Theme Of Dreams In Walter Lee Younger

715 Words2 Pages
bulb-icon

Recommended: what was walter lee dream

In the play, each of the characters has a different set of dreams or outlooks on how to fulfill their lives. These dreams are what inspire various members of the family to perceive life in a much more optimistic perspective. However, some of these dreams also can cause one to give up and undermine the precious gift of life in the present time which ultimately can lead to poor decisions in the future. From $10,000 to being broke completely, the Youngers realize that the most important aspect is to stick together amidst differentials within the context of their dreams to fight against a much bigger issue, racial discrimination. We are introduced to Walter Lee Younger, a young man obsessed with his business proposal, hoping to use the money to …show more content…

However, his mother has always tried to instill in him that dreams are far more important than materialistic gains. The interaction between Walter and Mama that occurs in Act I, Scene II adds an inside perspective on how this check has somewhat brought division between Walter’s altered views of dreams and misunderstanding their importance. The play states:
MAMA: Oh—So now it’s life. Money is life. Once upon a time freedom used to be life—now it’s money. I guess the world really do change . . .
WALTER: No—it was always money, Mama. We just didn’t know about …show more content…

The adaptive nature of his greed perpetuates Walter into realizing self-growth in regards to who he is as a man without money or pricy accessories. As we can see in the play Walter’s dream is not all materialistic, he only wishes to provide for his family and remove their cares about life. Upon hearing the news that Walter had lost the money the family goes through a period of emotional distraught and hatred towards him. However, Mama says, “There is always something left to love. And if you ain’t learned that, you ain’t learned nothing. Have you cried for that boy today? I don’t mean for yourself and for the family ‘cause we lost the money. I mean for him: what he been through and what it done to him. Child, when do you think is the time to love somebody the most?..”(Hansberry 573). For Walter seeing his business proposal fail and him losing the money allows a moment of epiphany. The best dream an individual can have is that of a complete house in which the family doesn’t have to worry about food, clothing, or shelter because in the end love conquers all and to be loved is far more valuable than any proposal suggested on Earth. Although we are introduced to Walter Lee Younger as a poor broke down man only after self-achievement we soon realize that he’s also only wanting better for

Show More
Related

  • A Raisin In The Sun Walter Quotes

    526 Words  | 2 Pages

    that a discontented individual is often unable to take ownership of his life until he realizes that he must set a good example for his children. Walter is a protagonist who seems to only care about himself. He is really dependent on his mama's huge insurance check. Walter wants his mama's check so he and Willy Harris can open up a bar. This character continues to go down the wrong path until something tragic happens.

    Read More

  • Comparing The Great Gatsby And A Raisin In The Sun

    805 Words  | 2 Pages

    In act one of the play, Walter proclaims that “money is life”(Hansberry 74) , meaning that one’s success was defined by how much money he or she had. Throughout the play, Walters and Beneatha’s views on wealth clash because according to Walter, money is the answer to all of their issues while Beneatha constantly reminds him that the money was mama’s and she could do whatever she wants with it whenever he pressed on about buying the liquor store. In scene two of act two, after mama gives Walter the money, Walter explains to his son Travis in a long speech how he will invest the money and what kind of life they will live once the business is successful, this also included sacrificing Beneatha’s school money. This speech also shows Walters “American Dream”. Unfortunately, Walter trusted the wrong man with his money and ended up losing it all. He fails to start the business he had his heart set on and the family ends up moving into Clybourne

    Read More

  • Essay On Walter Sacrifice In A Raisin In The Sun

    596 Words  | 2 Pages

    When offered a bribe to not move his African American family into an all white neighborhood, Walter declines the money, proving his development of courage. As a limousine driver for wealthy, white businessmen, Walter is ashamed of his life and desires a change. In order to achieve the lifestyle he wants, Walter must develop the courage to pursue his dreams. Throughout the play, Walter Younger and his family begin to see a shift in opportunity and believe that they can build themselves a life to be proud of. Their newfound hope continues to grow until Walter loses the insurance money, diminishing all opportunities for a better life. At this moment in the play, Walter hits rock bottom and is prepared to accept the bribe from the white neighbors. If he takes this bribe, Walter is submitting himself to the white community and degrading his race, as a whole. Despite his desperation, Walter realizes that he must make an example to his son, Travis, and prove his courage. In order to do this, Walter declines the offer and defies segregation. By

