Beneatha Sparknotes

Beside Hansberry’s depiction of Africa through Asagai, she also portrays the significance of the ancestral past of African Americans through others characters – such as Beneatha Younger. Throughout the novel, Beneatha frequently demonstrate her pride in being able and allowed to study medicine, since her deepest desire is to become a doctor. Notwithstanding, being African American forms an obstacle in American society. Even her brother Walter Lee is unwilling to support her, as he says, “Who the hell told you you had to be a doctor? If you so crazy ‘bout messing ‘round with sick people – then go be a nurse like other women – or just get married and be quiet…” (Hansberry, 2001: 22). However, being strong-willed, Beneatha does everything possible
Asagai – I want very much to talk with you. About Africa. You see, Mr. Asagai, I am looking for my identity! [Original emphasis]” (Hansberry, 2001: 42-43) In that sense, she is very much pleased when Asagai gives her the presents he brought from Nigeria (a robe and records of Nigerian music) as she has the chance to get in actual contact with African tradition. However, given the fact that she does not even know how to wear the robe, the dancing episode emphasizes much more the drastic separation between native Africans and African Americans. Philip Uko Effiong goes even further by saying that “the entire song and dance scenario is actually stereotypical to some degree” (2009: 104). In fact, by the way she dances to Nigerian songs, referring to welcoming warriors and soldiers, she creates an image of Africa, which corresponds exactly to the Euro-American world’s imagination of African culture and traditions (cf. Poikāne-Daumke, 2006: 34). This perception of African wilderness and simplicity is a common image used to describe African stereotype. However, this scene, on the other side, is not perceived as mocking against African tradition, but rather “invokes racial pride and dignity, not savagery” (Effiong, 2009: