Introduction
Walter Lee Younger is the protagonist in Lorraine Hansberry’s play A Raisin in the Sun. The character is complex and dynamic, as exemplified by the changes that occur in his overviews and decisions. Walter’s initial traits highlight his desire to strive financially, yet the methods that he uses to achieve his goals and the goals themselves do not put him in a good light. On the other hand, the progression evident during the events of the play give Walter a new perspective on himself as an individual, his background, and his interaction with the world. Thus, the character’s journey is that of a person who finds his honor, pride, and fulfillment by embracing his ethnicity and realizing his worth.
An Overview of Walter
Walter Lee Younger is an African American man whose dream is acquiring wealth and fulfilling the material objectives that he set for himself. Money is the primary driving factor for the character, as well as the desire to fit it and dismiss his heritage as he views it in a negative light. The story that best exemplifies the traits of the character at the beginning of the play is the opportunity to sell the house. The house recently acquired by Walter’s mother is in a white neighborhood, a decision facilitated by the attractive price. However, the protagonist receives the offer to sell it since the neighbors are interested in keeping the community entirely white, and the Younger family would ruin the plan. Walter wants to agree to the deal despite the fact that it implies he agrees to exchange his pride and heritage for money (Hansberry 143). The story shows Walter to be unappreciative or even dismissive of his ethical background, believing that a financial gain is more important than defending the right to be considered equal to white people.
Walter’s Journey
The vents in the play illustrate a change in the entire Younger family, and Walter is one of the characters who acquired traits that he never had before. The situation with the house, which was mentioned earlier, has ended with Walter deciding not to sell the house (Hansberry 147). Moreover, Walter highlighted that the money used to buy it was inherited from his father, who earned every brick. By doing so, Walter has honored not only his family but also himself. It is clear that money is a big motivator that has made Walter doubtful of the need to be proud of his background. However, he changed when he decided that his worth was more important than the offer. As a result, it is inevitable that Walter has changed on multiple levels and has acquired something he has never had before. While he did not fulfill his financial goals, he achieved self-fulfillment through pride and honor for his family, heritage, and history.
Conclusion
It is evident that Walter Lee Younger is a different character at the end of the play compared to the beginning. Initially, Walter’s only values were his financial goals since his whole existence was focused on escaping poverty and making a name for himself. Furthermore, the aim was stronger than Walter’s pride and heritage. However, by the end of the play, the protagonist finds his worth and understands the value of himself as a human being. The character’s development is evident from how he views himself and the behavioral changes that occur when a sense of worth is acquired.
Work Cited
Hansberry, Lorraine. A Raisin in the Sun. Vintage Books, 1959.