    Read More

  • Walter Lee Younger in Lorraine Hansberry's A Raisin In The Sun

    1051 Words  | 3 Pages

    No matter how hard they try, there are some people who cannot get ahead in life. Walter Lee Younger is a man who is frustrated with his current position in life, and every disappointment he has encountered thus far. Although he tries to be a loving man, sometimes he does not know how to show the idea of love, 'Sometimes...sometimes...I don't even know how to try' (Hansberry 89). His position in life can be regarded as symbolic of every black male struggling to provide for his family by any means necessary. Although Walter has a job, it seems inadequate for his survival. As a result, he has become frustrated and lacks good judgement. Throughout this play Walter searches for the key ingredient that will make his life blissful. His frustrations stem from him not being able to act as a man and provide for his family and grasp hold of his ideals to watch them manifest into a positive situation. Walter Lee Younger, a man who is vehement for his family, has many ambitions in life, and dreams of the biggest dreams out of anyone else in the play.

    Read More

  • Walter Lee and Manhood in A Raisin in the Sun by Lorraine Hansberry

    744 Words  | 2 Pages

    Readers can see early on in the play the importance of money to Walter Lee. In a scene in Act 1 we see Walter trying to talk his mother, Lena, into giving him the money to invest in a liquor store. We can see him growing more and more agitated with her because she has already made her decision on the matter. Walter responds by saying,

    Read More

  • Dreams, Pride, and Loyalty: A Raisin in the Sun

    944 Words  | 2 Pages

    Walter Younger plays both the protagonist and antagonist. Walter dreams of being like the rich people he drives around, becoming wealthy, providing for his family the rich people do. He seems to feel that he didn’t have much in his family, besides the family itself and he wants to give his family what he never had. Economic hardship make walter feel enslaved and also the economic hardship has deferred his dream. His character evolves throughout the play and with it does the pride and loyalty of the family. Walter is unsure of his position as the man in charge of the household at first. In the beginning most of his actions hurt the family, however his sudden rise to his position “made him sort of a hero in the last scene.� This “heroism� is what showed the families pride in order to complete a dream. “He speaks of his father’s hard work and the dignified way in which he conducted his life. Then, drawing Travis to him, Walter rejec...

    Read More

  • Character Analysis Of Walter Younger

    729 Words  | 2 Pages

    Everyone would like to support their family financially and achieve financial success in their lives. Walter Younger is a thirty-five year old, married man who, is a limousine driver and has dreams like each one of us. Walter represents a 1950’s African-American male, who struggles, but tries to secure economic prosperity. Walter Younger has a dream to open a liquor store and he believes that this store will lead his family to The American Dream. A dream is a hope or a wish and Walter Younger, who is the hero and the villain of the play, wants to use Mama’s 10,000 to open up the liquor store. Walter Younger’s family is an African-American family that is struggling in poverty, but Walter’s idea of financial stability could lead the family to

    Read More

  • The American Dream in A Raisin in the Sun

    1195 Words  | 3 Pages

    Primarily, in A Raisin in the Sun Walter is an example of one struggling to achieve their dream or desire. Walter serves as the hero and villain of the play due to the actions he takes revolving his dream. “Walter, who firmly believes in the American Dream of economic independence, wants to own his own business, and a liquor store, because he despairs over what he perceives to be his inability to support the family and to provide for his son’s future” ( __ __ ). Walter’s dream is to be sole the provider for his household and give his family a better life. He plans by doing this through a liquor store investment with the insurance money given to Mama from Big Walters death. “In the play Walter loses much of the insurance money that he planned to invest on a liquor store to a con artist” ( ___ ___ ). Walter’s decision on investing in a liquor store turns out to be a horrific choice. In the play although Walter is regretfully deceived and looked down upon as a result of the liquor store ambition, he makes up for it by at the end finally reaching his manhood. During the time of the play the husband of the family is mainly the sole provider for the family. In the case of the play, Walters mother is the sole provider for the family. Walter strives to be the “man” of the house.“A job. (Looks at her) Mama, a job? I open and close car doors all day long. I drive a man around in his limousine and I say, “Yes, sir; no, sir; very good, sir; shall I take the Drive, sir?” Mama, that ain’t no kind of job. That ain’t nothing at all. (Very quietly) Mama, I don’t know if I can make you understand” ( Hansberry , Pg.73). “Walter minimizes the position of a car driver because to him it diminishes his manhood and his sense of individual worth.

