Walter Lee Younger. Father. Son. Husband. Brother. Entrepreneur.
Brief Description: Walter Younger is a 35 year old African-American man who serves as a husband, father, brother and son. In addition to serving as these roles to his family, he is also an entrepreneur struggling to improve the living conditions of his family and prove himself as a man. Walter can be described as an attractive man who is very ambitious, stubborn and filled with pride. In the beginning of the story, he is a very selfish man but through the story he begins to evolve, but still manages to keep his pride. Walter is a round and dynamic character in this story who experiences the most growth. His dream of obtaining wealth is a large part of his character and a source of many of the conflicts in the play. The motivations behind his dreams are both selfish and noble; one one hand, he wants to become rich because he never had enough growing up, but at the same time he wants money and respect for his family, he wants to provide his wife and son with the best. These different motivations behind Walter’s actions are all aspects of his complex personality.
Dynamic Character Traits:
Walter is more selfish and stubborn in the beginning of the story. He always tried to take the easy route out of things but he started to change after he lost all of his money after his friend’s betrayal. Most of the play was centered around Walter’s goal to acquire the money to start his business and therefore when he loses it all, it leaves a lasting impression on his character. Towards the end of the story he starts thinking about others and is willing to work for things. “One thing ‘bout brother, he always know how to have a good time. And soooooo ambitious! I bet it was his idea y’all moving out to Clybourne Park.” (Pg. 1910- Johnson) This quote shows that how ambitious Walter was in the beginning of the story. He focused more on himself and his future dreams of being rich.
This shows how he was once ambitious and wanted to reach his goal. but later in the play when he wants to give up and accept the money is when he reaches his lowest point, and that dramatic fall in his character is the reason why he experiences the most growth after that scene. He had a changing experience during that scene, and he came out as a different person. “... just put the money in my hand and you won’t have to live next to this bunch of stinking niggers!...and maybe-maybe I’ll just get down on my black knees…” (pg. 1931) This quote shows the disintegration of his ambition towards his goals and acts as a representation of the the lowest point of Walter’s life. “That is not a man. That is nothing but a toothless rat.” (Pg. 1931-Beneatha) His family feels disconnected with Walter during this scene and so when he later changes his mind about accepting the money and shows his growth, the family unit becomes stronger. “And we have decided to move into our house because my father-my father- he earned it for us brick by brick. We don’t want to make no trouble for nobody or fight no causes, and we will try to be good neighbors. And that’s all we got to say about that. We don’t want your money. (Pg.1933-Walter) This is the decision Walter ends up making, the part where the reader realizes how much Walter has changed. His family’s opinion changes as well as demonstrated when mama says “He finally come into his manhood today, didn’t he? Kind of like a rainbow after the rain…” (Pg. 1935- mama).
Round Character Traits:
“He is a lean, intense young man in his middle thirties, inclined to quick nervous movements and erratic speech habits- and always in his voice there is a quality of indictment.” (Pg. 1872- narration) Walter is by nature a serious man with lots of pride. His very speech is described as having a “quality of indictment” meaning he can sound accusing and harsh, which shows often throughout the play. His character is very restless, as he is not satisfied with his current standard of living. Walter wants more from his life by starting a business to earn money and with it, respect. This need of his alters his character as he becomes emotionally unstable by drinking away his anger and frustration. His mother even says to him “Something eating you up like a crazy man. Something more than me not giving you this money. The past few years I been watching it happen to you. You get all nervous acting and kind of wild in the eyes.” (pg.1895-mama). Although he is a round character, which is evident by his change from being selfish to considerate of his family’s needs, his pride and ambition do not diminish because they compose his “inner state”. At the end of the play, when Walter decides to move into the white-exclusive neighborhood, his prideful nature is shown, but also his desire to do what is best for his family, “What i am telling you is that we called you over here to tell you that we are proud and that this...We don’t want your money.” Throughout the entire play, part of Walter’s ambition is due to his need to provide for his family, his reasons were only partially selfish, as he cared a lot for his family and wanted to provide them with the best from life. This is evident when he says to his son “What i am telling you is that we called you over here to tell you that we are proud and that this...We don’t want your money.” (Pg. 1933)
Walter's Personality:
