Walter Lee Younger In Lorraine Hansberry's A Raisin In The Sun

In some plays the experience of an important character changes him or her; this can be said about Lorraine Hansberry’s A Raisin in the Sun. A perfect example of a changed character from this play is Walter Lee Younger. Through the trials and tribulations that him and his family are made to face he becomes a better man. In the beginning Walter is basically perceived as a jerk-he doesn’t seem to get along with anyone, not even his own family. His character likes to turn discussions into fights, make rude comments to his wife, and act all around immature. A part that accurately shows the way Walter conducts himself is when he is arguing with Ruth and says “Man say: I got to change my life , I'm choking to death, baby! And his woman say- Your eggs is getting cold!” (Hansberry 495). Some argue that his attitude isn’t solely because he’s choosing to be pessimistic, perhaps he is also tired of living the life he’s living. Walter works as a chauffeur for a rich white man and feels that

He finds his dignity and tells Mr. Lindner that his “son said we was going to move and there ain't nothin left for me to say.” (Hansberry 575). At this point the full depth of his character development is obvious; one can see that he finally turned into a respectable man that cares about his family and their pride.

The events in the play changed Walter Lee by growing him into a more honorable man. He is starts to see that being respectable is worth more than be rich. When the play ends he is a man that redeemed himself by overcoming trials. He goes from being hot-blooded to being gentle and able to talk things out. He goes from being immature to being able to be the head of the house and ends up making decisions that benefit all of the Youngers. He changed because the only way he would have successfully made it through the events in the play was to fix himself as a