Happy Endings through Moral Development

In many plays and novels, there is a character that undergoes moral development that is strongly shown in the end. This change is caused by various influences within the family, lifestyle, and life changes. Walter Younger experiences a moral change in the ending of Lorraine Hansberrys A Raisin in the Sun, due to finally gaining pride and dignity, which molds Walter into becoming the man his family desires. In the beginning of A Raisin in the Sun, Walter and his wife, Ruth Younger, argue over the insurance money arriving for Mama, Lena Younger. Walter wants to invest in a liquor store, which Mama is strongly against, and Ruth only tells Walter to eat his eggs. Walter feels like no one respects his dreams, saying Thats it. There you are. Man say to his woman: I got me a dream. His woman say: Eat your eggs. (pg.11, Act 1, Scene 1.) Walter acts like a child, storms out of the apartment and heads to work. Ruth and Walter appear to have marital issues due to his inability to be a man. Walters escape from his family is going out, late at night, getting drunk, which causes more problems in the Younger home. Later in the play, Ruth discovers that she is pregnant with Walters second child. However, being the selfish boy that Walter is, he does not listen and keeps his mind set on the investment. This brings out another fight when Mama tries to get Walter to talk with Ruth. Walter can not handle Ruths news and goes out to drink. Walter can only think of himself and will not be there with Ruth in desperate times. However, once the insurance check arrives and Mama gives majority of the money to Walter, he becomes sweeter towards Ruth. He takes her out one night and Ruth says to Walters sister, Beneatha, When we

come out of the show it was late and dark and all the stores and things was closed up and it was kind of chilly and there wasnt many people on the streets and we was still holding hands, me and Walter. (pg. 72, Act 2, Scene 3.) This is the first night in a long time that Walter and Ruth have not despised each other and end up fighting. Walter still has not come into his manhood because of what he does with the money. He does not put the money in the bank as requested by Mama; he gives in to the investment despite Mamas wishes. Mama tells Walter many times that she does not want him investing in the liquor store. However, Walter is in the mindset that the investment will fix the Younger familys problems, although it would be quite the opposite. By this time, Mama has spent thirty-five hundred dollars on a house for the family to move into. Of course there is a down side to moving out of the apartment, the house that Mama buys is in an all white neighborhood, where colored folk are not wanted. Mr. Lindner, the Chairman of the Welcoming Committee makes a visit to the Younger home, and tries to talk them out of moving in by offering them money. Walter kicks him out and does not take the money. Not long after Mr. Lindner leaves, Walters friend, Bobo, whom was also involved with the investment, comes to visit Walter. At this point, Walter is dancing and singing I got wings! You got wings! All Gods children got wings! (pg. 83, Act 2, Scene 3.) Walter is singing this because he thinks that everything is falling into place, when in reality, everything is only crashing down. Bobo tells Walter that Willie Harris ran off with the money, and the investment was not real. Walter is denying this and says that he will look for Willie. Bobo says, When a cat take off with your money he dont leave you no road maps. (pg. 85, Act 2, Scene 3.) Walter has lost his familys respect from defying his mothers wishes and demands. The Younger family can only wonder if Walter can go any further.

In the ending of A Raisin in the Sun, Walter finally comes into his manhood. Walter invites Mr. Lindner over to, originally, take his offer. However, Mama teaches Walter about pride the last time, Son I come from five generations of people who was slaves and sharecroppers but aint nobody in my family never let nobody pay em no money that was a way of telling us we wasnt fit to walk the earth. We aint never been that poor. We aint never been that dead inside. (pg. 96, Act 3, Scene 1.) Walter allows Mamas wise words to sink in before Mr. Lindner arrives. When Mr. Lindner comes into the Younger home, Walter begins telling him about his family and how proud they are. Mr. Lindner exits when Walter and Mama decide to move in, all Mr. Lindner says is, I sure hope you people know what youre getting into. (pg. 101, Act 3, Scene 1.) Walter became a man on this day because he gained pride and dignity for his family. After experiencing the suffering of his family due to his actions, Walter became a man and took responsibility for his actions. The Younger family desired for Walter to be a man and step up to the plate. Walter gained dignity and pride for his family by not giving in to Mr. Lindner and finally listening to Mama.