Walter Younger has a complex personality with different traits. For much of the story we see Walter as an ambitious man that never attained his dreams before he married and settled. Walter longs for a better life with respect and money, and in the play we see that he will do anything to attain his goals. "Do you know what this money means to me? Do you know what this money can do for us? Mama- Mama- I want so many things…” (Walter Pg. 1895) His dissatisfaction with his life is evident from his talk about starting a business, something he reminds his wife everyday,“I got a dream...I got to take hold of this here world, baby!” (Walter Pg. 1876) This pride is what causes Walter many issues, another side to his personality. Often times, he is characterized in a selfish light, for example, when he loses all of the invested money including his sister’s school fees. We see Walter at his lowest point after this event, when he momentarily lets go of his pride that was a large component of his character. He offers to give in to Lindor’s deal, to make up for his mistakes. “That white man is going to walk in that door able to write checks for more money than we ever had....I’m going to put on a show mama” (Walter pg. 1931) However, we see that Walter’s pride is a dominant trait to his personality as he ultimately does not go through with this plan, “What i am telling you is that we called you over here to tell you that we are proud and that..We don’t want your money.” After this altercation, the family sees the caring side of Walter that wants the best for his family; “He finally come into his manhood today, didn’t he? Kind of like a rainbow after the rain…” (Mama Pg. 1935)
Walter's Motivations:
Walter’s motivation for achieving his dream is a mixture of a selfishness, greed, and love for his family. On one hand, Walter longs for a better life than what he currently has. He wants money and societal respect, and he fears for his own future;“Sometimes it’s like I can see the future stretched out in front of me- just plain as day. The future, Mama. Hanging over there at the edge of my days. Just waiting- a big, looming blank space- full of nothing.” (Walter Pg. 1896) Part of his motivation stems from the things he didn’t have growing up, it is evident in the play that the Youngers were not a well off family, and this lack of luxury is what caused Walter’s craving for more. His mother even says “You something new, boy. In my time we was worried about not being lynched and getting to the North if we could and how to stay alive and still have a pinch of dignity too… Now here come you and Beneatha- talking ‘bout things we ain’t never even thought about hardly, me and your daddy. You ain’t satisfied or proud of nothing we done.” (Mama Pg. 1896) however, Walter is not completely driven by selfish desires, his actions in the play are sometimes justified out of love for his family. He wants the best kind of life for his wife and son, something he feels he needs to provide them as man of the house, thus increasing his motivation to achieve his goals. “Hell, yes, I want me some yachts some day! Yes, I want to hang some real pearls around my wife’s neck. Ain’t she supposed to wear no pearls? ...I tell you I am a man-and I think my wife should wear some pearls in this world!”
Walter is more selfish and stubborn in the beginning of the story. He always tried to take the easy route out of things but he started to change after he lost all of his money after his friend’s betrayal. Most of the play was centered around Walter’s goal to acquire the money to start his business and therefore when he loses it all, it leaves a lasting impression on his character. Towards the end of the story he starts thinking about others and is willing to work for things. “One thing ‘bout brother, he always know how to have a good time. And soooooo ambitious! I bet it was his idea y’all moving out to Clybourne Park.” (Pg. 1910- Johnson) This quote shows that how ambitious Walter was in the beginning of the story. He focused more on himself and his future dreams of being rich.
This shows how he was once ambitious and wanted to reach his goal. but later in the play when he wants to give up and accept the money is when he reaches his lowest point, and that dramatic fall in his character is the reason why he experiences the most growth after that scene. He had a changing experience during that scene, and he came out as a different person. “... just put the money in my hand and you won’t have to live next to this bunch of stinking niggers!...and maybe-maybe I’ll just get down on my black knees…” (pg. 1931) This quote shows the disintegration of his ambition towards his goals and acts as a representation of the the lowest point of Walter’s life. “That is not a man. That is nothing but a toothless rat.” (Pg. 1931-Beneatha) His family feels disconnected with Walter during this scene and so when he later changes his mind about accepting the money and shows his growth, the family unit becomes stronger. “And we have decided to move into our house because my father-my father- he earned it for us brick by brick. We don’t want to make no trouble for nobody or fight no causes, and we will try to be good neighbors. And that’s all we got to say about that. We don’t want your money. (Pg.1933-Walter) This is the decision Walter ends up making, the part where the reader realizes how much Walter has changed. His family’s opinion changes as well as demonstrated when mama says “He finally come into his manhood today, didn’t he? Kind of like a rainbow after the rain…” (Pg. 1935- mama).
