Morality In Lorraine Hansberry's A Raisin In The Sun

Henry Ford once said, ”Money doesn’t change men, it merely unmasks them.” This is derived from the idea that money has the ability to alter a life, however, it cannot change a person. It contains the potential of revealing someone’s true colors by transforming their former situation. Whether what is brought to light is pleasant or horrendous depends on their demeanor. Whereas one person may display integrity, another may be like Walter and have traits such as greed and selfishness become apparent. Although he exhibits a plethora of attitudes, Walter maintains a primarily negative disposition throughout the play that is supported by his distraught and erratic behavior. This behavior can be seen from the start of the play in his relationship …show more content…
This is a result of most of the money from the insurance is going towards paying for a house and schooling which will bring them each closer to their dreams instead of his. To cope with this, he frequently skips work and gets drunk. It is only when Mama gives Walter what he wants, the money, that he decides he “ain’t going to never be drunk again” (Hansberry 546). Walter experiences a temporary shift in his normal outlook on life. He begins to do things like show more affection towards Ruth by taking her to see a movie, buying his mother new gardening tools, and has the morals to decline Lindner’s money offer. This is all due to him being more content with his life while being in possession of the money. It is easy to act the correct way when things are in stable place. That is why Walter’s true temperament is shown after he is informed Willy took all of his money. It was not just his money though, it was also the money that was supposed to be set aside for Beneatha’s schooling that he instead kept for himself. After this deception, Walter becomes frantic while simultaneously losing the beliefs he