A Raisin in the Sun (1961), Essay Example

Assimilation is defined as the social process that involves one learning and adopting new cultural practices, norms or characteristics and harmonizing them with own. Beneatha is considered an “assimilationist” because prior to meeting Asagai she was receptive to the cultural practices of the white Americans who contrasted her African background. At the beginning of the play she has straightened hair, which after Asagai’s questioning changes her to embrace her African heritage by cutting her hair into afro. This change is strong social declaration of her belief that natural is beautiful. Despite Asagai’s international outlook and motivation for Beneatha to pursue her medical degree, his roots as an African and a Nigerian remain firm with his desire to retun home and help alleviate the social evils plaguing Africa. On the other hand, Beneatha’s second suitor George is obsessed with his African-American successful status and anticipates that assimilating into white culture assures achievement of the “American dream.” It is due to his pompous and lavish weasternized lifestyle that pushes Beneatha to accept Asagai’s suit.

As to whether “assimilationism” is good depends on the point of view of the person being “assimilationist”. Beneatha for instance is against assimilation because she considers herself more African, especially after Asagai’s questioning. The fear that adopting white culture would erode her African heritage motivates both Beneatha and Asagai to embrace most African roots and practices while shunning the white culture. On the contrary, George is the most assimilated character in the play who believes that success is derived solely from imitating whites and apart from Beneatha and Asagai’s criticism, Walter considers him a phony. Therefore, “assimilationism” can be both good and bad depending on the perspective of the “assimilationist”.

Work cited

SparkNotes Editors. “SparkNote on A Raisin in the Sun.” SparkNotes.com. SparkNotes LLC. 2002. Web. 29 Sept. 2010.