Round Character Traits:
“He is a lean, intense young man in his middle thirties, inclined to quick nervous movements and erratic speech habits- and always in his voice there is a quality of indictment.” (Pg. 1872- narration) Walter is by nature a serious man with lots of pride. His very speech is described as having a “quality of indictment” meaning he can sound accusing and harsh, which shows often throughout the play. His character is very restless, as he is not satisfied with his current standard of living. Walter wants more from his life by starting a business to earn money and with it, respect. This need of his alters his character as he becomes emotionally unstable by drinking away his anger and frustration. His mother even says to him “Something eating you up like a crazy man. Something more than me not giving you this money. The past few years I been watching it happen to you. You get all nervous acting and kind of wild in the eyes.” (pg.1895-mama). Although he is a round character, which is evident by his change from being selfish to considerate of his family’s needs, his pride and ambition do not diminish because they compose his “inner state”. At the end of the play, when Walter decides to move into the white-exclusive neighborhood, his prideful nature is shown, but also his desire to do what is best for his family, “What i am telling you is that we called you over here to tell you that we are proud and that this...We don’t want your money.” Throughout the entire play, part of Walter’s ambition is due to his need to provide for his family, his reasons were only partially selfish, as he cared a lot for his family and wanted to provide them with the best from life. This is evident when he says to his son “What i am telling you is that we called you over here to tell you that we are proud and that this...We don’t want your money.” (Pg. 1933)
Walter's Personality:
Walter Younger has a complex personality with different traits. For much of the story we see Walter as an ambitious man that never attained his dreams before he married and settled. Walter longs for a better life with respect and money, and in the play we see that he will do anything to attain his goals. "Do you know what this money means to me? Do you know what this money can do for us? Mama- Mama- I want so many things…” (Walter Pg. 1895) His dissatisfaction with his life is evident from his talk about starting a business, something he reminds his wife everyday,“I got a dream...I got to take hold of this here world, baby!” (Walter Pg. 1876) This pride is what causes Walter many issues, another side to his personality. Often times, he is characterized in a selfish light, for example, when he loses all of the invested money including his sister’s school fees. We see Walter at his lowest point after this event, when he momentarily lets go of his pride that was a large component of his character. He offers to give in to Lindor’s deal, to make up for his mistakes. “That white man is going to walk in that door able to write checks for more money than we ever had....I’m going to put on a show mama” (Walter pg. 1931) However, we see that Walter’s pride is a dominant trait to his personality as he ultimately does not go through with this plan, “What i am telling you is that we called you over here to tell you that we are proud and that..We don’t want your money.” After this altercation, the family sees the caring side of Walter that wants the best for his family; “He finally come into his manhood today, didn’t he? Kind of like a rainbow after the rain…” (Mama Pg. 1935)
Walter's Motivations:
Walter’s motivation for achieving his dream is a mixture of a selfishness, greed, and love for his family. On one hand, Walter longs for a better life than what he currently has. He wants money and societal respect, and he fears for his own future;“Sometimes it’s like I can see the future stretched out in front of me- just plain as day. The future, Mama. Hanging over there at the edge of my days. Just waiting- a big, looming blank space- full of nothing.” (Walter Pg. 1896) Part of his motivation stems from the things he didn’t have growing up, it is evident in the play that the Youngers were not a well off family, and this lack of luxury is what caused Walter’s craving for more. His mother even says “You something new, boy. In my time we was worried about not being lynched and getting to the North if we could and how to stay alive and still have a pinch of dignity too… Now here come you and Beneatha- talking ‘bout things we ain’t never even thought about hardly, me and your daddy. You ain’t satisfied or proud of nothing we done.” (Mama Pg. 1896) however, Walter is not completely driven by selfish desires, his actions in the play are sometimes justified out of love for his family. He wants the best kind of life for his wife and son, something he feels he needs to provide them as man of the house, thus increasing his motivation to achieve his goals. “Hell, yes, I want me some yachts some day! Yes, I want to hang some real pearls around my wife’s neck. Ain’t she supposed to wear no pearls? ...I tell you I am a man-and I think my wife should wear some pearls in this world!”