A Raisin in the Sun: Act 2, Scene 2 Summary & Analysis

On a Friday night a few weeks later, George and Beneatha enter the apartment after a date. Packing crates, signifying the family’s upcoming move, dot the room. As George and Beneatha sit on the couch, George tries to kiss her, but Beneatha pulls away, attempting to continue their conversation. “Exasperated,” George tells Beneatha to cut out “the moody stuff” and “not spoil” the evening. He states that Beneatha is a “nice-looking girl” but that he doesn’t date her “to hear all about your thoughts.” In response, Beneatha asks George about the purpose of getting an education, to which George answers that the point is simply to “pass the course – to get the degree.” Having heard enough, Beneatha tells George good night. George exits and passes Mama as she enters the apartment.

Mama asks Beneatha about her date, and Beneatha responds by telling her mother that, “George is a fool.” Mama replies matter-of-factly by saying that Beneatha shouldn’t waste her time “with no fools.” Touched by her mother’s response, Beneatha thanks Mama for “understanding me this time.” Beneatha exits and Mama smiles.

Ruth enters and Mama asks if Walter is home. Ruth says that he is and implicitly adds that Walter is drunk. Someone knocks on the door and Ruth and Mama share a “weary and knowing” look, aware that it is their meddling neighbor. Ruth opens the door and Mrs. Johnson enters, carrying a newspaper. Mama and Ruth politely greet Mrs. Johnson, who brazenly pats the pregnant Ruth’s stomach and states that she is “just soooooo happy for y’all” in reference to the Youngers’ coming move. Mama, “doubting the total sincerity” of Mrs. Johnson’s comments, nonetheless maintains her politeness, offering Mrs. Johnson a slice of pie.

Mrs. Johnson asks Mama and Ruth if they “seen the news what’s all over the colored paper this week,” eagerly telling them “with the spirit of catastrophe” that an African-American family was “bombed” out of his home in a white neighborhood of Chicago. Mrs. Johnson continues melodramatically, insincerely saying that she thinks that, “It’s wonderful how our folks keeps on pushing out.” In her speech, Mrs. Johnson uses the term “nigger,” which angers Mama, who doesn’t allow the word to be used in her house.

In a not-so-subtle way, Mrs. Johnson asks for a cup of coffee, which Ruth and Mama give her. Mrs. Johnson then asks about Walter, going on to discuss his ambition and good looks and guessing that it was his idea to move the family to Clybourne Park. Mrs. Johnson imagines next month’s headlines in the colored newspaper, gleefully and dramatically suggesting, “NEGROES INVADE CYLBOURNE PARK – BOMBED!” Ruth and Mama gaze at Mrs. Johnson “in amazement,” and she disingenuously adds that of course she hopes that no harm will befall the Younger family.

Wearing a bathrobe, Beneatha enters from her bedroom and heads to the bathroom. On her way, she “crisply” says hello to Mrs. Johnson, who is insulted by Beneatha’s curt manner. After Beneatha exits, Mrs. Johnson tells Mama and Ruth that Beneatha acts as if she “ain’t got time to pass the time of day with nobody ain’t been to college.” Mrs. Johnson then mentions Walter’s dissatisfaction with his work as a chauffeur, but states that he shouldn’t be ashamed because there “ain’t nothing wrong with being a chauffeur.” Mama objects, saying that there is “plenty wrong” with it and repeating her late husband’s belief that “being any kind of servant wasn’t a fit thing for a man to have to be.”

Mrs. Johnson bristles at Mama’s speech, declaring that the Youngers are “one proud-acting bunch of colored folks.” She then quotes assimilationist Booker T. Washington’s dictum that, “Education has spoiled many a good plow hand.” Mama responds by calling Washington a “fool.” Offended, Mrs. Johnson exits. Beneatha reenters and Mama lightly scolds her behavior towards Mrs. Johnson, to which Beneatha responds, “If there are two things we, as a people, have got to overcome, one is the Ku Klux Klan – and the other is Mrs. Johnson.” Beneatha exits.

The telephone rings and Ruth answers it. Mrs. Arnold, the wife of Walter’s employer, is on the line and tells Ruth that Walter hasn’t been to work in three days. She warns Ruth that Mr. Arnold will find a new chauffeur if Walter doesn’t come in tomorrow. Ruth, unaware of her husband’s absences, nonetheless covers for Walter, telling Mrs. Arnold that Walter has been very ill. Ruth hangs up and asks Walter, now standing in the bedroom’s doorway, about his behavior. Walter tells Mama and Ruth that he spent the three days by himself, driving around in Willy Harris’ car and walking around Chicago. He says that he went to a bar called the Green Hat, where he listened to the “best little combo in the world.” Ruth exits and Mama continues to listen to Walter’s dejected and drunken ramblings.

Overcome with guilt, Mama realizes that she has unknowingly contributed to Walter’s descent into depression by refusing to support his dream for a liquor store. She admits that, “I been doing to you what the rest of the world been doing to you,” but explains to Walter that she “ain’t never really wanted nothing that wasn’t for you.” She takes an envelope from her handbag and places it in front of Walter. She explains that she has already paid $3,500 as a down payment on the house. She gives control over the remaining $6,500 of the insurance payment to Walter. She tells him to put $3,000 in a savings account for Beneatha’s schooling but gives him complete control over how to spend the rest of the money. Mama makes Walter “head of this family from now on like you supposed to be.” Mama exits.

Deeply moved by his mother’s gesture, Walter is filled with a sense of “mingled joy and desperation.” Travis enters for bed and Walter “sweetly” begins to talk him. Walter asks his son “what kind of man” he wants to be when he grows up. Travis answers that he wants to be a bus driver, but Walter says that Travis’ dream “ain’t big enough.” Walter tells Travis that “after tonight” he will be able to provide financially for the family. He says that he plans to make a “business transaction” that will change their lives. Walter continues to talk, dreaming of the “elegant” car and home that he will buy for his family. He tells Travis that on his seventeenth birthday, Travis will be able to pick whichever college he wants to attend “and you’ll go.” Walter proudly proclaims that he will “hand” Travis “the world!”