Act One Scene One Flashcards
“[sole natural light]”
Pathetic fallacy implicit of the lac of hope for African American families within the 1950s
“[we can see that she was a pretty girl]”
Impact of racial prejudice upon the individual
Walter: “one group of men tied to a race of women with small minds”
Irony as Walter is small-minded in his misogyny
Females within the play proven to be more subversive e.g. Beneatha’s education
Women face both racial and gender stereotypes
Walter: “go be a nurse like other women- or just get married and be quiet”
Expectation placed upon women to be caregivers, or to be silent in the face of man
Walter’s implicit lack of hegemonic masculinity due to his race causes him to seek to oppress anyone lower than him
Mama: “Lord, if this little plant don’t get more sun”
The plant stands as a metaphor for the family’s wilting dreams in an environment which doesn’t allow it to flourish: Chicago’s South Side
Ruth: “rent into this here rat-trap”
Compares the family to “rats”; society’s perception of African Americans
Alternatively, the motif of vermin and pests which pervades the text could symbolise colonialism
Mama: “ain’t nothing as dreary as the view from this window on a dreary day”
Pervasive lack of hope demonstrated through pathetic fallacy
