“A Raisin in the Sun” Act II Notes
Tribal Dance
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Beneatha’s search for identity, her roots
Ruth is ironing and Beneatha appears in the Nigerian headdress and clothes that
Asagai brought her. She wants to prove that she is connected to her culture.
Beneatha acts like a Nigerian woman and chants “ocomogosiay”—she is trying to
avoid becoming an assimilationist (she is offended when Asagai calls her this)
Assimilation—when one culture becomes more like another
culture or group
Walter enters and sees Beneatha in her tribal dress. He is drunk and begins to act
out a tribal dance with Beneatha. He calls himself a warrior.
Walter, George, Beneatha
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Walter vs. George
George Murchinson enters. He sees Walter, who is drunk, acting like an African
chief. He is taken aback by what is going on in the apartment.
George picks up Beneatha to go to a play. He says “Look honey, we’re going to
the theatre—we’re not going to be in it…so go change, huh?” He also can’t
believe that Beneatha has cut off her hair.
Beneatha tells George that she hates assimilationist negroes and doesn’t want to
be one.
George mocks Beneatha and says that her heritage is nothing but spirituals and
grass huts.
Walter scrutinizes George’s clothes (cashmere sweater, ties, slacks, white shoes—
very expensive clothing) and then makes fun of them.
Walter knows that George’s dad has been good at investing and knows that he
needs financial backing in order to own a liquor store. Walter thinks that he can
talk about his ideas with George, but George brushes him off.
Walter insults George again by calling him a little boy. He also insults George’s
white shoes and the subjects he is learning in school.
Walter asks George if he is bitter. George is not bitter because he has money and
dignity—Walter lacks both of these.
Walter feels that he has big dreams and that everyone else is small minded: “Here
I am a giant—surrounded by ants! Ants who can’t even understand what it is the
giant is talking about” (85).
Beneatha gets dressed and she and George head out to the theater
Walter and Ruth—discuss the tension between them
 George calls Walter Prometheus—Walter doesn’t know who George is referring
to and takes it as an insult
 Ruth asks Walter to stop fighting him. She regrets being pregnant with the new
baby. She wants to finish going through with the abortion.
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Ruth offers Walter hot milk and coffee to sober up. She can’t seem to please
Walter no matter what she does.
Walter realizes that there is tension between the two of them. Ruth reminds
Walter that there was a time when they were hopeful. Now it is slipping away.
Mama enters with news of the house
 Mama tells Walter and Ruth that she went down town during the day. She
wonders where Travis is.
 Mama tells Travis while Walter and Ruth can hear that she bought a house. She
tells Travis that one day the house will be his.
 Mama is exited talking about the house she purchased. The house has sunlight
and much more room for everyone. However, the house is located in Clyborne
Park, a white neighborhood. Ruth, who was originally excited about the house
finds this troubling.
 Walter tells Mama that she “butchered” his dream