Raisin In The Sun Jealousy

In a family full of strong personalities, competition, and jealousy, the end result of competition and jealousy leaves one winner and one loser. The loser never sees his flaws, only what he believes is right; his point of view. Walter, the protagonist in the literary drama Raisin in the Sun, is competing with his sister Beneatha to achieve his dream of liquor store ownership. His sister, Beneatha wants to be a doctor, a more noble goal for Mama than a liquor store. In Lorraine Hansberry’s play, jealousy, bitterness, and selfishness cloud Walter’s judgement on what is best for his family. As a result Walter is unwilling to let go of his dream to save his family. When Act 1 begins, Walter is anxious about the delivery of a $10,000 check. He …show more content…
She tracks him down at the bar and offers him a chance to put money, “ in a checking account with your name on it.” In this scene Mama shows great faith in Walter's ability to focus on his family not his foolish idea. Unfortunately, Walter sees the cash as one last shot at his dream and takes it. He entirely ignores the opportunity to prove himself worthy of being the man of the family. Walter's climatic fall comes in Act 3 when he desperately explains to Mama “ Yes! All of it... it's gone....” After he spent all the money she gave him to put into the bank for himself and his sister Beneatha. At that moment Walter hit rock bottom realizing that he had spent his father's blood, sweat and tears on an unrealistic dream of …show more content…
He makes a call in an attempt to be the man of the family, to try and sell the house for what it is worth. Realizing what Walter is doing Mama starts to express her disappointment in her son. “ You making something inside me cry, son. Some awful pain inside me.” Walter is dumbstruck by this comment. When the man that comes into the apartment to buy the house Walter starts telling him the story of how his father once killed a man for looking at him the wrong way. At that moment Walter finally becomes aware that he needs to take care of his family and forget about himself for once. He declines the offer for the house showing Mama that he is finally ready to accept the role as the family's matriarch. Towards the end of Act 3 Mama whispers to Ruth, “ He finally come into his manhood today, didn't he? Kind of like a rainbow after the rain...” Walter has finally grown into the role of the patriarch and is ready to accept the