Pride, Interrupted
Pride corrupts even the most charismatic people. This is one of the factors that made A Raisin in the Sun one of the best and most real plays in African American History. The author, Lorraine Hansberry, was successful in creating a well-rounded protagonist who was described in detail and developed throughout the book. The story is about an African American family who lives in a tight apartment in Chicago. Walter lives with his wife, kid, sister and mom who is about to inherit the money from his deceased dad, Mr. Younger. His sister Beneatha wants to go to medical school so part of the insurance money will be set aside for her tuition. Some of the money will also be used to buy a house in an all white neighborhood; mama's idea. Walter ends up learning about many aspects of life including the security of family when he decides to use the money for an ambitious project and it ends up being stolen.
Walter is “a lean, intense young man in his middle-thirties inclined to quick nervous movements and erratic speech habits.” (Act I Scene I p. 25) This description sets up the mood and foreshadows sporadic decisions and vulgarity. At the start of the play Walter seems much worn out. His relationship with Ruth, his wife, seems to be decaying perhaps due to the poverty and constant arguments. Walter even asks his wife “You tired, ain't you? Tired of everything. Me, the boy, the way we live - this beat up hole - everything.” (Act I Scene I p. 32) Behind his accusations are his internal true feelings of harrow and sorrow. Money is a big problem too, it is so bad that Travis, the couple's kid suggests “could I maybe go carry some groceries in front of the supermarket for a little while after school then?” (Scene I Act I p. 29) Although the situation is horrible (and partly because of that) Walter decides to come up with an entrepreneur idea with his group of friends. “You see, this little liquor store we got in mind cost seventy-five thousand…” (Act I Scene I p. 33) There is nothing wrong with dreaming and coming up with new ideas, as long as they will not hurt others.
The problem with Walter is that he is willing to take his sister's money for his little project. “You just got your mother's interest at heart, ain't you, girl?” (Act I Scene I p. 37) He says this to his sister intimating that her taking the money to go to medical school is abusive. This shows how hypocrite Walter can be since he accepted the money more than gladly “It ain't much, but it's all I got in the world and I'm putting it in your hands.” (Act II Scene II p. 107) He spends the whole play worrying about money so much that he misses what his wife needs to tell him; “Son - do you know your wife is expecting another baby?... I think Ruth is thinking "bout getting rid of that child.” (Act I Scene II p. 74-75) His mother wants them to move to a house that will comfort them better, for this new child to be born into a nice household. When her son cannot prevent his wife from having an abortion his mom admits “you are a disgrace to your father"s memory.” (Act II Scene II p. 75) His inability to prevent the death of his future kid shows not only his obsession with this shop but also his weakness. His own wife was not able to talk to him about such a serious matter, which comes to show how difficult he is to talk to. He is not necessarily a bad father though. He displays his love for his son in his dedication to make this liquor store work and promise his child a better future. Although he was drunk when he said it, part of that fatherly character comes out mixed with, of course, his own pride of being the one who take this family out of the circle of poverty even if he does use someone else's money. “your daddy's gonna make a transaction… a business transaction that's going to change our lives… And I'll pull the car up on the driveway… And I'll come up the steps to the house and the gardener will be clipping away…” (Act II Scene II p. 108)
Walter's partner Willy ends up taking the money. At the end even Beneatha's school money was lost in the proud transaction. Just when the situation was improving, the news come “Man, Willy is gone.” (Scene II Act II p. 128) His friend Willy ran out with the money. Walter finally appreciates the money and understands the significance behind it when he says “THAT MONEY IS MADE OUT OF MY FATHER'S FLESH-” (Act II Scene II p. 128) This occurrence makes Walter change his mind and give up all his pride that he had when a man called Linder came “We don't want to hear no exact terms of no arrangements.” (Scene II Act II p. 118) Now he says “We going to do business with him.” (Act III p.141) Finally his fatherly instinct and the love for his wife shone through his dull mask of arrogance.
