Book Review: "A Raisin In The Sun": African Culture

Monday, May 19, 2008

African Culture

6) Joseph Asagai brings the African culture into the Younger family's home through his relationship with Bennie. As she discovers her African heritage, she falls in love with African culture, attire, and customs. Joseph teaches Bennie a lot about culture in Nigeria (his homeland). What is it that Bennie gets so interested in this new culture? How do you know that she is interested? Use examples from the play.

3 comments:

Anonymous said...: Bennie gets so interested in Asagai's culture. She likes the fact that Asagai adores her. She is also interested in the way that Nigerian women carry themselves. When Asagai bought her that wrap he showed her the way women in Nigeria wear it. Bennie is interested in all aspects of the African culture. Readers can tell that she is interested because she was always talking to Mama, Ruth, and Walter about it. She even talked to George about it. When George came to pick her up for their date she was wearing African garb. During the play Bennie and Walter did an African dance to African music. Bennie loved the way that Nigerians lived and carried themselves.
KIA; May 22, 2008 at 6:54 AM
Anonymous said...: Bennie is definitely in love with the African culture that Asagai brings to the Younger household. When Asagai gives her the robe she walks aroudn the hosue like a model and shows it off to everyone.
Also when her and Walter were listening to the chant shows her interest in the African culture.
RJV; May 22, 2008 at 6:59 AM
Anonymous said...: In the play, Bennie is searching for her identity and her dreams. When Joseph begins teaching her about the African culture, she feels like it is a piece of her and she might really belong. Not only this draws her to the culture but she is attracted to the clothing and lifestyle of the women in Africa as well. You can tell that she is interested when she asks Joseph questions about Africa and also when Walter and her start to act like they’re back in Africa.

SMZ; May 27, 2008 at 5:50 PM

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"A Raisin In The Sun"

"A Raisin In The Sun," is a play by Lorraine Hansberry that takes the viewer through the struggles of the Younger family. Lena, the grandmother is awaiting for the arrival of an insurance check from her husband's death that could change the lives of all the Younger's. Beneatha, Lena's daughter is a noncomformist who wants to become a doctor, but she struggles to find her identity throughout the play. Beneatha gets help finding her identity by means of Joseph Asagai. Joseph teaches Beneatha that she cannot pretend to be something that she is not and that she has to accept who she really is. Walter, Lena's son, is a chauffeur for a rich white man and is fed up with not being able to provide the life he wants for his family. Walter's dream is to open a liqor store and have a successful business. Ruth, Walter's wife is shy and never expresses her feelings, so you never know Ruth's dream until her catharsis moment; Ruth breaks down and expresses all she wants is to live in a home and have a backyard for her son to play in . Travis, is Ruth and Walter's son and all he wants to do is live a normal life, but it's difficult when his parents can't supply him with money like his other friends. When the insurance check finally arrives, Lena decides to buy a home in Clybourne Park, a white community. A representative from the neighborhood goes over to Younger home to try to buy the home back from the Younger's because the community doesn't want any problems with a black family moving in. Lena then gives the rest of the money to Walter and hopes he can finally make a good decision in his life. However, Walter gives all the remaining money to a friend who eventually steals the money. Walter's friend was supposed to get the liqor license for the store. Everyone's dreams are crushed and Lena decides not to move to the white neighborhood. However, Walter finally steps up and becomes a man and makes the decision that the family will move to the new home. The play is full of catharsis moments, historical references, and personal connections.