Review acts 1–3 of A Raisin in the Sun. Choose a character from the play and examine how that character changes from the beginning to the end of the play. Identify and explain any symbols that are used in the play that help readers understand how the character changes. Use lines from the play to support your ideas. in a paragraph
In the play A Raisin in the Sun, one character who undergoes significant changes throughout the first three acts is Walter Lee Younger. At the beginning of the play, Walter is shown as a frustrated and disillusioned man, who is desperately seeking a better life for himself and his family. He dreams of becoming a successful businessman and providing a better future for his loved ones. However, Walter's dreams are constantly stifled by the oppressive reality of racial discrimination and societal limitations. As the play progresses, Walter becomes entangled in a life-altering decision when he is offered a large sum of money as compensation for the family's loss. At first, he wishes to invest it all in a liquor store, seeing it as the only way to break free from the cycle of poverty. However, through the course of the play, Walter's character evolves and matures, ultimately realizing the importance of family and dignity over material wealth. This transformation is best exemplified through the symbolic element of the plant in the play. In Act One, Lena Younger uses a small plant as a metaphor for life and growth, entrusting it to Walter's care. Throughout the play, the plant represents the aspirations and growth of each character. It serves as a visual representation of Walter's own hopes and dreams. In Act Three, when the plant withers due to neglect, it symbolizes the deterioration of Walter's own dreams and aspirations. However, in the closing scenes of the play, when Walter finally asserts his identity and refuses to accept the money from a corrupt source, he states, "It’s life, Mama! ... I’m a grown man... We are people who give children life, not cheap liquor." These lines demonstrate Walter's transformation, as he prioritizes the values of love, family, and his own self-worth over monetary gains.
