Joseph Asagai (2024)

FAQs

How is Joseph Asagai characterized? ›

Asagai is charming, mannerly, personable, and quite intelligent; in spite of the cultural differences between him and the Younger family, he appears to "fit in" more with them than does George Murchison, who argues with Beneatha in front of her family and then clashes with Walter as he leaves.

Asagai goes on to describe his dream: he wishes to return to Nigeria, bring back what he has learned, and share it with the people of his homeland so to improve their lives. In other words, Asagai believes in bringing modern advancements from Western society back to Africa to improve the quality of life there.

Joseph Asagai questions Beneatha as to why she "mutilates" her hair by straightening it. He jokes that "Assimilation is so popular in your country." To assimilate is to completely adopt the ways of another culture.

Answer and Explanation: Joseph Asagai's dream in A Raisin in the Sun is having Beneatha join him when he returns to Nigeria. By the end of the play, Beneatha reveals to her mother that he has proposed marriage.

very well... mutilated hair and all." Beneatha is shocked and confused. Asagai is teasing Beneatha about the irony of her passion for her African heritage and rejection of assimilation, integrating into the dominant culture. Asagai explains that the way she wears her hair is not natural; she straightens it each week.

In this way, Asagai argues, both Black and white American women are the same: Neither are really free. Asagai, a symbol of Black identity in the play, argues that true freedom for Black people is not attained through assimilation, but from returning to Africa.

When Asagai says goodbye, he calls Beneatha by a nickname, “Alaiyo.” He explains that it is a word from his African tribal language, roughly translated to mean “One for Whom Bread—Food—Is Not Enough.” He leaves, having charmed both women. Finally, the check arrives.

Asagai asks Beneatha to go back to Nigeria with him and begin a life with him there, then leaves her to think about it. Will Beneatha marry Joseph and move to Nigeria?

One for Whom Bread — Food — Is Not Enough Asagai gives Beneatha the Nigerian name "Alaiyo," which he translates roughly as: "One for whom bread — food — is not enough," meaning that his perception of Beneatha is that she is a totally developed person, both intellectually and spiritually, and that she demands answers to ...

Beneatha's relationship with Asagai is healthier because Asagai has a more positive view on the world, Asagai is friendlier to Beneatha's family, and Asagai cares about what Beneatha wants in her life.

Why does Asagai encourage Beneatha to cut her hair? ›

He criticizes her straightened hair, which resembles Caucasian hair, and persuades her to cut it and keep a more natural, more African look. He criticizes her independent views, but seemingly only to give her new energy and strength.

Asagai reprimands her for her lack of idealism and her attachment to the money from her father's death. He tells Beneatha about his dream to return to Africa and help bring positive changes.

3. Why is Asagai's present to Beneatha appropriate? He gave her clothing from Nigeria. She literally gets "wrapped up" in her new look on life.