Walter a Raisin in the Sun

Walter

As Mama's only son, Ruth's husband, Travis's father, and Beneatha's brother, Walter is both protagonist and antagonist of the play. The play revolves around him and the actions that he takes, and his character evolves the most during the the play. Most of his actions and mistakes hurt the family greatly, but his late rise to manhood makes him a sort of hero in the last scene.

What I think of Walter through the play changes from the beginning to the end. In the beginning he is an immature little boy that can't manage his money even though he wants to be rich. Through the play he makes mistakes that send his family down and down and eventually they hit rock bottom when he trusts the wrong person and all their money is lost. All he cares about is money, sometimes it seems that he cares more about money than his own family.

The last scene of the play takes place on moving day and with everyone packing up their things. Walter rushes out proclaiming that he is going to call Mr.Lidner. Mama declares that he has died inside. Mr. Lidner and the movers arrive at the same time and Walter is planning to sign the papers saying that they will not move into the prodominantly whit neighborhood and they will let Mr. Lidner buy the house from them. In his shining moment of glory and first moment of maturity he tells Mr. Lidner to leave and he does with the papers unsigned.

Walter is finally a man and wears his badge modestly. Being a man, he now values his family and his sense of responsibility more than money. He learned, only after having all of his money stolen, that there are more important things in life than money. Mama, Ruth, and even Beneatha respects after this.

What did he have to do to gain his manhood, and was it all worth it? Many mistakes have been made but all of them have been to help him gain his manhood. He often left all night and when he got back he fought with all his family only to leave again. Only after he lost all of his money did he finally realize that he needed to learn. In the end it would seem that it was all worth it because Walter decided not to take the money for the house by looking out for what was best for his family and not his wallet.