When someone takes an opportunity right from under everyone else’s feet, how would you see it? Selfish? Desperate? Or hard working? In A Raisin in the Sun, Lorraine Hansberry shows how difficult it was for colored people in the 1950s get ahead and become successful. Walter younger, an ambitious man who comes across as self centered because of his dream to find success for him and his family, goes to great lengths and makes sacrifices to try and make money. It may seem like Walter wants everything for himself, but deep down, he means no harm besides making money and wanting to prosper and live comfortably. Walter Younger and his family, wife Ruth, son Travis, Mama, and sister Beneatha, live in Chicago. All five of them live in a small apartment not fit for the size of their family. Mama, …show more content…
You could almost say that Walter has a roller coaster of emotions. He starts off as selfish because Mama refuses to invest her money in a liquor store for Walter. He then puts up a stink and goes missing throughout the day. This all quickly changes when Mama gives Walter what he has been wanting and hands him the rest of the insurance money. Clearly, Walter only shows happiness when he has what he wants. Soon after, Walter invests the money and lends it to his friend to start the process of opening the liquor store. In the eyes of the reader, what probably sounds like a bad idea, turns into reality when his friends scam him and take his money. Beneatha gloats to Walter on his bad investment, forcing him to make it right. Mama second guesses buying the house, but Walter stands up for what his right and his ambitious side comes out and insists on moving into the new house. These chain of events just mentioned are great examples of Walter as a dynamic character. His constantly changing views and personality all relate to Walter wanting to become a successful colored