Walter Lee's A Raisin In The Sun
Everyone knows that feeling where they will do anything they can do make their dream/dreams come true. The Younger family knows this feeling all a little too well. Walter Lee, the main character in this play, had the dream of going into the liquor business and never having to worry about money again. When the Mama and the family get a check in the mail for $10,000, Walter tries everything in his power to succeed his dream. But when a series of unfortunate events occur, Walter has to figure out what the right thing to do is for him and his family. In this play, Walter Lee’s dream wavers between rotten meat, an explosion, and a syrupy sweet. Walter blamed Mama for ruining his dream and chance to go into the liquor business, such as in
this quote, “so you butchered up a dream of mine-you-who always talking ‘bout your children’s dream…(95).” Walter Lee’s dream stinks like rotten meat because this dream basically makes him sick because he cannot do anything else to try to achieve it. Before he realizes his dream is dead, it causes him to make some bad decisions that do not only affect him, but also his family. Like rotten meat, Walter’s dream has no chance all because Willy, the one he trusted, took his money and ran. The family comes to realization that the money is gone and their beloved Walter’s dream is butchered. Walter was a very bitter man. Because his dream did not get accomplished after awhile, he started drinking regularly and not being the person Mama knew he could be. Just the right thing could set Walter off, and this did it, “You’re wacked up with bitterness man (85).” Walter’s dream crusted and sugared over like a syrupy sweet because of how bitter he was. His dream left him nothing but a bad taste to remember it by, just like the image of a syrupy sweet. Walter’s dream also compares to a volcano that is about to explode. When he even thought about his dream he often acted like he was going to explode, such as, “Bitter? Man, I’m a volcano (85).” This image implies that Walter’s dream is shattered and that there is no hope. Walter Lee soon realizes that the damage is done and there is nothing left to do about it except move on with his life and forget about the past. Although his dream may be destroyed, Walter chose to take the high road and keep his family’s pride by declining the money and moving to the house Mama had chosen. Even though Walter’s dream compared to rotting meat, an explosion, and a syrupy sweet, the Younger family got what they wanted in the end, even if it meant they all had to work to make enough money to pay for the house. The family got through this dilemma, but of course there will be more to come since they are moving into Clybourne Park. They all realize they have to work harder than ever to prove their worth to all the whites living in that neighborhood, and it will not be easy. For sure, the Younger family will not give up their pride no matter what happens. In the end, Walter finally became the man Mama knew he could be and for the first time in awhile Mama was proud to call him her son.
this quote, “so you butchered up a dream of mine-you-who always talking ‘bout your children’s dream…(95).” Walter Lee’s dream stinks like rotten meat because this dream basically makes him sick because he cannot do anything else to try to achieve it. Before he realizes his dream is dead, it causes him to make some bad decisions that do not only affect him, but also his family. Like rotten meat, Walter’s dream has no chance all because Willy, the one he trusted, took his money and ran. The family comes to realization that the money is gone and their beloved Walter’s dream is butchered. Walter was a very bitter man. Because his dream did not get accomplished after awhile, he started drinking regularly and not being the person Mama knew he could be. Just the right thing could set Walter off, and this did it, “You’re wacked up with bitterness man (85).” Walter’s dream crusted and sugared over like a syrupy sweet because of how bitter he was. His dream left him nothing but a bad taste to remember it by, just like the image of a syrupy sweet. Walter’s dream also compares to a volcano that is about to explode. When he even thought about his dream he often acted like he was going to explode, such as, “Bitter? Man, I’m a volcano (85).” This image implies that Walter’s dream is shattered and that there is no hope. Walter Lee soon realizes that the damage is done and there is nothing left to do about it except move on with his life and forget about the past. Although his dream may be destroyed, Walter chose to take the high road and keep his family’s pride by declining the money and moving to the house Mama had chosen. Even though Walter’s dream compared to rotting meat, an explosion, and a syrupy sweet, the Younger family got what they wanted in the end, even if it meant they all had to work to make enough money to pay for the house. The family got through this dilemma, but of course there will be more to come since they are moving into Clybourne Park. They all realize they have to work harder than ever to prove their worth to all the whites living in that neighborhood, and it will not be easy. For sure, the Younger family will not give up their pride no matter what happens. In the end, Walter finally became the man Mama knew he could be and for the first time in awhile Mama was proud to call him her son.