When Joseph Asagai urges Beneatha to run off with him to Nigeria, there's a definite clash of cultures. Joseph comes from a traditional culture in which women are treated as second-class citizens, forced to occupy a subordinate role to their menfolk. Beneatha, on the other hand, is very much a modern woman—an educated woman. She is a feminist who wants to forge a successful career in medicine.
Although on one level Joseph's offer must be rather tempting, especially as it seems that Beneatha will now find it even harder to escape her current situation thanks to Walter's profligacy, Beneatha remains wedded to her ambitions. At least for now. In due course Beneatha will seriously start to contemplate a whole new life in a whole new world. As she thinks things over, perhaps Beneatha realizes that getting married to Joseph and going with him to live in Africa represents her last chance of escaping the daily grind of poverty and lack of opportunity in inner-city Chicago.
In act 3, Joseph Asagai arrives at the Younger apartment after Walter Jr. has lost the majority of Lena's insurance money to one of his shady business partners. Beneatha is beside herself and furious at Walter Jr. for trusting Willy with the money when Asagai enters the scene. After Beneatha laments about the money, Asagai attempts to lift her spirits but is immediately shut down by Beneatha, who views him as an unrealistic idealist. Asagai then suddenly suggests that Beneatha leave America and travel back to Nigeria to be with him. Asagai tells Beneatha that he will be her African Prince and romanticizes what life will be like in Africa together. Despite Asagai's enthusiastic proposition, Beneatha tells him that she is all mixed up and needs time make up her mind. While Beneatha is fascinated by the idea of moving to Africa, she is also attracted to her dream of one day becoming a female doctor and finding success in America.
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