The Only Use of
pretense
in
A Raisin in the Sun
- All pretenses but living itself have long since vanished from the very atmosphere of this room.
Scene 1.1pretenses = appearances or actions to help one pretend
Definition:
a false appearance or action to help one pretend
This is sometimes seen in the expression "false pretense" or "false pretenses" which is just emphasizing that behavior or actions do not reflect the true situation.