Friday, June 5, 2015

Assignment Three: Explain how Beneatha represents social values regarding young black women for the play's time period. (Act 1 Scene 2) (100 words)

23 comments:

  1. Beneatha in Lorraine Hansberry’s play, “A Raisin in the Sun,” provides insight on social values regarding young African American women in the 1950s. In this scene Beneatha’s friend Asagai makes fun of her for when she told him that she, “want[ed] very much to talk with [him].About Africa” (Hansberry 62), because she, “[is] looking for [her] identity!” (Hansberry 62). During this time African Americans wanted to be treated equally to the whites, but still be themselves without turning into the whites. Beneatha wants to know more about African culture because she thinks it will help her discover herself more in the predominantly white culture they live in. He also bothers her about her hair and questions why she, “mutilates it every week” (Hansberry 62) and Beneatha responds by claiming that, “it’s so hard to manage when it’s well-raw” (Hansberry 62) and that, “it’s not mutilation” (Hansberry 62). Asagai questions why Beneatha cuts her hair all the time and why she does not leave it alone as its natural state. This shows that even though she claims that she cuts it for manageability, the real reason is that it looks neater and may help her fit in more as she strives to be a well educated young person. Asagai also believes that, “between a man and woman there need be only one kind of feeling” (Hansberry 63), and that, “for a woman that should be enough” (Hansberry 63) to which Beneatha disagrees. Even though women and men have the same rights at this point in time, men still see women as they did before, as subservient to men. Beneatha’s beliefs reveals that women are trying to get away from that standard and become all they can be and that there is more in life that being there for a man. Beneatha’s feelings and responses to Asagai portray the general values of young African American women in this time era and how that affects their lives.

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    1. Yes, great. What about her becoming a doctor? Consider this for future class discussions.

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    2. Beneatha in Lorraine Hansberry’s play, “A Raisin in the Sun,” provides insight on social values regarding young African American women in the 1950s. In this scene Beneatha’s friend Asagai makes fun of her for when she told him that she, “want[ed] very much to talk with [him].About Africa,” because she, “[is] looking for [her] identity!” (Hansberry 62). During this time African Americans wanted to be treated equally to the whites, but still be themselves without turning into the whites. Beneatha wants to know more about African culture because she thinks it will help her discover herself more in the predominantly white culture they live in. He also bothers her about her hair and questions why she, “mutilates it every week,” and Beneatha responds by claiming that, “it’s so hard to manage when it’s well-raw,” and that, “it’s not mutilation” (Hansberry 62). Asagai questions why Beneatha cuts her hair all the time and why she does not leave it alone as its natural state. This shows that even though she claims that she cuts it for manageability, the real reason is that it looks neater and may help her fit in more as she strives to be a well educated young person. Asagai also believes that, “between a man and woman there need be only one kind of feeling,” and that, “for a woman that should be enough,” to which Beneatha disagrees (Hansberry 63). Even though women and men have the same rights at this point in time, men still see women as they did before, as subservient to men. Beneatha’s beliefs reveals that women are trying to get away from that standard and become all they can be and that there is more in life that being there for a man. Beneatha’s feelings and responses to Asagai portray the general values of young African American women in this time era and how that affects their lives.

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  3. Beneatha, in Lorraine Hansberry’s play “A Raisin in the Sun,” is ultimately trying to discover herself and show she fits in the 1950s society she is living in. Beneatha’s friend Joseph Asagai visits her as well as picks on her, such as asking why she “mutilates” her hair every week (Hansberry 62). While he is only teasing, Beneatha gets defensive about it as well as stating that it’s just harder to manage “raw.” She feels that it looks neater, as she wants to keep a nicer, more professional appearance within her society. Asagai also teases her about the first time they met, as he quotes her: “Mr. Asagai – I want very much to talk with you. About Africa. You see, Mr. Asagai, I am looking for my identity!” (Hansberry 62.) While she wants to be a part of an equal community along with whites, Beneatha also wants to know more about her background so she knows where she comes from. She wants to be equal; however, she doesn’t want to just submit to what others may think of her background. Lastly, Beneatha gives Asagai the statement “You never understood that there is more than one kind of feeling which can exist between a man and a woman – or, at least, there should be” (Hansberry 63). Beneatha is trying to stress the equality factor between men and women as well as between races. She feels that she shouldn’t be deemed inferior to males or whites, and that there can be various friendships among men and women as well as relationships. Beneatha displays strong, positive social values within this chapter in her conversation, which accurately reflect values of African American women of this time period.

