes as you read. What subtle glimpse into Beneatha's soul does this conversation provide? Why do you think she is so upset? Beneatha represents the beginning of the postcolonial view of Africans as people who are only in need of the freedom to be themselves. Historical Context Essay: A Raisin in the Sun on the Brink of the 1960s, Literary Context Essay: Hansberry, Langston Hughes, & the Harlem Renaissance. Beneatha argues that God does not seem to help her or the family. A2S3 When do the Youngers finally realize Mr. Lindner's purpose for calling on them? Usa tu imaginacin y expresa lo que ellos dijeron. -Thinking about having to raise another child in the small apartment, in an unsafe/unsanitary area. Tendremos que salir a las seis de la maana, lo que A1S1 Describe the setting of the story. How does Ruth behave when she learns He does not appreciate the depth of Ruth's despair, and cannot imagine her choosing not to have their baby. SparkNotes Plus subscription is $4.99/month or $24.99/year as selected above. Mamas reaction to the check shows the negative consequences of money, as the question of its use weighs heavily on Mama, as well as the fact that this money was earned through the death of her husband, and as such cant possibly be worth what it cost to get it. Hansberry uses similar minor interactions to develop the characters throughout the play. -He is the welcoming committee at their new neighborhood A1S2 Why has everyone been waiting for the mailman's arrival? How can you tell that she feels guilty? A1S2 How do the various family members use humor to reduce the stressfulness of their situation? WebWhile waiting for Travis, Mama asks Ruth about her visit to the doctor, and Ruths use of the pronoun she to refer to the doctor makes Mama immediately suspicious. Travis for a group? What decisions does she need to make? This little scene may seem insignificant, but it develops Mama's character. Ruth returns from seeing a doctor, who has told her that she is two months pregnant. You can view our. Despite its harrowing past, Nigeria has become a leader in literature, art, music, and craftsmanship. However, with these other conflicts involved, the Youngers seem like a real family facing real problems. -When Walter says "who even cares about you" to Ruth She tries to give the plant enough light and water not only to grow but also to flourish and become beautiful, just as she attempts to provide for her family with meager yet consistent financial support. What are the duties of a sanitary prefect in a school? It is clear that Beneatha and Asagai love each other, but there are hints of philosophical disagreement. 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. How do you form that impression? -Because in his mind, he thought he was going to get that money to invest in one of his many dumb ideas. The issue of the check serves only to exacerbate the conflicts that already exist. After he leaves, Why? sentence 1 (subject of a question): 2 (subject of a subordinate clause): 3 (direct object of a verb); 4 Just bought a rat | The issue of the money has caused none of the family's conflicts. What is Mama suggesting when she says to Beneatha: "I guess I see why we done commence to get so interested in Africa 'round here"? With the nickname, Asagai acknowledges and celebrates Beneathas aspirations and desire for something more than just the basics, whether in love or life, which she deeply appreciates. Struggling with distance learning? What might Beneatha represent? A2S1 Why does Ruth's excitement about the new house begin to fade when she discovers its location? Latest answer posted June 28, 2020 at 11:07:39 AM. Yet while she wants to break free of conforming to the white ideal, she still wants to acclimate herself to an educated American life. Beneatha says that her hair was once like his, but that she finds it too raw that way. Open hostility, however, between the numerous rival factions within the country bred chaos, with several attempts to overthrow the government, civil war, and finally mass starvation. Youve successfully purchased a group discount. A2S3 Who is Bobo? A1S1 Why is Mama about to get a large sum of money? 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. Also, Mama is asking Walter to save his unborn child from a death inflicted by poverty, but Walters obsession with material wealth prevents him from taking such a stand because the baby will only make that poverty worse and make his dreams even less achievable. The fact that she later gets her hair cut shows that she recognizes that she had indeed been conforming to the ideas around her. Complete your free account to request a guide. Educators go through a rigorous application process, and every answer they submit is reviewed by our in-house editorial team. Read more about the value and purpose of dreams as a theme. A1S2 How does Beneatha feel about the church? While Travis gets ready in the communal bathroom, Ruth and Walter talk in the kitchen. This kept Ruth emotionally wound up and worried. -Yes, he seems like he wants Bennie to be happy. 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. But neither Ruth nor Mama treats him like a grown man. -They get very upset and ask him to leave. Beneatha made this statement to Asagai when they first met, a remark he had found amusing. 2023 Course Hero, Inc. All rights reserved. Some word pairs will be antonyms, some will be synonyms, and some will simply be words often used in the same context. Why does he come to see Walter? Read more about the nuanced use of dialect by each character in A Raisin in the Sun. They injected the Ruth and Beneatha, part of a younger generation of women, differ from Mama in their reactions to the news. What are the physical traits of Lena, Walter, Beneatha, Ruth, George, and Joseph? Did you know you can highlight text to take a note? Walterreceives a phone call from his friend Willy Harris, who is coordinating the potential liquor store venture. 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. A1S2 What goes on during house cleaning at the Youngers? Before Asagai's arrival at the Younger apartment, Beneatha sternly admonishes her mother not to say anything embarrassingly naive or patronizing about Africa. How is that money beginning to cause conflict within the family? You'll be billed after your free trial ends. Describe Walter's relationship with Ruth in A Raisin in the Sun. -One wants her to be happy and the other wants her to be pretty Teachers and parents! -Based on where there are in life now, that will most likely never happen. Some commentators believe that Naomi was instructing Ruth to be We're sorry, SparkNotes Plus isn't available in your country. Walter's? To a great extent, Walters dreams center on the many things that he wants, highlighting the centrality of material wealth in his formation of a personal identity. Why do Asagai and Beneatha argue about assimilationism? -Comes to tell Walter that Willy took all their money Why do the Youngers decide to go through with the move? She knew there was no real room for another person in the apartment and that finances were extremely tight. What does she mean? Suddenly, there is a commotion in the street, and. Do you think you would like him? Both interpretations seem valid. She asks Ruth what she would do with the money, which amounts to $10,000. Ruth calls the doctor she, which arouses Mamas suspicion because their family doctor is a man. Ruth feels ill and anxious about her pregnancy. Mama tries to help her relax. Asagai visits Beneatha, and they spend some time together by themselves. He brings her some Nigerian clothing and music as gifts. Log in here. From his perspective, he enters the apartment excited about the money, and is dismissed and treated like a child.

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how does ruth behave when she learns about the rat?