Home > A Raisin in the Sun Summary & Study Guide > A Raisin in the Sun Group > Discussion Board

In A Raisin in the Sun, Asagi's pet name for Beneathea is Alaiyo, which translates as "one for whom bread is not enough." Does this name fit Beneathea? How does the name apply to African Americans as a community in the United States at that time in history? Does it still apply to a segment of our society today?

This pet name certainly fits Beneatha.  While bread is enough to sustain and sustain only, Beneatha wants more out of life than this.  This is proven by her consistent search for her identity that the rest of her family teases her about but that Asagai understands about her. 

At that time in history, this pet name would most likely have applied to many African Americans as they struggled to build a society in which they could nourish, not just sustain, their lives.  Arguably, it could be a pet name for Walter Lee as well.  Although they go about it in different ways, both brother and sister strive for more out of life than they've been given by society.

I'm sure it does still apply to a segment of our society today, and probably always will.  There are always people who strive for more than what is typically expected of them.  Hopefully this will cease to be an issue of racism, however.

Wow. Thank you. That clears a bit up for me. Im glad i stumbled onto this website with active posters.