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    1. This comment has been removed by the author.

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    2. Your post is almost identical to Ally's post. Be sure not to read others' post before making your own because once you do it is difficult to separate their opinion from your own.

      Redo this post.

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    3. Lorraine Hansberry, in "A Raisin in the Sun," describes social values of young black women during this time period through Beneatha's thoughts and words. Beneatha cares deeply about her heritage, as seen in how defends Africans, asking her family to not ask her African friend many questions and that "they wear clothes and all that" (Hansberry 57); it's also shown that Beneatha wants to ask her friend Asagai about Africa to learn about her "identity" (Hansberry 62). Beneatha desires to know more about how her background and its importance, and to combat many common misconceptions about Africans as well. She is proud of where she comes from, and wants to factually display that pride to others. Beneatha quickly defends herself when Asagai brings up how "Assimilation is so popular in [her] country" (Hansberry 63), stating boldly "I am not an "assimilationist!" (Foster 63). Asagai is referring to how the white people of the current time period view themselves still as superior, and try to get the minorities to follow what they do and how they act. Beneatha fights this, daring to be her own person and follow her own ambitious dreams as many young women strived to do. Lastly, Beneatha disagrees with Asagai's view on men and women, at that only a certain feeling should "be enough" for a woman; however, she doesn't want to be in or simply be "someone's little episode in America" (Hansberry 63-64). Beneatha wants Asagai to understand that her, along with all women, aren't just up for men's will. She feels like many women at this time; that they were liberated, but still needed the respect that they deserved from men. Benethea had a strong sense of independence and pride for her background and gender; she understands her ancestor's struggles as many women at this time did, and respectively fights to be a respected member of society as many black women her age at the time did.

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  4. 1) Better - thanks!
    2) The fact that she wants to be a doctor should definitely have been included in everyone's post. Consider ambitions like this for future assignments regarding strong women.
    3) Remember - citations go at the very end of the sentence.

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    1. What does beneath his conversation with Joseph Asagai show us about her inner struggle as A young African-American woman?

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  5. Lorraine Hansberry in, A Raisin in the Sun, presents Beneatha Younger with the strong social values present in the hearts and minds of young African American women during the time period represented in this play, circa 1950-1960. Betheana is clearly an ambitious young lady in many ways. It was mentioned that when she first met Asagai she wanted to speak with him because she was "looking for my (her) identity" (Hansberry 62). She had a desire to understand her origins as a human being beyond just her recent family history and heritage, while gaining knowledge that would provide her insight into self-discovery. Betheana's desire to establish herself as an individual is clear with her petulant tone in response to Asagai's comment that "assimilation is so popular in your country" (Hansberry 63). She crossly exclaimed that she indeed was "not an assimilationist" (Hanberry 63). Betheana does not want to conform to social norms and stereotypes of the time for women or African Americans, rather demands success and enlightenment. It also should be mentioned that Betheana has plans to pursue her dream of becoming a doctor. This is definitely not a course many people, black and white, would expect a young African American woman to undertake. However, this provides a clear understanding that Betheana's expectations and vision for her life are not going to be affected by her race and gender, instead by her own doing and accomplishments. It continues to be evident that Betheana is a strong willed, young, African American lady who has come to represent the many women who shared the same values, drive, desire and layered ambition during this trying time period in American history.

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  6. Whoops! I meant to put the title in quotations in the first sentence!

    **** Lorraine Hansberry in, "A Raisin in the Sun," presents Beneatha Younger with the strong social values present in the hearts and minds of young African American women during the period represented in the play, circa 1950-1960.

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  7. Be careful with spelling, especially a character's name. Beneatha

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  8. Beneatha, in Lorraine Hansberry’s play " A Raisin in the Sun" presents a young strong African American women who has high hopes and dreams. Beneatha , due to her being colored faces different challenges each and everyday with trying to find a job or go to school. Beneatha wants to be a doctor and its hard for her to accomplish due to the mild hatred she faces. Beneatha has a African friend named: Asagia who really likes her and doesn't understand why she doesn't feel the same.(Hansberry 62). Beneatha instead stated"she wants to be an independent and liberated women. Beneatha is a strong black woman and she will not let her gender determine her goals in life. Beneatha continues to fight for her morals and value. Beneatha being a doctor is courageous because in this time period you would rarely find an African American women setting out for a career as big as a Doctor. Beneatha implemented a strong , vogue, Black woman who didn't let racial discrimination influence her dreams.

