Throughout A Raisin in the Sun, Lorraine Hansberry constructs Walter’s character in a complex way. Early in the play, Hansberry portrays Walter as a selfish, narcissistic man who wants to lead his family but cannot fathom his personal weakness: immaturity.
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| Sean "Diddy" Combs as Walter Younger |
Walter has ample opportunities to support his family but is oftentimes blinded by his overzealous goals. His lack of concern for the Younger’s desires’ are displayed through his actions. He possesses an uncanny ability to shut the goals of his family members down. To reciprocate this, Beneatha sarcastically implies that Walter, like many other men, will “lead [them] out of the wilderness [and] into the swamps” (38).
Walter’s clash with his family resembles a lack of experience. Replacing the role of his father, which seems to be his intent, is not a simple task. Walter struggles with gaining the acceptance of his family because of his varying wishes for the Younger’s.
Toward the end of the play, readers have a chance to evaluate Walter as he molds into the man that he always expects to be. Upon receiving a housing opportunity in an unaccepting, predominantly-white neighborhood, Walter expects to “put on a show” and accept Mr. Lindner’s offer (142). After losing the insurance money with his investment partner, he exemplifies maturity by declining the offer. This is the first time Walter makes such a pivotal decision without being harassed by his family. Walter displays the qualities of a real leader.
Walter, ultimately, put his dreams for riches aside, and his family’s interest first, by declining this offer. Mama finally recognizes the authority of Walter. She says, “ My son said we was going to move and there ain’t nothing left for me to say” (148-149). Walter Younger was able to acknowledge his family’s wants without placing emphasis on his own.
Connecting link: http://allpoetry.com/Maturity
(This is a link to a poem by Philip Larkin that poetically describes a common maturation process)
This maturation process just goes to show how Walter is a dynamic character. He went from a young inexperienced boy to a proud, honest man. Even though he made mistakes he still found a way to come to terms with it with his family and himself. The man of the family needs to be a strong foundation and Walter showed that he could fill that role.
ReplyDeleteWalter Lee seems to be the only character that changes enough to be a true dynamic character. But then again, he is also the only one who seems to be bothered enough by the current circumstances to make a change. No one else seems to be bothered by amount of planning it takes to use the bathroom nor the fact that roaches march around like they own the place. No one else seems to believe that their circumstances can change. But Walter, sees the Younger family's potential and that's what allows him to be the dynamic character that he is: his dream for his family and his desire to achieve it.
ReplyDeleteI agree with both Marlise and Nick. Walter does truly seem like the only character who undergoes a major change, making him a dynamic character. In the beginning of this story, Walter is fixed on becoming rich quickly through his bold, unreasonable dreams. As time goes on, Walter molds into a sensible, levelheaded adult to lead his family in the right direction. Ultimately, his change in character makes his family very happy.
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