The Steps of a Good Man

1128 Words3 Pages
bulb-icon

Recommended: Critical analysis essay on a raisin in the sun

The Steps of a Good Man

Lena Younger (Mama) had put a down payment on a new house, the moving men were on the way, and the packing of Mama’s dishes had begun when the horrific news came. Although the house has a down payment, Walter has loss $6500 dollars and the family is devastated. “One of you better call the moving people and tell them not to come,” says Mama (1892). As soon as Walter comes into the house and explains his ghastly plan, she goes to tears. Walter, a young black American man, feel a person can bring about all the dreams in his head and heart through money. The name Walter means ruler of the army, a strong fighter, a conqueror. In the play, a Raisin in the Sun, written by Lorraine Hansberry, Walter fails to live up to the meaning of his name as he tries to become head of the family. Walter wants to provide material comforts, which will make his family more content. In his mind, he thinks having money will make him powerful. Money will make him more of a man in his family eyes. Walter knows money can buy his mother a house, put pearls on his wife’s neck, send his sister to school, and provide a good life for his son. However, Walter fails to realize he is not using common sense, how his actions will break his Mama’s heart, or the shame he will bring to his family by acting with a mental psychologically enslave mind.

Walter is a healthy black man with one way in his head to accomplish his dream. He dreams of being like “The Man.” His Mama asked earlier, “Baby, how you going to feel on the inside”. Walter shouts” FINE...! Going to feel fine…a man” (1894). To Walter, the “Man” controls the flow of money and humanity. He tells you when to sit and when to stand, to eat, or not to eat. He owns the best busines...

... middle of paper ...

...ch them they are not to feel inferior to anyone. Walter wanted to deflate this teaching and act upon what THE MAN expected.

One must listen to advice, and then analyze the information before making a rational decision. Using sound practical judgments can be a positive move in one’s dreams. A person who is pursuing a dream must take orderly steps to accomplish what is in their heart. Instead of looking at other people, look inside your heart and mind and ask, “What skills can a person acquire to have a better and more positive outlook for their future?” Walter never tries to obtain the necessary steps to be a little more successful. Obtaining a college education, learning entrepreneurship skills, or use common sense should be some steps in making your hopes and dreams come true. These actions will give you a piece of mind and bring some comfort to a family.

Show More
Related

  • Rite Of Passage In Richard Wright's The Man Who Was Almost A Man

    886 Words  | 2 Pages

    In Richard Wright’s “The Man Who Was Almost A Man” the ideas of a young African American man’s coming of age is explored in the early twentieth century. In this short story our protagonist Dave struggles with the true definition of manhood and the rite of passage in rural southern America. He acts in ways that “ suggested a challenge to ideas of manhood”(Fine) by others in the community that he misguidedly finds fitting.

    Read More

  • A Raisin In The Sun Analysis

    670 Words  | 2 Pages

    This show takes place in the dilapidated, two-bedroom apartment of Walter and Ruth Younger, their son Travis, Walter’s mother Lena, also known as “Mama”, and his sister Beneatha. This award winning production of the 2014 revival of A Raisin In The Sun shows the talented Denzel Washington fill the shoes of Walter Younger, the story’s main character. He stars alongside LaTanya Richardson Jackson, who plays the part of Ruth. The 1859 classic depicting the lives of this African-American family’s life in South Side Chicago during the 1950s. Walter is barely getting by financially, due to his low income as a limousine driver, desperately has the desire to become wealthy--who doesn’t?. Walter plans to invest in his own liquor store which he will run alongside his good friend Willy, and plans to do so with his portion of his mother’s insurance check; did I mention that the check was for $10,000! Mama puts down money for a house --a house, in an all-white neighborhood, with a lawn, that her grandson will be able to play on. This has always been a dream of her and her husband, and now that he is gone, she only wants it more.

    Read More

  • Younger Dreams In Lorraine Hansberry's A Raisin In The Sun

    836 Words  | 2 Pages

    Walter Lee Younger feels that he is on the bottom rung of the social ladder. As a man who makes a living by being a chauffer to those better off than him, he is constantly made to feel small and worthless while earning minimum wage. Due to the stress exerted onto him each day, he constantly argues with his wife and the other members of his family. Walter’s dream is simple. He wants to make something of himself; something his family can be proud of. To do this, he wants to use his deceased father’s insurance money to go into a partnership on a liquor store with his friend Willy Harris. When Walter finally tries to attain this dream by giving him the inheritance money, Willy runs off with the money, never to be seen again. Walter’s dreams, as well as his family’s, disappear wi...

