period 3
Act 4- A Raisin in the Sun
Ten weeks later. The setting is the dining room in the new house. The furniture is somewhat eccentric, as many different styles have been combined. There is a lot of sunlight permeating through the room. Mama and Beneatha are flitting about setting the table for dinner; you can hear Ruth banging about in the kitchen. All are happy and the mood is opposite of the sullen mood there had been in the old apartment.
BENEATHA: Mama- I have decided to go away to Nigeria with Asagai to be married and become a doctor! (Enunciates every word as she makes this proclamation)
MAMA: Lordy girl, you can’t just up and make a decision about that kind of thing without consulting your family! (Puts down silverware and sits feebly in a chair.) You are not just up and going to Africa! We just got settled here and now it’s not good enough for you? You move around too fast honey. You got to settle down for once.
(Ruth enters with her hands on her hips, one holding a serving spoon)
RUTH: (amiably) Now what’s all this chatter going on in here? You two got to get this table set before Walter gets home from work. (Sees Mama sitting in the chair) Why, Lena, what’s wrong?
MAMA: (stridently) Why this here fool girl go and tell me she is going to Africa and getting married, no less.
RUTH: (facetiously) Oh, you two are fun-ny! But really we got to get going! Walter be here any minute!
BENEATHA: (contradicting in a pronouncing tone) Oh, no I am not kidding. Asagai has asked me to marry him and I am going to do just that.
RUTH: (in a stupor) Bennie… now why would you do that to your family? BENEATHA: (doggedly) Mama, Ruth- I am not a little baby anymore. I can make my own decisions. At least I don’t sit around idle every day like some people. (Implication toward Ruth)
MAMA: (nonplussed) Girl, you know that is an empty accusation. Ruth is pregnant, and she does a heck of a lot of work for a woman in her state.
BENEATHA: (pantomimes rattling chains on her wrists) I feel trapped! I want to go out and see the world! (with vigor, and in a shout that is nearing raucous) I am just not meant to stay in one place! I am a roaming girl. I need to go and see things, exotic, different things, and Asagai can do that for me.
MAMA: The gall this girl has in her! I don’t know where she got it from. (gets up and walks to her with a gait