Beneatha character analysis by Kai Spedding

Beneatha's Character trait

kspedding48 — 2024-12-16 16:51:47 UTC

Beneatha is an ambitious girl. She is deeply dissatisfied with hers and her family's socioeconomic position, and is determined to become successful, regardless of how much it will cost. She is doing everything in her power to become a doctor, and is practically laughed at by everyone for it. She is hurt by their laughter, but their judgement does not stop her. Beneatha is ambitious to become something great. Her ambition is best shown when Beneatha is being pressured to marry George Murchison for his wealth. She is apprehensive because, as she describes "he's so shallow". upon hearing this Ruth says "Well she'll get over some of this-" Beneatha " Get over it? what are you talking about, Ruth? Listen, I' m going to be a doctor. I'm not worried about who I'm going to marry yet-- if I ever get married."(Hansberry 51).

Beneatha's Character perspective

kspedding48 — 2024-12-16 17:01:18 UTC

Beneatha's perspective is vastly different from the rest of her family. She does not restrain herself with the typical roles of a woman, instead aiming to achieve what is though impossible for a women, and that is to be a doctor. Only 6 precent of doctors in America were women in the year 1950, it was essentially unheard of, but Beneatha strives for change in her generation. Beneatha is also very educated in African politics. As African American culture was growing, awareness of the politics and culture in Africa was becoming more widespread knowledge among African Americans. Beneatha takes time to educate herself on this topic, and has some strong opinion about it, as shown in this scene from the play. (57)

conflict resolution style

kspedding48 — 2024-12-18 21:39:39 UTC

Beneatha's conflict resolution style is that of the lion. She is strong willed, doesn't back down, and knows her values. Beneatha is strong willed like her brother, this is shown when she is arguing with Mama about using the Lords name in vein. Beneatha continues to use the Lords name, even after her mother directly told her not too (Hansburry, 49). Beneatha doesn't back down, and doesn't always care for the repercussions of it, such as getting slapped.

Art piece

kspedding48 — 2024-12-18 21:48:09 UTC

I believe this sculpture connects to Beneatha because it is modern, unseemly to those who do not understand it, especially those who are of an older generation, and it has a modern look to it while still being colorful. The sculpture is also abstract, which I think Beneatha would resonate with a lot. I think she has trouble knowing who she is and where her emotions are coming from and how she even feels about thing. So I think abstract art would speak to her mind the most. Abstract art is bound by no rules, and I think Beneatha would greatly admire that.

I Wont back down, Tom Petty and the Heart Breakers

kspedding48 — 2024-12-18 22:18:10 UTC

"Well, I know what's right

I got just one life

In a world that keeps pushin' me around

But I'll stand my ground

And I won't back down"

song explanation

kspedding48 — 2024-12-18 22:19:40 UTC

I chose "I won't back down by Tom Petty and the Heart Breakers because I think the lyrics describe Beneatha's attitude towards life. She refuses to give up her dreams, even though she wasn't born into success, and nobody takes her seriously. I would imagine that Beneatha feels like the world is pushing her around, as it says in the song, but similar to the song, she doesn't back down. And by back down I am referring to her dream of becoming a doctor. She continues to go to school and strive for success even though it's unlikely, and she is harshly made fun of for it.

Theme

kspedding48 — 2024-12-20 03:18:36 UTC

The theme of A Raisin in the Sun, by Laraine Hansberry is poverty and it effects on a group of people, for instance, a family. This theme is most obviously shown in the play when Walter says to his wife Ruth "WALTER It’s been rough, ain’t it, baby? (She hears and stops but does not turn around and he continues to her back) I guess between two people there ain’t never as much understood as folks generally thinks there is. I mean like between me and you—(She turns to face him) How we gets to the place where we scared to talk softness to each other. (He waits, thinking hard himself) Why you think it got to be like that? (He is thoughtful, almost as a child would be) Ruth, what is it gets into people ought to be close?

RUTH I don’t know, honey. I think about it a lot.

WALTER On account of you and me, you mean? The way things are with us. The way something done come down

between us." ( Hansberry, 90). In this quote we see Walter drop his typical emotional wall he typically has up. And in an intimate conversation with his wife, he shares his thoughts about their situation. Asking how it all ever came to this. Walter is an angry, defensive, and insecure character. Who isn't the type to acknowledge his behavior or allow himself to feel vulnerable, as he would in a conversation like the one him and Ruth were having. When he did let go of his emotional wall for a second, he expressed his intense displeasure for the way the family is living, for the way he is living. Walter was initially opposed to the idea of Mama buying a house with the money, but as he thought about it, he realized that it would completely change the families life for the better. especially the life of his son and child on the way. Each member of the family has coped with their poverty and discomfort differently, but it strains their relationships and over all success the same. The family is stressed, angry, and disappointed in their stagnant financial position. Poverty takes a massive toll on the individual, but an even greater toll on the collective. Poverty rips it's way through a once tightly nit communities and turns them against each other. Because money isn't all that matters, until it is. Until families are packed in the same cramped apartment, struggling to make ends meet. Money isn't all that matters until the lack there of ravages through a family until there is nothing left.