A Raisin in the Sun
Lorraine Hansberry
The highest tension in this scene comes from Walter and his unbearable stubbornness. More importantly, Walter's role as a flat character reflects a larger theme of the novel: a dream deferred.
Throughout the play, Walter has exhibited few traits; none of which are tolerable. Walter appears to be extremely bitter, hot-tempered, and devoid of any sense of responsibility. When confronted by any minor conflict, Walter succumbs to yelling and hyperbole. Still, nothing gets Walter more fired up than discussion about Mama's money.
Walter's plan to bring his family out of poverty is to buy a liquor store, something heavily detested by a highly conservative Mama. As a response, Walter completely blocks his family out: " RUTH: Where you going? WALTER: I'm going out! RUTH: Where? WALTER: Just out of this house somewhere- RUTH: (Getting her coat) I'll come too. WALTER: I don't want you to come!" (Hansberry, 71). Walter seems only to have two modes: gleeful when he gets his way and furious when he doesn't.
Even though Walter still is to blame for his demeanor, the reader can understand why Hansberry decided to endow Walter with his traits. For all of his life, Walter has lived at the bottom of society because of his financial and racial status. Now he is on the verge of completely dropping his dreams. With Walter, Hansberry seems to suggests that a dream deferred "explodes".
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