Beneatha Quotes

In the play Beneatha struggles with race and social justice because she doesn’t believe in “the man” like mama does, she believes that the people are more underappreciated for their hard work, and that women have the same right as men. In other words, Walter starts to argue with Beneatha in the play about how women should do what they’re supposed to do. For example, Walter says, “Who the hell told you you had to be a doctor? If you so crazy ’bout messing ’round with sick people—then go be a nurse like other women—or just get married and be quiet …” This quote represents Beneatha’s belief that women have the same right as men. Walter is being unreasonable about how Mama’s money should be put to good use. That he basically makes Beneatha feel like she’s less than a woman and she should do what women are “best” at doing. Which in this case is throwing her back out like Ruth and Mama to clean other …show more content…
Well… in the play Beneatha struggles with her race. She wants to know her culture. She wants to know where she comes from, what food she should eat, what to wear, how to be in her life. Being with Asagai has helped her mind expand her ways of thinking. Not only that but, he has helped her become her own person. Just letting Beneatha own what she feels is right as long as her mind is in the right place as well as her heart. Introducing you to another example from the play is when Asagai visits Beneatha at her home, he says “ Do you remember the first time you met me at school? … (He laughs) You came up to me and you said—and I thought you were the most serious little thing I had ever seen—you said: (He imitates her) “Mr. Asagai—I want very much to talk with you. About Africa. You see, Mr. Asagai, I am looking for my identity!” (He laughs).” In this quote, it definitely proves that Beneatha has been trying to find the kind of person she is, by having Asagai help her, by knowing what her culture is like. Being able to express her culture, thanks to