A Raisin In The Sun Dignity Analysis

A Raisin in the Sun

Dignity is the most important thing to Walter Lee in A Raisin in the Sun, by Lorraine Hansberry. While in the beginning, Walter states that “Life is money,” by the end, he seems to value his dignity more. Throughout the play, he wants, more than anything, to be an owner of a liquor store. He soon decides, however, that it’s more important for his family to have dignity, than to give in to what society expects of them.

In the beginning, Walter and Ruth get into an argument on how Ruth never listens to what Walter has to say. Ruth replies, “You ain’t never say nothing new.” Meaning all Walter ever talks about is money. When the money’s going to arrive, why he can’t use it, and what’s wrong with owning a liquor store. All he ever thinks about is how he can gain from

Linder, from the Welcoming Committee, and say that they will take the money and not move into the house. However, as Angela Merkel, a German stateswoman and chancellor puts it, “When it comes to human dignity, we cannot make compromises.” His choice is to plead with Mr. Linder for the money, losing the dignity he has and that of his family’s, or move into the house, despite not being wanted by the community, but still being able to hold his head high, knowing he and his family worked to be there and deserve it. Walter’s going to beg for the money and tells Travis, his son, to leave the room. Mama, however, says no. She states, “No. Travis you stay right here. And you make him understand what you’re doing Walter Lee. You teach him good like Willie Harris taught you. You show him what our five generations done come to. Go ahead son-.” Because Travis stays, Walter is able to realize what he’s doing and how it disgraces him and his family. He realises that this is not what he wants to teach his son about life. In the end, he turns down Mr. Linder once again, deciding to work to stay in the house that they