Act
I, Scene II has exposed a lot about Walter Lee Younger’s personality. Throughout
Act I, Scene II, Lorraine Hansberry does a wonderful job using actions to show
the selfishness, stubbornness, and cowardice of Walter.
In the opening scene, Walter is asked about the
whereabouts of his wife and his response was, “(As he exits) How should I know!” (55). After that was said, he
leaves the building and off to go pursue his wants. How can a husband not even
care where his supposed loved one is and just go about his day like nothing
happened? He is selfish for only worrying about himself and what he has to do
to make the investment in the liquor store. Walter’s only worry is the “check”.
As soon as he comes in on page 70, he immediately states, “Did it come?’ asking
if the check was delivered yet. Walter is so concerned and caught up with
spending the 10 thousand dollars that he doesn’t even consider what anyone else
wants to do with the money. |
| (GIF edited by Andrew He) |
Walter refuses to turn down his idea and dream in
investing in a liquor store. I understand that, he is chasing his dream of
becoming rich, but he dismisses all other possible ways of fulfilling his
dream. Clearly Mama is not going to support investing in a liquor store because
it is against her belief, but Walter still insists on pushing with investing in
a liquor store. “You just don’t understand, Mama, you just don’t understand.”
(74). Although his mother turns down his suggestion, Walter is stubborn it just
won’t listen and continues to try and convince his mother to give in on his
plan.
“You… you are a disgrace to your father’s memory.” (75).
When Walter needed to stand up, and do something about the difficult situation
at hand, he just walks out the door. He couldn’t even stand up to his wife and
do something about it. That has been a common action for him to do when things
get frustrating and it just represents his cowardice, his lack of courage to face
difficult situations.
There is so much characterization revolving around Walter, that it is hard to ignore the fact that other characters are a foil to him. Many characters serve as a contrast to Walter Lee, but I'm going to focus solely on Ruth. Walter has big dreams, but Ruth is hardworking and doesn't ask for much. She is constantly cooking, cleaning, and ironing despite experiencing illness, but when Walter feels like he isn't getting his way, he fails to go to work and instead goes to drown his sorrows down at the local bar.
ReplyDeleteWalter is also characterized as a man in a struggling family who believes he has the answer to their economic deficiency. He does not serve as significant contributor in the family's finances, yet still feels he is entitled to make the decisions in the household. Like many men, Walter feels that he should be the person who focuses on keeping his family financially stable. Walter is merely a man filled with hubris, and he neglects to realize this.
ReplyDeleteWhat’s Walter wanted
ReplyDeleteWalter Lee, is the most selfish character in the play. Not only does he spend his money, that Mama gave him, he spends Benetha's as well. He doesn't even consider her dream. He only thinks of himself and his foolish dream. He doesn't care about his mother, wife, sister, child and his unborn child. Anything he has to do to get what Walter Lee wants he'll do. I donot like this character his selfishness almost destroys this family. Walter did not learn his lesson he only became agreeable because Mama gave in to him and gave him the money. That's when he started acting like a human being. He was happy because he got his way. A narcissist. In the end he was still trying to get his way. He was not happy to move there.
ReplyDelete