Asagai is also more serious about their relationship than Beneatha is and appears not to fully understand or accept Beneatha’s “liberated college woman’s attitude.” Although Asagai is not offensively sexist, perhaps due to his Western education and worldly sophistication, still his views are traditionally African,
What kind of person is Asagai?
Asagai is charming, mannerly, personable, and quite intelligent; in spite of the cultural differences between him and the Younger family, he appears to “fit in” more with them than does George Murchison, who argues with Beneatha in front of her family and then clashes with Walter as he leaves.
What does Asagai represent?
Asagai, a symbol of Black identity in the play, argues that true freedom for Black people is not attained through assimilation, but from returning to Africa. Asagai here addresses Beneatha’s fatalistic attitude towards her dream of being doctor.
Why is Asagai important to the story?
Joseph Asagai plays a key role in A Raisin in the Sun by taking the family back to their African roots. In one of the first scenes, Joseph sends Beneatha dresses from Nigeria that are beautiful and full of life.
Why is Asagai’s nickname for Beneatha appropriate?
He has a nickname for her: Alaiyo, which means One for Whom Bread – Food – Is Not Enough. Both the gift and the name are appropriate for Beneatha, because she wants to become someone else, a better version of her current self.
What is your impression of Asagai?
What is your impression of Asagai? Very intelligent, grounded, treats Beneatha very respectfully, and proud of his heritage.
Is Asagai an idealist or a dreamer?
Asagai prefers to be a part of those idealists who achieve great things. Even though Asagai knows life will be a struggle when he returns home, he holds onto his dream for a better Nigeria because of his efforts.
How does Beneatha feel about Asagai?
Asagai obviously cares for Beneatha very much, and he wonders why Beneatha does not have the same feeling for him. She explains that she is looking for more than storybook love. She wants to become an independent and liberated woman. Asagai scorns her wish, much to Beneatha’s disappointment.
Does Beneatha like Asagai?
She dates two very different men: Joseph Asagai and George Murchison. She is at her happiest with Asagai, her Nigerian boyfriend, who has nicknamed her “Alaiyo,” which means “One for Whom Bread—Food—Is Not Enough.” She is at her most depressed and angry with George, her pompous, affluent boyfriend.
How do you pronounce Asagai?
Phonetic spelling of Asagai
- ae-s-uh-g-ay.
- asagai. Jaycee Halvorson.
- [a’zɛgai]
How old is Joseph Asagai?
Beneatha was greeted by a broad smiling across campus, 22 year old, Joseph Asagai was a slender African man, from Nigeria.
What are Asagai’s goals?
Proud of his African heritage, he hopes to return to Nigeria to help bring about positive change and modern advancements. He tries to teach Beneatha about her heritage as well. He stands in obvious contrast to Beneatha’s other suitor, George Murchison, who has succeeded in life by assimilating to the white world.
What did Asagai give to Beneatha?
Joseph Asagai brings Beneatha a gift of African records and some Nigerian robes. After he leaves, Travis brings in the insurance check from the mailbox, and Walter seizes this opportunity to discuss his business plans again.
What does Beneatha’s hair symbolize?
Beneatha’s Hair
Her new, radical afro represents her embracing of her heritage. Beneatha’s cutting of her hair is a very powerful social statement, as she symbolically declares that natural is beautiful, prefiguring the 1960s cultural credo that black is beautiful.
How did Asagai define idealists?
How does Asagai define “idealists” and “realists”? Asagai says “idealists” are people who see changes, dream, who will not give up. “Realists” are people who see only a never ending a cycle that they think is the future, but they are being deceived and they accept it.
Why was Mama getting a check for $10 000 in a raisin in the sun?
When the play opens, the Youngers are about to receive an insurance check for $10,000. This money comes from the deceased Mr. Younger’s life insurance policy. Each of the adult members of the family has an idea as to what he or she would like to do with this money.
What does Asagai symbolize in a raisin in the sun?
Asagai’s main function as a character seems to be to inject the play with symbolism. Basically, Asagi is Africa. He represents one extreme of the American debate on assimilation. His presence in the play forces the audience (and Beneatha) to ask what it truly means to be an African American.
Why is Asagai’s conversation with Beneatha important?
Asagai raises the important distinction between money that is earned and money that is simply inherited. He criticizes Beneatha’s overemphasis on money that she did not earn and scolds her for hitching her dream, however noble, to the death of her father.
Who does Beneatha end up with?
Unsurprisingly, Beneatha seems to not be into George at all by the end of the play. When we leave Beneatha at the play’s conclusion, she is even considering marrying Asagai and practicing medicine in Africa.
What was Asagai’s dream?
Asagai goes on to describe his dream: he wishes to return to Nigeria, bring back what he has learned, and share it with the people of his homeland so to improve their lives. In other words, Asagai believes in bringing modern advancements from Western society back to Africa to improve the quality of life there.
What is Asagai’s response?
What is Asagai’s response? She has no more hope or ambition left she tells him that Walter has given away the money (Page 132-133).