    Read More

  • The Protagonist in A Raisin in the Sun by Lorraine Hansberry

    1196 Words  | 3 Pages

    In the Play “A Raisin in the Sun” by Lorraine Hansberry there are two main character’s that many people debate upon to be the protagonist of the play. Those two characters are Mama and Walter. The story is about an African American family living in Chicago in the 1950’s. During this time period race was a large issue in that area. The family consists of three generations, Mama being the mother and grandmother has a lot of responsibilities as what I see her to be as the families anchor. The next generation is Walter his wife Ruth and his sister Beneatha. Walter and Ruth have a song Travis who is ten years old at the time of this play. Mama is the moral supporter of the family and believes that everything has a purpose and that things should be done by design. One of the main events in this play is the life insurance settlement check for ten thousand dollars that Mama receives. This being a large amount of money during that time period creates many arguments between the families about what to do with the money. Walter is the type of guy that believes his family shouldn’t settle like everyone else and believes that they shouldn’t be held back just because they are an African American family living in what is referred to as a “white man’s world”. I believe that Walter is the protagonist of the play for two main reasons, he isn’t a selfish man, he doesn’t feel the family should be limited because they are African American and he has distinct options or plans for the future of his family.

    Read More

  • Race and Destiny

    1609 Words  | 4 Pages

    While Walter Younger tried to fight his destiny and was striving to get rich and be “his own boss”, Ellison’s protagonist adopted the society well and was satisfied of his situation without noticing any injustice.

    Read More

  • Masculinity In The Other Wes Moore

    1112 Words  | 3 Pages

    “The Other Wes Moore” By Wes Moore, reveals how two men can develop differently in the same social environment, and yet and have different intrapersonal views. The two men grew up in the same impoverished city, yet both have different experiences and views of what it means to be a man. The other Wes Moore, living his whole life in a poverty-stricken society, believes that being a man means to be powerful and unforgiving. The author, Wes Moore, living in two different worlds, views himself as a man when he becomes an exceptional leader and responsible for others lives. These concepts both tie into the constructs of masculinity in the United States where men are supposed to be protectors of society. The two Wes’ notions of manhood derive from

    Read More

  • A Raisin In The Sun Family Analysis

    681 Words  | 2 Pages

    In life there are always going to be ups and downs, good and bad times, because families go through extensive amounts of arguments. Within the play A Raisin in the Sun, written by Lorraine Hansberry, there are a few complications that the Younger family face. Moreover, the main complications occur between Lena Younger (Mama) and Walter Lee Younger (the son of Mama). Throughout the play, the biggest complication they face is how to spend Walter Lee Senior’s life insurance money. The Younger family goes through several challenging times; however, the family shows that no matter what, everyone should stick together.

    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

  • The Effects of Oppression in Hansberry's A Raisin in the Sun

    1182 Words  | 3 Pages

    Lorraine Hansberry's A Raisin in the Sun is a modern tragedy in which the protagonist, Walter Lee Younger, is unable to find the fulfilling life he wants so badly. A contrasting view of the quest for that fulfilling life is offered in the character of Beneatha (whose name seems a play on her socioeconomic status, i.e. she-who-is-beneath), who serves as a foil against which the character of Walter is defined. Both Walter and Beneatha, representing the new generation of blacks coming of age after World War Two, are in conflict with Mama, who represents the previous generation and its traditions. The character of George Murchison is also opposed to both Beneatha and Walter, since he symbolizes assimilation on the white man's terms. Walter and Beneatha are also in conflict with their environment, a society where they are marginalized and subject to daily humiliation because of what is called their race (not, in fact, a biological distinction but a cultural construct).

