Walter's Alcoholism: A Raisin In The Sun

In Lorraine Hansberry's play A Raisin in the Sun, Walter Lee Younger is a complex character who embodies the struggles of a mid-twentieth-century Black man trying to provide for his family. While Walter is not an explicit alcoholic, his relationship with alcohol is a significant aspect of his character. He is often frustrated with his life circumstances and turns to alcohol as a coping mechanism, especially when facing difficulties and barriers, such as systemic racism, that hinder his family's economic prosperity. Walter's desire to invest in a liquor store further highlights his association with alcohol, although his true motivation is the desire to lead his family and gain their approval.

Walter's desire for alcohol is driven by his emotions and ambitions

Walter Lee Younger, the protagonist of Lorraine Hansberry's "A Raisin in the Sun," is a complex character whose desire for alcohol is driven by his emotions and ambitions. While he is not a perfect husband, brother, father, or son, Walter is the most dynamic character in the play, undergoing a significant transformation by its end.

Walter's desire for alcohol is often interpreted as a symptom of his underlying emotional struggles and unfulfilled ambitions. He is frustrated with his current position in life and feels disappointed by his inability to provide for his family. Walter's frustration stems from his desire to be the head of the family, a role that traditionally belongs to the matriarch, Mama. This power dynamic creates tension within the family, as Walter desperately seeks their approval and praise.

Walter's emotions are further complicated by his ambitious nature. He dreams of owning a liquor store, seeing it as a way to improve his family's financial situation and gain their respect. However, his plans are met with ridicule and rejection, particularly from Mama, who wields the insurance money with authority. This dynamic further fuels Walter's emotional turmoil and sense of failure, driving him to confide in alcohol for solace.

The severity of Walter's emotional turmoil becomes apparent through his unwise investment decisions and frequent emotional breakdowns. He experiences highs and lows, showcasing his emotional volatility. For example, he reaches a high point when he is about to buy the liquor store but hits rock bottom when he discovers Willy has run off with the money. This rollercoaster of emotions likely contributes to his desire for alcohol as a means of escape or self-medication.

Walter's emotions and ambitions are also influenced by his father, Big Walter, whose presence looms large in the play despite his absence on stage. Big Walter's death results in the insurance payout that becomes a central point of contention in the family. Walter Lee's desire to invest in the liquor store reflects his inheritance of his father's tendency to dream big. This connection between father and son underscores the intergenerational struggle of the Younger family to rise above their circumstances.

In conclusion, Walter's desire for alcohol in "A Raisin in the Sun" is driven by his complex emotions and ambitious nature. His frustration with his position in life, desire for familial approval, and unfulfilled dreams fuel his emotional turmoil, leading him to seek solace in alcohol. While Walter's relationship with alcohol highlights his flaws, it also underscores his humanity and the universal struggle for self-improvement.

His alcoholism is a symptom of his flawed pursuit of manhood

Walter Lee Younger, the protagonist of Lorraine Hansberry's play "A Raisin in the Sun," is a complex character whose alcoholism can be understood as a symptom of his flawed pursuit of manhood.

Walter is frustrated with his current position in life and yearns to be the head of the family, a position held by his mother, known as "Mama." He is driven by his emotions and ambitions, and his desire to be someone significant is often at odds with the reality of his situation. Walter's pursuit of manhood is flawed because he initially seeks it through individual achievement and providing for his family economically, rather than through unity and shared dreams with his family.

Walter's desire to be the family's breadwinner and provider is a reflection of the image of manhood promoted by the capitalist society of his time. He believes that money will solve all their problems, and he becomes obsessed with the idea of buying a liquor store as a means to better his family's life. However, his pursuit of this dream is flawed because it is driven by his own insecurities and a desire to prove himself, rather than by a true understanding of what his family needs.

When Walter's plans to buy the liquor store fall through due to an unwise investment, he turns to alcohol as a solution. His alcoholism is a symptom of his flawed pursuit of manhood because it is a way for him to escape the burden of his failures and the disappointment of letting his family down. Instead of facing his problems head-on and uniting with his family, he seeks solace in alcohol.

Despite his flaws, Walter is not a villainous character. He possesses virtues such as forthrightness, courage, strength, love, and human warmth. His eventual rise to manhood comes when he stands up to Mr. Lindner and refuses his offer to buy their newly purchased home in a white neighborhood. This act of defiance, inspired by the memory of his hardworking father, Big Walter, marks Walter's acceptance of his family's dreams and his understanding that unity and shared aspirations are more important than individual achievements.

In conclusion, Walter's alcoholism in "A Raisin in the Sun" is a symptom of his flawed pursuit of manhood. His initial attempts to prove himself through economic success and individual achievement lead to disappointment and failure. However, through his struggles, he eventually finds his true path to manhood by uniting with his family and standing up for their shared dreams.

Walter's drinking is a result of his inability to achieve his dreams

Walter Lee Younger, a central character in Lorraine Hansberry's play "A Raisin in the Sun", is a complex individual who embodies the struggles and aspirations of a mid-twentieth-century Black man. While he is not a perfect husband, brother, father, or son, his character undergoes significant development throughout the play, ultimately rising to manhood in the final scene.

Walter's drinking is presented as a symptom of his unfulfilled dreams and frustrations with his life. He is driven by emotions and ambitions, longing to be the head of his family and to gain their approval. However, he faces constant barriers, primarily due to systemic racism, which hinder his ability to achieve his dreams and provide for his family. This leads to feelings of desperation and disappointment, which he attempts to escape through alcohol.

