Q) Comment on the development of Walter’s character in “A Raisin in The Sun”
A) Lorraine Hansberry’s “A Raisin in The Sun” is a Broadway play that revolves around the financial distress that an African-American family living in the South of Chicago is subjected to as a result of the racial divide. Walter Younger, the head of the family and the protagonist of the play, is confronted by his monetary status and he endeavours to create a brighter future for his family and himself. Lorraine Hansberry develops his character as a representation of the entire family’s progress till the end, and his various traits make him an antihero of the play.
Walter is a “lean, intense young man” in his mid-thirties and “nervous movements and erratic speech habits” characterize his behavior. His initial characterization portrays him to be chauvinistic. He works as a chauffeur, and the fact that he has to obey the commands of a rich white man leaves him utterly dissatisfied with his life.
At this point, his state is almost like that of the family’s plant; weary and lacking hope. Yet, he displays a sense of dignity when he generously gives Travis two 50 cent coins despite their poverty. He feels that the only way to improve his life is through acquiring financial wealth and the only time optimism exudes from him is when Mama receives a $10,000 insurance check. Walter’s behavior, although ambitious, begins to turn egocentric. He wishes to use the insurance money to invest in a liquor store with Willy Harris to finally be freed from the economic crisis. Ruth warns him about trusting Willy and Mama, being a devout Christian, considers the idea sinful hence refusing to bestow him with the money. Walter interprets the situation by believing that none of the women want to support him and says, “that is just what is wrong with the colored woman.. don’t understand about building their men up”. Consequently, he quarrels with his family members, discouraging Beneatha’s aspiration of being a doctor while making sexist remarks—“go be a nurse like other women or just get married and be quiet”. By portraying his demeaning attitude towards the women in his family institutes sour familial relationships for Walter and establishes attributes of selfishness, avarice and stubbornness.
Walter’s amoral characteristics are further exemplified when he loses the money that Mama eventually gave him. Part of this money was to be kept for Beneatha, however Walter irresponsibly invests into a man who, as predicted by Ruth, flees away with it. Now, all traces of jubilation Walter had upon receiving the money is lost along with the family’s hope in him. Walter’s role begins to personify the African American families that make many gambles, eventually leading to complete failure. Emotional weakness pervades in his character and he becomes extremely desperate, leading to his decision of selling off the newly bought house to a racist man for heaps of money. Here, the audience witnesses the previously dignified Walter be divested of pride or self-respect, and are compelled to pity his condition despite his heedless actions.
Lorraine Hansberry, however, makes Walter’s character a dynamic one. Towards the ending, Walter is redeemed and he makes amends with his family by rejecting the offer by Mr.Lindner. His inability to capitulate in front of Travis and realization of his father’s struggle helped him regain self-respect, which makes even Mama exclaim, “He finally come into his manhood today”. In Walter Younger, the playwright portrays the drastic effect that poverty and racism has on people’s personalities, turning them against those that they most love.
Through Walter’s growth in the play, Lorraine Hansberry shows the audience how social barriers can be overcome through personal determination and staying true to one’s own beliefs. Walter’s development is a catalyst towards the play’s delightful conclusion.
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