Throughout the play A Raisin in the Sun, by Lorraine Hansberry, division of race and family are prominent figures. In the time of this story, characters are faced with a choice of who they aspire to be. Within these struggles for unity, the author uses clothing to represent people's assimilation into different cultures. George's white shoes, Asagai's native African clothing, and Beneatha's transition into different style, represent who they are and the culture they want to represent. George Murchison, Beneatha’s initial suitor, is a definite example of assimilation, and one’s ability to choose their image. As an African-american man, George prefers finer things, the things that Walter or Asagai might view as “white” things. This is shown
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Throughout the course of the night, Asagai’s charm and individuality is shown to Mama. He gives Beneatha a name that means “One for Whom Bread is Not Enough”. This represents the potential he sees in Beneatha. Without using any comparisons or metaphors, the author uses Asagai’s clothing to clearly represent his afrocentric beliefs and his pride in his Nigerian culture.
The biggest example of one trying to find who they are is Beneatha. She is stuck in a point in her life where she can either break traditional barriers, or live similarly to many other american people. Asagai tells her that her straight hair, her own college style clothing represent that she wants to be “white”. She has to choose between two sides, Asagai’s progressive and Afrocentric opinions, or George and Walter’s stereotypical and traditional views.
“Opening the package and drawing out the colorful robes of Nigerian women” …show more content…
This clothing represents George’s close mindedness and disrespect towards Nigerian culture, but also impacts Beneatha. She is mad, and pouts as she changes. When she puts on her fancy, theatre clothes, she becomes mad and even more so, oppressed. Oppressed because she can’t show her beliefs through clothing. This situation is opposite to the one with Asagai. This foreshadows that through clothing, her decision to pursue a relationship with Asagai is evident. Asagai’s clothing makes her happy and allows her to represent her
Throughout the course of the night, Asagai’s charm and individuality is shown to Mama. He gives Beneatha a name that means “One for Whom Bread is Not Enough”. This represents the potential he sees in Beneatha. Without using any comparisons or metaphors, the author uses Asagai’s clothing to clearly represent his afrocentric beliefs and his pride in his Nigerian culture.
The biggest example of one trying to find who they are is Beneatha. She is stuck in a point in her life where she can either break traditional barriers, or live similarly to many other american people. Asagai tells her that her straight hair, her own college style clothing represent that she wants to be “white”. She has to choose between two sides, Asagai’s progressive and Afrocentric opinions, or George and Walter’s stereotypical and traditional views.
“Opening the package and drawing out the colorful robes of Nigerian women” …show more content…
This clothing represents George’s close mindedness and disrespect towards Nigerian culture, but also impacts Beneatha. She is mad, and pouts as she changes. When she puts on her fancy, theatre clothes, she becomes mad and even more so, oppressed. Oppressed because she can’t show her beliefs through clothing. This situation is opposite to the one with Asagai. This foreshadows that through clothing, her decision to pursue a relationship with Asagai is evident. Asagai’s clothing makes her happy and allows her to represent her