a raisin in the sun act 2 scene 1

For Walter, the fulfillment of Mama’s dream for a house spells the death of his own dream for owning a liquor store.

ACT II SCENE ONE Time: Later the same day. Then George Murchison enters to pick up Beneatha for their date, shocked by what he sees. George mocks her tendency to "lecture" on Africa and her interest in her heritage.

Instant downloads of all 1338 LitChart PDFs Walter, hurt, says she's the head of the family and can do as she likes, but she's destroyed his dream.

A RAISIN IN THE SUN By: Lorraine Hansberry ACT II SCENE ONE Time: Later the same day. Beneatha is more empowered through the recitation of a different language and the transformation of her hair. At the same time, Walter is resentful of George, perhaps because it is George's father and not George himself that has acquired wealth. In his drunkenness, Walter insults George's shoes then inquires about George's father's latest business deals. Mama tries to convince Walter to accept her dream and to recognize its value, but he cannot. In Walter’s eyes, the new house symbolizes the continued deferment of his dream.

Hurt, Walter snaps at George about the uselessness of his education and his failure to have bigger dreams. When George admits casually that he goes to New York a few times a year, Walter makes fun of George's elitist tendencies and expensive clothing. George doesn't want beer, a working-class drink, and would rather talk about the theater than about the bombs and their relevance to the weather. She speaks directly to Travis, knowing the significance of the youngest generation to propel the family into the promise that Walter discussed in the previous scene.

Walter’s fears about his worth as a man lead him to question George’s manhood. Study Guide Navigation; About A Raisin in the Sun; A Raisin in the Sun Summary; Character List; Glossary; Themes; Summary And Analysis.

Learn exactly what happened in this chapter, scene, or section of A Raisin in the Sun and what it means.

Summary and Analysis Act II — Scene 1 Summary. Later that Saturday, dressed in her new Nigerian robes and headdress, Beneatha dances to African music while simultaneously giving Ruth an impromptu lesson in its significance. Teachers and parents!

George and Beneatha have an argument that mirrors Mama and Beneatha's in the first scene—George understands her references more than Mama does, but he doesn't respect them.

Mama says the house was the best she could get at the lowest price. George insults their heritage while Beneatha attempts to defend it.

"Back to the past" contrasts with Walter's looking into the future in the previous scene. With his insult to Ruth about African-American women, Walter attempts to blame his own failings and insecurities on the women who surround him. Once Walter and Ruth talk earnestly, Ruth admits that she has dreams like Mama Younger had once.

Uncharacteristically, Walter embraces his African heritage, but only in a fleeting moment of fantasy. PLAY.

But for Mama the money created a possibility for Travis—who, as is implied here, in the neighborhood where they now live is getting into trouble, getting punished, and suddenly she can give him a different possibility.

Nonetheless, Ruth “softly” tries to resolve the couple’s issues, highlighting her dedication to her marriage and family. In Course Hero. Roles are shifting, and the audience isn't sure who's the head of the family now. ACT II SCENE ONE Time: Later the same day. Teachers and parents! Course Hero, Inc. As a reminder, you may only use Course Hero content for your own personal use and may not copy, distribute, or otherwise exploit it for any other purpose.