One of the first ideas mentioned in this play, A Raisin In the Sun, is about money. The Younger’s end up with no money because of Walter’s obsession with it. When Walter decides not to take the extra money he is offered it helps prove Hansberry’s theme. Her theme is that money can’t buy happiness.
This can be seen in Walter’s actions throughout the play. While Mama is talking to Walter, she asks him why he always talks about money. ‘Mama: Oh — So now it’s life. 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.’ Walter thinks that the world revolves around money.
He wants to believe that if his family were rich they would have perfect lives. This isn’t true though, and Mama knows it. She knows that no matter how much money Walter has, he will never be happy unless he has a family that loves him. Before Walter goes out to invest in the liquor store he has a talk with his son. ‘Walter: You wouldn’t understand yet, son, but your daddy’s gonna make a transaction… a business transaction that’s going to change our lives…
.’ Walter thinks that this transaction will make their lives better. What he doesn’t realize is that he already has a good life and he doesn’t need more money to make him happy. He should be grateful for what he has instead of worrying about money. Mama talks to Walter about her fears of the family falling apart. This is the reason she bought the house and she wants him to understand.
The Term Paper on Walter Lee Dream Family Money
... which corrupted him. "Mama: Son -- how come you talk so much 'bout money? Walter: Because it is life, Mama! Mama: Oh -- So now it's life. Money is life.Once upon ... and didn't think about the consequences, which would affect his family. Walter learned that he had to set his dreams aside for ...
Walter doesn’t understand and gets angry. ‘What you need me to say you done right for? You the head of this family. You run our lives like you want to. It was your money and you did what you wanted with it.
So what you need for me to say it was all right for? So you butchered up a dream of mine – you – who always talking ’bout your children’s dreams… .’ Walter is so obsessive over money that he yells at his mom for not giving him all of it. He doesn’t know that what his mom is doing is for the family. He thinks that having money will make the family happy, when in reality the family doesn’t need anymore than what they have to be happy. Throughout this story it is clear that Walter is obsessed with money. He loves it so much that he practically forgets about his family and focuses on himself and his own dreams.
At the very end Walter realizes that money is everything and it doesn’t buy happiness. When Mr. Linder goes over to the Younger’s house to give them the money for a new house Walter doesn’t accept the money. ‘Walter: 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.’ Walter finally realized that his family is more important than money, and decides to move to the white neighborhood like Mama wants. He knows that money won’t make him happy, but his family will.
