What do Asagai and Beneatha represent in the play?

Asagai symbolizes tradition and cultural identity. He causes Beneatha to question who she is and look to her roots for her identity.

Beneatha represents the modern, well educated African American woman in the midst of an identity crisis. Asagai makes her think and question; he points out her complete assimilation into the American culture. Note, her family has been in America for several generations. Because of this, Beneatha begins to question herself, who she is. Asagai's arguments lead her to changing her style of dress, the way she wears her hair, and the way she thinks about the future.