Walter Lee Younger

In A Raisin in the Sun by Lorraine Hansberry, Walter Lee Younger plays the belligerent protagonist who has dreams of creating a better life for his family. He's ashamed of his poor living conditions and is desperate to change it. Also, he is the man of the house in a home consisting of three women. These three women in his life all influence his relationships, actions, and values. Walter's mother "Leena," sister "Beneatha," and wife "Ruth" affect him in many different ways. Ultimately these women impact him to becoming a better man. Leena Younger also known as "Mama" is the matriarch of the Younger family. Mama holds most of the responsibility of the household and holds everyone to her religious and moral standards, especially her son Walter. In thought of Mama's insurances money, Walter pressures Leena into giving him the remaining $6,500 in attempts in making his mother proud by making a huge business move. Walter wants his mom to see him as a "man", who makes smart decisions and provides for the family. Yet, his liquor store business investment goes horribly, as he loses all the money. Leena is frustrated with her son but …show more content…
In return, his sister's nontraditional gender role leads Walter into making a huge business move that'll put Beneatha's future of becoming a doctor in jeopardy. However, Beneatha becomes dependent on her brother's foolish business investments that alters her perception of him. Despite this, Beneatha's values influences Walter into having the courage in making a critical family decision. At first Walter was going to agree to Mr. Lindner’s deal but then refuses when he realized that he was giving in to the “white man. This decision, brings him and his sister together, as he prides her on wanting to become a doctor as they both want to advance as African Americans and as a