Walter's desire to be someone and to lead his family is evident in his initial insistence on using the insurance money from his father's death to buy a liquor store. He sees this as a way to improve his family's financial situation and gain respect. However, his mother, Mama, rejects this idea, highlighting her dominance and Walter's inability to make decisions for the family. This rejection, along with the burden of letting his family down through an unwise investment, contributes to Walter's emotional turmoil and reliance on alcohol for solace.

Throughout the play, Walter struggles to support his family and is constantly seeking new schemes to secure their economic prosperity. He believes that money will solve all their problems, but his attempts are rarely successful, further fueling his frustrations. Walter's drinking can be seen as an escape from the weight of these disappointments and the pressure of providing for his family.

Additionally, Walter's drinking may also be influenced by his father, Big Walter, who played a crucial role in the play despite not appearing on stage. Big Walter was a dreamer who worked tirelessly to give his children a better life. Walter Lee's desire to invest in the liquor store reflects his inheritance of his father's tendency to dream big. The similarities between father and son suggest that drinking could be a generational response to the challenges they face in striving for a better life.

In conclusion, Walter's drinking in "A Raisin in the Sun" can be understood as a result of his inability to achieve his dreams and the resulting emotional turmoil. His drinking is a coping mechanism, a way to escape the constant disappointments and the pressure of providing for his family in a society riddled with systemic racism. Through Walter's character, Hansberry presents a nuanced portrayal of a man struggling to find his place and purpose within a flawed social order.

Alcohol is an escape from his family's financial hardship

In Lorraine Hansberry's "A Raisin in the Sun", Walter Lee Younger is a complex character who embodies the struggles of a mid-twentieth-century Black man trying to provide for his family. While he is not an alcoholic, he does turn to alcohol as a coping mechanism amidst financial hardship and unfulfilled aspirations.

Walter, frustrated with his stagnant life, yearns for financial stability and a chance to lead his family. When the family receives a $10,000 insurance payout following the death of Walter Sr. (Big Walter), Walter sees an opportunity to fulfil his dreams. He initially plans to invest in a liquor store, believing it will improve his family's financial situation. However, this decision is met with opposition from his mother, Mama, who wants to use the money to buy a house.

Walter's desire to own a liquor store stems from his ambition to become someone of significance and gain his family's approval. He feels the weight of providing for his family and believes that financial success will solve their problems. However, his plans are dealt a blow when Willy runs off with the money. This setback pushes Walter into an emotional pit, and he turns to alcohol as a means of escape.

Alcohol becomes a way for Walter to numb the pain of his unfulfilled dreams and the guilt of letting his family down. He finds temporary solace in drinking, unable to confront his family about his failures. Walter's relationship with alcohol reflects his internal turmoil and the pressure he feels to be the family's saviour.

However, it is important to note that Walter's character arc in "A Raisin in the Sun" is one of growth and redemption. Despite his initial flaws and misguided decisions, he eventually realises that uniting with his family is the path to true strength. He listens to Mama and his wife, Ruth, understanding their dream of owning a home. This marks a turning point in Walter's character, as he stands up to Mr. Lindner, refusing his offer to buy their new house in a white neighbourhood. Walter's belated rise to manhood transforms him into a hero, showcasing his courage and love for his family.

In conclusion, while Walter is not an alcoholic, alcohol does serve as a temporary escape from the financial hardships and emotional burdens he faces throughout the play. His relationship with alcohol highlights the internal struggles of a man desperate to provide for his family and find his place in a society riddled with systemic racism and economic barriers.

Walter's alcoholism is a form of self-gratification

In Lorraine Hansberry's play, "A Raisin in the Sun," Walter Lee Younger's alcoholism is indeed a form of self-gratification. Walter, frustrated with his life situation and struggling to provide for his family, turns to alcohol as a coping mechanism.

Walter's alcoholism is a symptom of his dissatisfaction and unfulfilled ambitions. He feels trapped in his role as a chauffeur for a rich white man and longs to be the head of his family and a successful provider. When he receives money from his father's insurance payout, he sees it as a chance to fulfil his dreams of buying a liquor store and becoming someone his family can look up to. However, his plans are met with criticism and rejection by his mother, Mama, who wants to use the money to buy a house.

Walter's desire for alcohol and his dream of owning a liquor store are intertwined. On the surface, it seems that he is simply chasing a business opportunity, but in reality, his desire for the liquor store is a manifestation of his deeper longing for control, status, and the approval of his family. Walter's alcoholism is a way for him to escape his feelings of inadequacy and the pressures of being the man of the house.

Throughout the play, Walter's character evolves significantly. He starts to listen to the dreams of Mama and his wife, Ruth, and realizes that their desire for a house is more important than his get-rich-quick schemes. He eventually stands up to Mr. Lindner, refusing his offer to buy their newly purchased home in a white neighborhood. This moment marks Walter's rise to manhood, as he puts his family's welfare before his own desires, demonstrating his ability to unite with his family and prioritize their collective dreams.

Walter's alcoholism, therefore, serves as a form of self-gratification in the face of his unfulfilled ambitions and the pressures he faces as a mid-twentieth-century Black man trying to provide for his family. His journey towards maturity involves recognizing the impact of his actions on his family and learning to seek strength in unity rather than finding solace in alcohol.

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