Read the following excerpt from Act II Scene 1 of Lorraine Hansberry's A Raisin in the Sun

Question

Time: Later the same day At rise RUTH is ironing again She has the radio going Presently BENEATHA'S bedroom door opens and RUTH'S mouth falls and she puts down the iron in

fascination

RUTH Whal have we got on tonight!

BENEATHA (Emerging grandly from the doorway so that we can see her thoroughly robed in the costume Asagai brought) You are looking at what a well-dressed Nigerian woman wears

(She parades for RUTH, her hair completely hidden by the headdress, she is coquettishiy fanning herself with an ornate onental fan, mistakenly more like Butterfly than any Nigerian that ever

was) Isn't it beautiful? (She promenades to the radio and, with an arrogant flourish, tums off the good loud blues that is playing) Enough of this assimilationist junk! (RUTH follows her eyes as she goes to the phonograph and puts on a record and turns and waits ceremoniously for the music to come up. Then with a shout -) OCOMOGOSIAY! with her

(RUTH jumps. The music comes up, a lovely Nigerian melody, BENEATHA listens enraptured, ner eyes far away "back to the past She begins to dance. RUTH is dumbfounded

Explain how stage directions add to the reader's understanding of the characters in this excerpt. Be sure to use specific details from the text to support your answer

Answer 1

The stage directions in this excerpt help to show the contrasting personalities of Ruth and Beneatha. Ruth is initially described as ironing with the radio on, suggesting she is focused on her household duties and perhaps seeking some distraction. When Beneatha emerges from her bedroom in Nigerian attire, Ruth is immediately fascinated and curious about what is happening. This reaction shows Ruth's openness to new experiences and her interest in different cultures.

Beneatha, on the other hand, is shown to be confident and proud as she parades in her Nigerian costume, arrogantly turning off the blues music playing on the radio. The stage directions describe her as grand and coquettish, demonstrating her assertion of her identity and rejection of assimilation. When she puts on the Nigerian music and dances enraptured, the stage directions show her passion and connection to her heritage. This contrast between Ruth's curiosity and Beneatha's pride helps to highlight the different perspectives and attitudes of the two characters.