A Raisin in the Sun Group
Question:
Does anyone have any quotes on supporting Beneatha in the fact that she wants women's independence?
I have to do a paper on it...and I left my book at school.
Answers:
-
Posted by gbeatty on Tuesday September 23, 2008 at 10:03 AM
A number of lines from the play would support the argument that Beneatha is in favor of women's independence. Take this statement from Act I as an example: "That money belongs to Mama, Walter, and it's for her to decide how she wants to use it. I don't care if she wants to buy a house or a rocket ship or just nail it up somewhere and look at it. Not ours—hers." That's a very strong support of the idea that a woman should make her own decisions, even in the context of a family when other people might have demands on her (and the money in question).
A bit later, when asked about George, she responds "Oh, I just mean I couldn't ever really be serious about George. He's—he's so shallow." To be concerned about the emotional depth of a rich man is a commitment to independence, even at financial risk.

