Act 1, Scene 2

Today we will:

1. Go over Quick Write #1 on Walter in 1.1. (Look at an example below on Mama)

2. Read Act 1 scene 2

3. Answer RITS Study Guide questions #25-29

4. Watch some of the movie

Look ahead:

*Tomorrow we will have a quiz on Act 1, scene 1

Below is an example for Mama in 1.2 (same quick write, different character):

Thesis/TAG: In Act I, scene 2 of the play A Raisin in the Sun by Lorraine Hansberry, the character of Mama is seen as (1) someone who values pride and dignity in oneself and one's family, and is also (2) confused why her children do not seem to hold these same values.
Reason: This is clear to the audience as the author reveals these views through the conversations with her children and her stories of the past.

Claim #1(include topic sentence): In 1.2 the character of Mama is portrayed as a woman who takes pride in not only herself, but also her home.
Evidence/Explain #1:In the beginning of this scene the Youngers are cleaning the apartment, when Beneatha receives a call from Joseph Asagai. She informs him, "Mama hates it if I let people come over when the house is like this," however she tells him to visit anyways. Mama replies, "You ain't got the pride you was born with!" This conversation shows the reader that Mama believes that no matter what the value of your house, you should take pride in what you own, and treat it as a home.

Evidence/Explain #2: Again, we see how important pride is to Mama when she reprimands Walter for speaking rudely to both her and Ruth. She will not allow Walter to disrespect her when he raises his voice to her stating, "I don't 'low no yellin' in this house Walter Lee..." She also demands that he respect his wife Ruth after he yells at her telling him that as long as he is in her home and her presence he will talk "civil" to his wife (1.2). This shows us how important it is that he not only respect himself, but others as well.

Claim #2 (include topic sentence and transition): The fact that Mama puts such a strong emphasis on these values, makes it especially difficult for her to deal with the fact that her children do not seem to have those values as well.
Evidence/Explain #1: Mama gets especially upset with Walter during their conversation about Walter's wanting to invest in the liquor store with Willy Harris. She tells him he is, "a good-looking boy" with "a job, a nice wife, and a fine boy" and that he should be happy but Walter disagrees saying, "that ain't nothing at all". Mama is very confused as to why Walter thinks that "money is life" and is disappointed his values are not placed on his family instead (1.2).
Evidence/Explain #2: Mama is further disappointed in Walter's lack of values when it seems he does not have her same pride and dignity. She says this is not the way she and Big Walter raised him stating, "You ain't satisfied or proud of nothing we done....that we kept you out of trouble till you was grown..." Also, she feels that he doesn't have an appreciation for the  things African-Americans valued in her day  such as "not being lynched and getting to the North" and "still have a pinch of dignity too" (1.2).

Summary: The author Lorraine Hansberry portrays Mama as a very strong character in Act I, scene 2 of the play A Raisin in the Sun. Her dialogue with her children makes it immediately clear to the audience who she is as a person and what she values.