In Lorraine Hansberry’s play, A Raisin in the Sun, the character’s interactions with each other reveal what internal thoughts would reveal in an ordinary book. Two of the characters who are not a part of the Younger family are the men in Beneatha Younger’s life. Hailing from decidedly different upbringings, George Murchison and Joseph Asagai provide opposing viewpoints on the American way of life. Through the contrast between Beneatha’s love interests Hansberry shows the conflict between assimilation and heritage in the eyes of a young African American.
Joseph Asagai originates from Africa and expresses a strong love of his heritage throughout the play in his interactions with Beneatha. In his first appearance, Asagai refers to Beneatha by …show more content…
George Murchison originates for a well-off black family and is presumably living the assimilated American dream, which he projects onto Beneatha. She makes it very clear from the beginning how she feels about those who, like the Murchison family, have fully assimilated to the American way in search of profit. She describes rich African Americans very unfavorably. She says that “the only people in the world who are more snobbish than rich white people are rich colored people” (50). Because George and his family are the epitome of assimilation, this shows that Beneatha is not particularly fond of those who have fully left behind their African identity. Later that day, George arrives to take Beneatha out on a date. When he arrives, she is dressed in her new robes, dancing to African music. Upon seeing Beneatha in her traditional clothing, George remarks on its eccentricity. He comments that they’re “going to the theatre—we’re not going to be in it” (80). By commenting on the theatrical nature of her traditional clothing, George is downplaying the importance of culture to her. Beneatha has also cut her hair and it is its natural texture. When he first sees it, George immediately tells her how eccentric she looks. When Beneatha replies that she’s simply being natural, he counters with “That’s what being eccentric means—being natural” (80). George is …show more content…
She makes it clear, however, that she favors one over the other. When asked if she would consider marrying George, she responds “if the Youngers are waiting to see if their little Bennie is going to tie up their family with the Murchisons, they 're wasting their time” (49). Throughout the play, Beneatha shows a strong desire to find her identity, and her unwillingness to marry George shows that she feels that this relationship will counteract her own identity. Asagai, as a native of Africa, does not understand the benefits of assimilation. He remarks that “assimilation is so popular in your country” (63). While this statement does not mean much out of context, Asagai is commenting on the unnecessity of the practice, and offering Beneatha an alternative. Once Beneatha has received the gift of robes from Asagai, she spends time wearing them around the house. When Ruth asks her about them, she responds, “You are looking at what a well-dressed Nigerian woman wears....Enough of this assimilationist junk! While it is not made clear if the Youngers originally hail from Nigeria, Asagai has presented Beneatha with the gift of a culture where she fully belongs in addition to a beautiful article of clothing. Later, during George’s visit, Beneatha expresses a dislike of “assimilationist Negroes” (81). When asked to explain what she meant by that, she says that “It means
Joseph Asagai originates from Africa and expresses a strong love of his heritage throughout the play in his interactions with Beneatha. In his first appearance, Asagai refers to Beneatha by …show more content…
George Murchison originates for a well-off black family and is presumably living the assimilated American dream, which he projects onto Beneatha. She makes it very clear from the beginning how she feels about those who, like the Murchison family, have fully assimilated to the American way in search of profit. She describes rich African Americans very unfavorably. She says that “the only people in the world who are more snobbish than rich white people are rich colored people” (50). Because George and his family are the epitome of assimilation, this shows that Beneatha is not particularly fond of those who have fully left behind their African identity. Later that day, George arrives to take Beneatha out on a date. When he arrives, she is dressed in her new robes, dancing to African music. Upon seeing Beneatha in her traditional clothing, George remarks on its eccentricity. He comments that they’re “going to the theatre—we’re not going to be in it” (80). By commenting on the theatrical nature of her traditional clothing, George is downplaying the importance of culture to her. Beneatha has also cut her hair and it is its natural texture. When he first sees it, George immediately tells her how eccentric she looks. When Beneatha replies that she’s simply being natural, he counters with “That’s what being eccentric means—being natural” (80). George is …show more content…
She makes it clear, however, that she favors one over the other. When asked if she would consider marrying George, she responds “if the Youngers are waiting to see if their little Bennie is going to tie up their family with the Murchisons, they 're wasting their time” (49). Throughout the play, Beneatha shows a strong desire to find her identity, and her unwillingness to marry George shows that she feels that this relationship will counteract her own identity. Asagai, as a native of Africa, does not understand the benefits of assimilation. He remarks that “assimilation is so popular in your country” (63). While this statement does not mean much out of context, Asagai is commenting on the unnecessity of the practice, and offering Beneatha an alternative. Once Beneatha has received the gift of robes from Asagai, she spends time wearing them around the house. When Ruth asks her about them, she responds, “You are looking at what a well-dressed Nigerian woman wears....Enough of this assimilationist junk! While it is not made clear if the Youngers originally hail from Nigeria, Asagai has presented Beneatha with the gift of a culture where she fully belongs in addition to a beautiful article of clothing. Later, during George’s visit, Beneatha expresses a dislike of “assimilationist Negroes” (81). When asked to explain what she meant by that, she says that “It means