One great example of dramatic irony, which is of course
when one character does not know something in the play that other characters and the
audience do, is in Act II when George, going out with Beneatha, says "Good night,
Prometheus" to Walter. George is making an allusion to Prometheus the Titan, who was
famous for teaching man how to make fire and was punished by being chained to a rock and
having an eagle peck out his liver every day.
Of course,
Walter does not understand the allusion and the sarcastic comment George is making.
Prometheus brought something incredibly valuable and worthy for mankind. All Walter
wants to bring is a liquor store, which doesn't really compare. Note the way in which
this allusion allows George to show off his learning and the way that following the
example of the white man places him at an advantage over Walter, who is ignorant of this
name and believes that George just made it up.
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