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    1. 1) Spacing Errors
      2) Punctuation Errors - specifically placement with citations
      3) Usage Errors - i.e. women; its vs. it's
      4) No contractions - i.e. doesn't
      5) Triple Chunk: 3 concrete details with 2 commentary per concrete detail

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  9. Beneatha in Lorraine Hansberry's "A Raisin in the Sun" wants a better life for herself when she is older which was common for the young black women of that time. Her college friend Asagai stops by and teases her and mentions how she mutilates her hair. She argues her natural hair is "not ugly- But it's so hard to manage when it's, well- raw" (Hansberry 62). This quote displays how Beneatha may not admit it, but she wants to look presentable in society and how black women struggle with their look. Asagai also jokes about how she was very serious and quotes her saying "I want very much to talk with you. About Africa. You see, Mr. Asagai, I am looking for my identity" (Hansberry 62). She was trying to achieve success in a white dominant world by striving to be a doctor. However she is attempting to discover more about herself with the help of the African clothing she received from Asagai. Beneatha then exclaims how she is "not an assimilationist" (Hansberry 63). She retaliates on the idea of how "assimilationism is so popular" (Hansberry 63). Beneatha doesn't want to be considered a part of that concept and wants to be known as her own person which shows how independent she wants to be in life. Her goals represent those of other young black women; none wanted to stay in the lower social order but wanted to make a better life for themselves disregarding their color.

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  10. Lorraine Hansberry in "A Raisin in the Sun," portrays Beneatha as a strong young black woman with the social values of the generation that helped win the civil rights movement. Beneatha's main goal is to finish medical school "to be a doctor" (Hansberry 36). This is a career field that at the time was not commonly pursued by African American women. This conveys that Beneatha is not afraid to go against what is considered socially normal and will not let her race or gender affect her dream. Beneatha is also the only one in her immediate family that has any college education. Her character is further revealed through her comments on marrying "George Murchison" (Hansberry 49). While it may be normal to find a rich man and marry him, Beneatha does not want to marry George despite his money and good looks. She would rather find someone she really likes and work her own fulfilling job. Beneatha's passion for her individualism is further displayed by her comment that she is "not an assimilationist" (Hansberry 63). This statement represents her view of her own character as being a unique individual with her own ambitions and goals. She believes that she is different and seeks knowledge and advancement past the stereotypes for African American women. Beneatha's strong individualist nature continues throughout the play and is similar to that of many women of the time that shared her drive to become independent.

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  11. In Lorraine Hansberry's "A Raisin in the Sun," Beneatha differs from the other black women in the book as far as social values and actions are concerned. In this time period, women in general were becoming more independent in nature, white women more than black women. Beneatha represents the advancement in the social expectancies of said women. She is very educated compared to the others in her family, and speaks accordingly. In the scene before this one, she talks about George, a wealthy black man who is attracted to her, and she says "I couldn't ever really be serious about George. He's-he's so shallow." ( Hansberry 48). Ruth and Lena prove to be very confused by her unwillingness to marry him for his money, but Beneatha tries to explain that she doesn't care so much about his money as she does about how she wants him to treat her socially. She wants to be seen as a person, and not an object (as does everyone). Her attempts to explain were essentially pointless though. In the next scene, a man named Asagai comes to the house. Beneatha is much more fond of him due to his respect for her on an intellectual level as well as an emotional one. Another example of her social differences and ideals come with her choice of profession. She longs to become a doctor. Walter exclaims, "Who the hell told you you had to be a doctor...you so crazy...just get married and be quiet." ( Hansberry 38). She is very adamant about being who she is, and will not tolerate anyone telling her she cannot do just that.

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  12. 1) Spacing errors in regards to in-text citations
    2) Fine

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  13. Beneatha in Lorraine Hansberry’s, “A Raisin in the Sun,” is an African American woman who differs on social values as she takes place in this 1950s phenomenon play. Beneatha is a well educated woman in hopes of becoming a doctor. An example of how her social values and ideals can be brought to attention is how she has chosen to become a doctor. Beneatha has a fellow colleague, Asagai, come over and she urges her family not to ask her African friend “a whole lot of ignorant questions about Africans.” (Hansberry 57). She is very proud of her heritage and would like to know more about her kind. When Beneath mentions to Walter that she would like to become a doctor Walter responds, "Who the hell told you you had to be a doctor...you so crazy...just get married and be quiet." (Hansberry 38). Beneatha knows who she is and what she wants to be and she won’t let anyone come between her and her education and heritage.

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