Friday, July 26, 2013

What sort of woman does George say he wants Beneatha to be?

George is an unimaginative, conventional man, and he would like Beneatha to be that way as well. He wants her to be “nice,” “simple,” “sophisticated,” to talk less, and to be unconcerned with thoughts. George is scornful of her interest in African culture, as he expresses in Act II, Scene 1, and especially of her intellect.
In Act II, Scene 2, after they return to her home after attending the theater, he is interested in kissing and she wants to talk. “We always talk” he complains. At first he says he doesn’t mind that sometimes, then changes course.

"I want you to cut it out, see—the moody stuff, I mean. I don’t like it. You’re a nice looking girl . . . all over. That’s all you need, honey. Forget the atmosphere. . . . Guys aren’t going to go for the atmosphere. They’re going to go for what they see. Be glad for that. . . . As for myself, I want a nice—(Groping)—simple (Thoughtfully)—sophisticated girl. . . . not a poet, OK?"

Bennie is confused that he seems angry, and he says he doesn’t want to hear about her thoughts. Even more confused, she asks, “Then why read books? Why go to school?” George insists that school is for credentialing, “to get a degree. That’s all. It has nothing to do with thoughts.”

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