Character Analysis Of Walter Younger In Lorraine Hansberry's A Raisin In The Sun

In the 1950’s it was a big responsibility to become the man of the house, it was a position respected by many young boys, and it was an expectation that when a boy’s father died that they would become man of the house. In Lorraine Hansberry’s A Raisin In The Sun, Walter Younger, a man who just lost his father, wants desperately to fill the role that his father had. As the only man living in a house with three women; his mother, sister, and pregnant wife, Walter Younger struggles with wanting to play a masculine role. His struggle for the dominant role in the family leads him to make selfish and immature choices. He continues to make decision after decision that affects the way his family lives. He constantly tells his mother, wife, and sister that he wants to be the man of the house. In order to fill this role, he decides that he wants to invest in a liquor store. The way he goes about trying to be the man of the house is entirely incorrect, however, and only ends negatively for the Younger …show more content…
If Walter were able to grow up, and think of someone other than himself, then a lot of the hardships that the family had to endure would not have existed. Walter encouraged his sister instead of attempting to manipulate her into a lesser dream so he could have his whole dream. If he had encouraged her his family may have had more of a chance to pay off the house because a doctor is a more stable income source than a shared liquor store. Walter was constantly spending what little money they do have, on liquor and constantly getting drunk. This is the exact opposite of what he wants for his son, he wants his son to be a man and be responsible for his actions. Theft is no joke, people only steal for selfish and childish reasons. Walter steals Beneatha’s money so he can prove that he’s better than her. Overall, Walters selfish, selfish, choices impact the way his family functions and recovers from