What happens when a dream is deferred into a goal? In the play A Raisin In the Sun by Lorraine Hansberry, the character Walter often expresses his desire to be seen as a man. In a house filled with strong female characters, Walter feels restricted and lacking as he doesn’t express the authority the man of the house should. Many people constantly look down on him and, as a chauffeur, he makes the conclusion that it’s because of his social standing. This creates a urge from Walter to try to reach his goal of finally becoming the man of the house by opening a liquor store and economically thriving. This materialistic, unilateral route towards his goal creates tension not only between Walter and his family members, but also against society. Walter’s …show more content…
Walter has often been portrayed as the antagonist, making multiple mistakes that hurts all members of the Younger family. However, through his faults, Walter has found a way to make a great transformation: from a person focused on materialistic values to a man worth respect. Walter’s primary goal of becoming a man is accomplished, but only after he realizes that being the man of the house is standing up for and protecting the house and people in it. This character growth communicates the conflict between a black man and society and how self-sufficiency and support must be found in his own house for him to be perceived as a man from society. Although many types of racial oppression and injustice have hindered Walter’s dream, his character teaches readers that social restrictions can be overcome by personal willpower and a support group. Walter takes a stand against racism and for his family to express his manhood. As Hansberry’s A Raisin In the Sun closes, the reader learns that Walter can now find contentment in serving as a positive and worthy role model and leader to his son and the rest of the