How we cite our quotes: Citations follow this format: (Act.Scene.Line). Every time a character talks counts as one line, even if what they say turns into a long monologue.
Quote #10
BENEATHA
Oh, Mama – The Murchisons are honest-to-God-real-live-rich colored people, and the only people in the world who are more snobbish than rich white people are rich colored people. I thought everybody knew that. I’ve met Mrs. Murchison. She’s a scene! (1.1.264)
George's family is one of the few black families that Beneatha has ever met that doesn't live in poverty. Of course, she is none too impressed with Murchisons and feels like their money has made them total snobs.
Quote #11
BENEATHA
I mean it! I’m just tired of hearing about God all the time. What has He got to do with anything? Does he pay tuition? (1.1.277)
Bennie suggests that having faith does not ensure financial security. It could be that the family's poverty and struggles over the years have put a strain on the Christian faith that her mother brought her up in.
Quote #12
BENEATHA
It is my business – where is he going to live, on the roof? (There is silence following the remark as the three women react to the sense of it) (1.2.54)
The family is so poverty-stricken that the birth of a new family member is bad news. There's just no more room in their tiny apartment for another person, and there's barely enough money to feed the ones who already live there.