A raisin in the sun Essay
Are dreams important? People's dreams could become their goals in life. If you don't have dreams you really don't have anything to look forward to. Dreams are mostly about your future and it’s usually positive. Dreams could also fade; things could change. Walter Lee Younger from the book a "Raisin in the Sun" by Lorraine Hansberry, goes through different changes. He has this great dream to own a liquor store by going into what he think is big business with his friends and make allot of money. But later on his dream starts to fade over different complications. Walter Lee is a selfish, frustrated man trying to reach his dream, but in the end he finds something more valuable.
Walter's dream or his big goal is the main cause of his actions and attitude towards the people in his family. Walter's mom Lena Younger receives an insurance check from her late husband. Walter decides he wants to use that money to start up his liquor business but his mom wasn't having that she had a different plan, something that might benefit the whole family. Lena puts a down payment on a little but suitable house for her family. Her family and she were tired of living in that two bed room apartment. The house also had a little garden and place for grandson could play. When Walter found out he was very upset at everyone especially his mama, but he didn't look at the bigger picture they would have a more comfortable place to stay; a place of their own. Towards the middle of the story Walter's reactions to what should have been good news was very surprising hurtful. He tells his mom that he doesn't approve of her decisions and he feels that she's the head of the house so she's in charge of the family including there dreams. "What you need me to tell you done right for? You the head of the family. You run our lives like you want to..... (p.g 562)" Walter is upset on Mama's final say with the money. This show how important that money was to Walter but it also shows how selfish he is; he just thought of himself. After this incident Mama gives Walter the rest of the money and tells him to put some away for Beneatha's medical schooling and he could do what ever he wanted with his share. In the middle of the end of the story Walter's younger sister, Beneatha takes it to heart after what Walter ended up doing with their share of the money. Beneatha tells her mom how she feels about her brother. "That's not a man. That is a toothless rat.....He's no brother of mine.....Love him there's nothing left to love (p.g 582-583)" Beneatha has no sympathy for her brother. He took his share of the money and his sisters and gave it to one of his partners to make the payment which ended up as a bad decision because he took all the money and ran with it. This shows that Beneatha's hurt she wont even accept her brother at this point. Walter did a selfish thing he not only destroyed his dream but he took his sister's away too.
Walter does not only go through the selfish stage but he is all so frustrated. His frustrations are what built his selfishness. Walter becomes very frustrated with family, his wife Ruth, his mother and younger sister Bennie except his son Travis. He feels that his family has no support for his dreams and goals they didn't believe and the thought was a bad idea which was true. Walter tells his wife about his plans with the money which he really doesn't have control or a say in what the money is used for because its not his to begin with its his mother's. " That's what you mad about, aint it? The things I want to talk about with my friends just couldn't be important in your mind, could they? (p.g 528)". Ruth doesn't approve of Walter's friends. Walter becomes frustrated with his wife because it seems to him that Ruth doesn't really care about the liquor store; she actually feels that Walter's doing business with the wrong people. In the beginning of the story Walter can't wait till Mama’s insurance check comes. Ruth is trying to get her husband and son ready for school and work which she prepares breakfast for both. Walter springs his great idea about the liquor store and going in to business with his friends BoBo and Willie Harris to Ruth. Ruth is not trying to hear Walter she tells him it's not his money to worry about. “That’s it. There you are. Man say to his woman: I got a dream. His woman say: Eat your eggs and go to work. (p,g.531)" Walter's words seem to go in one ear and out the other. Walter doesn't get why Ruth don't think Walter's idea is perfect which makes him frustrated. Walter is very determined about that liquor store.
Walter changes, but he learned from the hard way. After what happened with money Walter took some time to realize what he had done to his family; he realized that he was very selfish and he needed to care and take of his family. Mr. Linder a representative from Clyborne Park which is the area where the Younger's will be moving to. Mr. Linder was trying to convince the family not to move in that he would pay them more than what they are spending on the house. Clyborne Park is a predominately white neiborhood Linder was trying to prevent the Younger's to move in because they are black. Walter invites Mr.Linder back to their house after this situation. "We come from people with a lot of pride. I mean- we are very proud people…..(p.g 586)" Walter is telling Mr. Linder that they are proud people and that they have brought up that way. This shows that Walter Is somewhat becoming a better man. He stuck up for his family In their time of need. Because of what Walter said he let Mr. Linder know that Walter and his family are too proud to be ashamed of the color of their skin. When the end of the story came the Youngers were moving and packing to go to their new home. They're so happy and what I think proud of Walter. Mama and Ruth are the last people leaving the house Mama speaks to Ruth like woman to woman." He finally come into manhood today, didn't he? Kind of like a rainbow after the rain…( p.g. 587)" Mamas proud of Walter and It showed through her words. Walter became a man that day and a big part of that was change.
Walter turned out as a very verstile character and rather interesting. In my opinion this story ties Into Walter's character. Walter was selfish, frustrated, and he changes due to these emotions. "A Raisin In The Sun" is a good story about family, struggles, change, and how they could all come together through the ruff times. Walters dream didn’t come true but I think he got something better In return
