Choose a character (Walter) from the play (Raisin in the Sun) 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 held readers understand hon the character changes. Use lines from the play to support your ideas.
In Lorraine Hansberry's play "A Raisin in the Sun," Walter Lee Younger is a complex character who undergoes a profound transformation throughout the story. Initially, Walter is depicted as a frustrated and disillusioned African-American man who feels trapped in his circumstances and dreams of a better life. However, by the end of the play, Walter evolves into a more enlightened and determined individual. This change is symbolized through the recurring symbol of the plant.
At the beginning of the play, Walter Lee is disheartened and resentful because he feels confined by his low-paying job as a chauffeur. His dream of using his deceased father's life insurance money to invest in a liquor store represents his desire to break free from poverty and gain financial independence. However, his family—particularly his mother, Lena, who represents the ideals of heritage and the American Dream—disapproves of this plan. As Walter argues with his mother, he exclaims, "You just don't understand. It's all about the money," indicating his materialistic goals and his desperation for a better life.
Throughout the play, the symbol of the plant, representing Walter's dreams and ambitions, is employed. Lena maintains a small houseplant that struggles to survive in their cramped apartment but blossoms once they move to a bigger and more spacious home. Walter displays a personal growth that parallels the growth of this plant. In Act II, when the plant has wilted, Walter expresses his frustration by saying, "Damn my eggs... damn all the eggs that ever was," reflecting his despair and anger as his dreams seem to crumble.
However, the plant also serves as a metaphor for Walter's character arc. When Lena entrusts Walter with the remaining insurance money, he contemplates accepting an offer from a white representative who wants to purchase their family's new house in a white neighborhood. In this moment, Walter realizes the importance of family, community, and standing up against societal discrimination. With a renewed sense of purpose, he rejects the offer and proclaims, "We have decided to move into our house because my father—my father—he earned it for us brick by brick." This decision demonstrates his moral integrity, self-realization, and growing maturity.
By the end of the play, Walter has transformed into a more self-assured and principled individual. He acknowledges the importance of family and the need to pursue a future full of dignity and pride, rather than succumbing to the lure of material wealth alone. The plant's revival, represented by its foliage and beauty, signifies Walter's metamorphosis from a man fixated on material success to one who values personal growth, unity, and the power of resilience.
In conclusion, Walter Lee undergoes a significant transformation throughout "A Raisin in the Sun." Initially driven by financial ambitions and frustration, Walter matures and gains self-awareness, recognizing the significance of family, pride, and heritage. The symbol of the plant serves as a tangible representation of Walter's personal growth, as its survival and revival parallel his own journey from desperation to determination.