A Raisin in the Sun

In A Raisin in the Sun by Lorraine Hansberry, Walter Lee Younger displays irresponsibility continuously throughout the play. The play is set during a time when racism was still occurring, making life for black families such as the Youngers hard. The lack of money seems to be the main cause of arguments and problems in the Younger household. Walter Lee is a man working a job of driving a man in a limousine, barely earning enough to support the family. Walter Lee complains to Mama about his job. “A job. (looks at her) Mama, a job? I open and close car doors all day long. I drive a man around in his limousine and say, ‘Yes sir,’ ‘No sir,’ ‘Very good, sir,’ ‘Shall I take the drive, sir?’ Mama, that ain’t no kind of job-that ain’t nothing at all. (very quietly) Mama, I don’t know if I can make you understand.” Apparently nobody seems to understand Walter. He is a very selfish, angry, materialistic, greedy, and corrupted man. He hates that his job provides money just enough for his family without there being any left over for the family to spend on. He did not like it when Ruth told Travis that she was not able to give him fifty cents because they could not afford it. Walter heard this and gets upset. He gives Travis a dollar instead, challenging Ruth. It upsets him since he knows he is not able to give his son pocket money because he would go broke himself.
Beneatha, Walter’s sister, is lost in her African American Heritage, but Walter can’t seem to look at things her way. His idea in the pursuit of happiness is through the definition of money. Money is everything to Walter.
Mama. Son-how come you talk so much ‘bout money?
Walter. (with immense passion) Because it is life, Mama!
Mama. (quietly) Oh-(very quietly) So now money is life. Once upon a time freedom used to be life-now it’s money. I guess the world really do change…
Walter. No-it was always money, Mama. We just didn’t know about it.(page 74)

Money is status. Money is wealth. Money is