Beneatha Identity Quotes

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The reformation of civilization’s thoughts and discrimination has changed over the years from the culture of every ethnicity or race. Every person no matter the race has some sort of cultural tradition that has been past down from generation to generation. In the play “Raisin in The Sun” the character Beneatha has a difficult time trying to find herself. Beneatha struggles with cultural identity, finding herself, and achieving her dreams. The cultural confusion that Beneatha has driven her to look back into her original family heritage. She looks into the African tribal apparel, headwear, along with tribal language/chants influenced by Asagai. She first finds that maybe the tribal culture isn't for her when she gets into a conflict with her brother walter. A quote describing that incident is …show more content…

Beneatha wants to become a doctor but Walter and the rest of her family wonder why she just does not become a nurse instead. The fact that her family questions her dream of helping people in the way she wants too can really put her down. A quote that can explain this is when Beneatha is ranting to Asagai about her struggle, “And where does it end? […] An end to misery! To stupidity! Don’t you see there isn’t any real progress, Asagai, there is only one large circle that we march in, around and around, each of us with our own little picture in front of us – our own little mirage that we think is the future.” (Hansberry Pg 68). This quote truly expresses the pain Beneatha is going through and her confusion about life and why she must try to succeed when in the end the she thinks there is nothing. Achieving her dreams has been a huge conflict throughout the play that connects to her cultural identity and her trying to find herself. Beneatha plays a significant role on the tone of the play, her emotions affect the way Walter, Momma, and Ruth act to her and each