    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

  • Comparing The Great Gatsby And A Raisin In The Sun

    1882 Words  | 4 Pages

    Walter attempts to reinvent himself through his work and relationships to try and provide for his wife and family. Walter is fighting a battle within his household because he believes that Ruth, his wife, “couldn’t be on [his] side that long for nothing,” even though she is just trying to do what is best for everyone involved (Hansberry 32). Walter cannot see past his dream to realize the impact it would have on everyone else if it failed, so he drowns his sorrows in alcohol. Although “he knows the possibility of failure is also a vital part of the American success story” Walter is not just risking his own future, he is risking his child’s, mother’s and sister’s and without a second thought to his personal relationships, he blindly makes an investment on the chance of having the wealth and house he desires for everyone (Washington 98). Walter is so focused on reinventing his work life and having money that he loses sight of his family’s values and ideas. He does not care about Ruth being pregnant and the possibility of aborting their child as long as he can achieve his goals. Walter is living in a dream where he believes that “anyone can become anything he wants to be,” and that is not true in his case with the social and racial standards that are set against him (Washington 95). Walter sees wealth as ensuring happiness and having everything he desires, which is why he is pushing his family so hard for the money, causing issues. Even though all the odds are set against him in this time period, Walter cannot see past being able to provide for his family and having the American Dream that he most

    Read More

  • Free Raisin in the Sun Essays: Pride and Dignity

    861 Words  | 2 Pages

    Pride and Dignity in A Raisin in the Sun "A Raisin in the Sun" by Lorraine Hansberry follows a black family's struggle to see their dreams through to fruition. These dreams, and the struggles necessary to attain them, are the focus of the play. As the play begins a husband, Walter, and wife, Ruth, are seen having a fight over Walter's dream to become a'mover and shaker' in the business world by using an insurance check as a down payment on a business venture. Walter tells his wife that, "I'm trying to talk to you 'bout myself and all you can say is eat them eggs and go to work", which is the first sign of Walter's recurring feelings that if someone in the family would just listen to him and put forth their trust his dreams would come to fruition. Following this argument, Walter goes off to his job as a chauffeur, which is the job he so longs to be done away with because he would rather "be Mr. Arnold[his employer] than be his chauffeur".

    Read More

  • The Role of Mama in A Raisin in the Sun

    1004 Words  | 3 Pages

    In the 1950’s through the 1960’s women were not respected in there everyday lives, in the job field or in general. They did not have the rights they deserved, so during this time the “women’s movement” began. Women fought for their rights and fought for the self-respect that they thought they deserved. In the play A Raisin in the Sun by Lorraine Hansberry, the character Mama, expresses her feelings of pushing or extracting a new side for a woman. Her role explains that woman can be independent and can live for themselves. Through her behavior in this play she demonstrates that women can support and guide a family. Mama is in charge of the family, which is unusual, since men are traditionally the “head of a family”. Through Mama’s wisdom and dialect she expresses and portrays an image of pro-feminism. Mama’s experience in the play A Raisin in the Sun illustrates the expressions, the emotions, and the feeling with which Mama and women had to cope. She was able to characterize this through her passionate dreams, her control and her strong willed attitude.

    Read More

  • Racial Disccrimination in a Raisin in the Sun

    858 Words  | 2 Pages

    Dreams of owning a business and having money to accomplish goals are two key parts played out throughout the whole process. Walter Younger is determined to have his own business and he will go to ends meet to see that dream come true. Financial bridges are crossed and obstacles arise when Walter makes a bad decision regarding money that could have helped the family and not only himself, if he had thought smarter. His pride and dignity are tested throughout the story and he is forced to set up for his family. The Raisin in the Sun helps readers to understand the history of racial discrimination and how racial discrimination has an effect on the people in the late 1950s and early 1960s as well as how that has an effect on the characters within the play.

    Read More

  • A Comparison of the Dream Deferred in A Raisin in the Sun and Harlem

    1401 Words  | 3 Pages

    Each of the characters in A Raisin in the Sun has a dream for which they base their whole happiness and livelihood on attaining. However, the character of Lena Younger, or Mama, differs from the other members of her family. Time after time, Mama postpones her dream of owning a house and garden to perpetuate the dreams of her family members. Finally, when Mama receives the $10,000 insurance check, she feels that her dream can become reality, and purchases a house in Clybourned Park. Her dream "drys up like a raisin in the sun" when she learns that Walter gave the money to Willy Harris, who mysteriously disappears. Mama does not shatter simply because her dream has not been fulfilled. "Lena Younger's strength of character has come from the steadfast endurance of hardship and a refusal to be conquered by it" (Phillips 51). Mama's economic hardships may have killed her dream, but she has not allowed it to kill her.

    Read More

More about The Steps of a Good Man

Open Document