In the play "A Raisin in the Sun," Walter serves as the antagonist and protagonist. Walter is Beneatha's aggressive brother, Travis caring father, Ruth's defiant husband, and the only son to his mother. The play plot majorly focuses on him and his related action. During the play course, his character continually evolves. Walter is displayed as the most troubled yet the most passionate character in "A Raisin in the Sun." the paper focuses on Walter's monologue in the play "A Raisin in the Sun."
Walter's Challenges
In the entire play, Walter portrays the African-American man's perspective in the early mid-twentieth-century. He is a common man in the family struggling to offer the family's essential support by trying to discover the best economic strategies for economic success. Barriers and difficulties which currently revolve around his family and his personal life continually act as frustration towards gaining prosperity in daily progression. He has a belief that money is a solution to every problem despite being unsuccessful with money.
Society Reflection
The American dream is to ensure all the hard work people do receives a payoff and ensuring everyone moves on the correct path to achieve success. The American dream is knowing all our efforts and determination towards the available resources through recognition and respect. However, the goal is questioned in the play. Walter, as a critical player, struggles with low-income status in the family since money was the biggest issue.
The biggest issue was the existing diversity on the consumption of the available resources. When the family is about to receive $10, 000 as insurance compensation, every family member has an idea on how it should be spent. His mother wishes to purchase a house while Walter is interested in setting up a liquor business. Contrary to their plans, Beneatha looks forward to using the money is school fees for fulfilling her dream.
From the monologue of Act 03, scene 01-01, a person can wonder the reasons why Walter is perceived to be an antihero. In most parts of the play, it can be observed that Walter does not get along properly with the rest of his family. From the monologue, he includes Ruth, his son Travis, his younger sister Beneatha and his mother, Lena.
Also, from the monologue, it is clear that Walter is continuously unhappy with himself together with his life, and it leads to sour familial relationships. He understands that he has not been able to accomplish much in life, and he sees himself as a failure (Zhao et al., 2019). Walter is a black man in his thirties, and he feels that he needs to get another job. His job as a driver does not pay off well to take care of his family. Walter is also unhappy because, from the monologue, he mentions how he hates having to kiss up to his boss, who is far much wealthier than him.
Walter's Bright Idea
Also, Walter is a character who believes and targets high in his life. He comes up with decisions and ideas to make his whole situation better. He has a bright idea and dreams of opening a liquor store with his friend. Walter believes it will allow him to raise enough money for him and his entire family. He has the idea and dream of becoming his boss. All his hopes are revived after the death of his father. When his father dies, he leaves behind a life insurance check of $10,000 (Zhao et al., 2019). He sees it as the only chance to invest and implement his idea of opening the liquor store.
However, the entire family is against his dream and the idea. Lena is religious and does not see the concept as appropriate; she sees it as being sinful. His sister does not trust the friend that Walter wants to partner with in the investment. All these infuriate Walter. He gets depressed from the fact that no one believes in him nor wishes to support his dream (Zhao et al., 2019). It affects him to the extent that he refuses to go to work for three consecutive days, and he engages in alcoholism.
A Change of Plans
Due to his devastating situation, Lena, his mother, decides to give Walter the money. He tells his mother that he would pay for Beneatha's medical school tuition fee. From the scene, the audience can see the other side of Walter as he is portrayed as a kind and loving man. He even takes his wife out on a date (Zhao et al., 2019). Also, it can be observed that Walter assumes full responsibility towards his family. He even changes his attitude towards the family and all the people in his life.
However, Walter changes how he has to use the remaining amount of money. The good vibes between him and his family don't last. It is because Walter breaks his promise of setting aside some money for Beneatha's medical school tuition (Zhao et al., 2019). He gives all the money to his friend so as he can invest it in the liquor store. Just as his family had predicted, his friend escapes with all the money leaving Walter desperate and with nothing.