    Read More

  • Dream Deferred in A Raisin in the Sun

    1053 Words  | 3 Pages

    ...ccomplish this if they all understand what is important in life. All of Mama’s dreams are eventually recognized, although they certainly appear hazy throughout the play. The question about whether or not they should keep the house forms inside Mama’s head near the end of the play, but she quickly changes her mind. Mama never lost sight of her goals, no matter how hard nature attacked them.

    Read More

  • Essay Outline for Conflict in Lorraine Hansberry's A Raisin in the Sun

    521 Words  | 2 Pages

    III. Individual Dreams Vs. Family Responsibilities - A central conflict in the play arises when there is disparity between the individual's dreams and his/her familial responsibilities

    Read More

  • Lorraine Hansberry's A Raisin In The Sun - Money

    611 Words  | 2 Pages

    Living in a society where the fulfillment of dreams is based upon material wealth, the Younger family strives to overcome their hardships as they search for happiness. As money has never been a way of life for the family, the insurance check's arrival brings each person to see the chance that their own dreams can become reality. Whether in taking a risk through buying a "little liquor store" as Walter wishes to do or in -"[wanting] to cure" as Beneatha dreams, the desires of the family depend upon the fate of Mama's check. In the mind of Walter Lee Younger, the check is the pinnacle of all, dominating his thoughts, as he does not wait a second before "asking about money "without" a Christian greeting." He cannot see beyond the fact that he "[wants] so many things" and that only their recently acquired money can bring them about. The idea of money and being able to hold it "in [his] hands" blinds him from the evils of society, as he cannot see that the Willy Harris's of the world will steal a person's "life" without a word to anyone. When money becomes nothing but an illusion, Walter is forced to rethink his values and his family's future, realizing that there is more to living that possessing material riches.

    Read More

  • Potato Chicken Power

    847 Words  | 2 Pages

    The values of the New World have caused Walter to become materialistic, emotionally insensitive, and frustrated. The first example of where this can be seen is during Walter’s argument with Mama. Mama and Walter both have different meanings on what it means to be alive. Walter, due to having become materialistic, views the meaning of life as money. Mama views the ...

    Read More

  • Changes In A Raisin In The Sun By Lorraine Hansberry

    728 Words  | 2 Pages

    First off, Walter Younger changes by becoming more of an honest man like how his father was. In the beginning, Walter was just an average family man who wanted to support his family by himself. He tries to find new ways to keep a stable economic success within his family. To him he believes that money is a solution to all his problems and family needs it in order to survive. His obsession with money clouded his mind which made him mostly think about himself. Walter says, “Yeah. You see, this little liquor store we got in mind cost seventh-five thousand and we figured the initial investment on the place be ‘bout thirty-thousand, see.” (Hansberry 33). This shows that he plans on using the money to achieve his dream by owning a liquor store. He wanted to support his own family independently without aid from anyone else. He felt sadden that he’s the head of the family and he can’t even offer them a positive and joyful life. Near the end of play, Walter had to make a final decision for the outcome for his family’s life. Walter says, “And we decided to move into our house because my father-my father-he earne...

    Read More

  • Free Raisin in the Sun Essays: Bad Dreams

    781 Words  | 2 Pages

    Walter complains to Mama about the way he feels about his job. I open and close car doors all day long. I drive a man around in his limousine and I say, "Yes sir no sir very good sir shall I take the drive, sir?" Walter wants to be the one sitting in the back of that limousine while someone else is doing the driving. Walter wants financial freedom, he doesn't want just enough money to provide for his family but rather he tells his mother "I want so many things." Walter is materialistic and greedy, he has been corrupted by a superficial “American dream”.

    Read More

  • Characters Dreams Deferred in Raisin In The Sun

    553 Words  | 2 Pages

    Walter is Mama’s oldest son. His dreams are to be wealth but at the same time wanting to provide for his family. His own personal dream is to open liquor store with his money he receives from Mama.

    Read More

More about Theme Of Dreams In Walter Lee Younger

Open Document