It is fascinating to see how Walter’s character grows over the course of the film. When Tarek is first arrested, Walter is determined to get him out and has confidence in his ability to do so because his naïve understanding of the severity of the situation. The clearest example of Walter feeling powerless, occurs when Walter wants to know where Tarek was sent. In this scene Walter is visibly powerless and has no control over the outcome. Tarek’s moment of powerlessness occurs when he is taken into custody in the train station without the ability to defend his right to be there, or explain that he has done nothing wrong. As a viewer, this scene was impactful as it showed how he was marginalized and oppressed simply based on his race. …show more content…
In American society, it is often viewed that Caucasian individuals experience more privilege than people of color. This scene is indicative of the cyclical nature of oppressed to oppressors. Instead of taking the time to explain the situation to Walter, the police officer demands that Walter step away from the window. It is clear that Walter is upset and frustrated but instead of supporting him, the officer dehumanises Walter by separating himself as someone in power with control, while defining Walter as someone who is powerless in this difficult situation. There were many examples of strength, perseverance, empowerment, resilience, pride and determination present throughout the course of the movie. Empowerment existed through Tarek’s support of Walter’s desire to learn the drums. Tarek ensured that Walter was inspired and the mutual love for the African drums caused the barrier or culture, race and age to dissipate in the face of this commonality between them. The audience was also aware of Walter’s perseverance in practicing the drums as well as in his insistence to visit and support Tarek, Zainab and Mouna, regardless of only knowing them for a few days. He quit his job and shared this with Mouna at dinner, demonstrating his tremendous amount of pride. This also exhibited his ability to be honest and open in this new relationship, when he came to the realization that he had been pretending to be busy with work and his book.
Every black male's plight in America can be regarded as a provider for his family. However, society does not afford black males the benefit of feeling secure about providing for their families. It can be easy for anyone to criticize society and place the blame on America for not affording Walter the opportunities of his white counterparts. Walter does not have control over his own responsibilities. Therefore, if he was given all the resources needed to provide his family his poor judgement and lack of business sense would create further stress on the family. Ruth, Mama, and his sister Beanetha attack him from every angle about his doubtful ideals. Ironically, those ideals are what Walter needs to shape and justify his manhood. Without ideals and proper resources to obtain them, a man's existence can be regarded as insignificannot
Walter has long dreamed of making his family’s condition better, of giving them wealth that his low-paying job is unable to do. Nature appears to be against Walter and his family, for they are living in a poorly maintained tenement apartment while surrounded with racism. Walter understands this
Walter struggles in understanding who he needs to be for his family. He wants to take his place as the patriarch of the family, but he feels incapable of providing them with the lifestyle they deserve. This concern is always at the forefront of his mind, and it affects his attitude and outlook. The anxiety that Walter is dealing with creates confrontation with his sister. He fears that her dream will interfere with his own agenda of making a better life for his family. The severity of the tension becomes more and more apparent with Walter’s unwise investment. Walter is dealing with the burden that he has let his family down, while Beneatha is flabbergasted by the reality that her future has been snatched away from her, and she had no control over it. While reflecting on the situation, Beneatha remarks, “ I sound like a human who just had her future taken right out of my hands! While I was sleeping….things were happening in this world that directly concerned me and nobody consulted me—they just went out and did things—and changed my life” (Hansberry 3.15). Walter and Beneatha’s individual issues with the outcome of the situation cause them to find fault with one another during a time when their family needs to pull together to get through such a financial hardship. Walter is in an emotional pit; his turning to alcohol and music instead of his family for support expands the
Walter would be the so called ‘typical’ black man archetype, he tries throughout the play to fix the family’s problems of his own accord and does not play much into racial problems except simply distrusting the white man. Walter differs from the other two black archetypes presented in the play as his character seems to be less concerned with racial problems and more concerned with the problems at hand. This can be seen in that most of his thought, speech and effort is more concentrated on his venture to open a liquor store to solve the family’s financial problems. While his character is not heavily concentrated on racial problems, he still has a disdain for the white man which is what
Walter seems to be overcome with a search for power and a drive to become wealthy and leave the life of being a worker behind him. It also shows that he cares for his family seeing how he is striving to give them the best, but that aspect is overshadowed by his greed. I feel the scene also shows the Younger family at its lowest point in the movie. Walter is on the complete edge and is thinking of stealing a community's money and the rest of the family, besides Momma, seemed to lose their faith and trust in him. When things seemed hopeless with the loss of the money, they only became worse as a loss in more than money occurred. A loss in their character, faith, history, and respect for each other overcame the family, particularly Walter and Beneatha. Nevertheless, Momma soon sets Beneatha straight with an emotional and positive speech about how there is "always something left to love" and sets the standard that the family should adhere to. It marks the turning point at the end of the movie
To engage a large audience, Staples appeals to readers with his use to two different points of views throughout the essay: societal views and black views. Staples tries to connect with the readers by giving examples of unconscious thoughts that run through the minds of most people when in the same situation as the “white women.” In his opening sentence, Staples calls the women a “victim.” In her own eyes, she herself was “victim” due to the influence of generalized stereotypes presented in our culture. She becomes quick to judge based on Staples appearance: his skin tone. Because of his color, his every action becomes nothing but threats and anxiety on the women. “She casted a back worried glance. To her, the youngish black- broad six feet two inches with a beard and billowing hair, both hands shoved into the pockets of a
Although Walter makes the worst mistakes out of any other character in the play, he also undergoes the greatest transformation. His journey takes him from a selfish jerk, who was obsessed with get-rich-quick schemes, to a man worthy of respect. Hansberry shows how poverty and racism can twist and depress people, turning them against those that they love the most. Through Walter Hansberry also shows how these social barriers can be overcome through personal determination and staying true to their
Tom and Walter are in similar situations. They are living almost in poverty, and they are denied authority. Walter’s goal is not selfish, in that it is not just for him, but also for the benefit of the entire family.
When Walter loses all his money, he’s willing to lose his dignity and be more aggressive to earn it back. We see this when the money is stolen Walters and how it affects Walters view of manhood when he says, “Mama, you know it’s all divided up. Life is. Sure enough. Between the takers and the “tooken.” (He laughs) I’ve figured it out finally. (He looks around at them) Yeah. Some of us always getting “tooken.” (He laughs) ….But I’ll say one thing for old Willy Harris ... he’s taught me something. He’s taught me to keep my eye on what counts in this world” (141). Walter is willing to go against his morals to get what he wants in life, He takes now and apologizes later, whereas the tooken think through ramifications of their actions and don’t act. After the money is stolen, he is willing to take and win, whereas he had
Because of this Walter has lost his self esteem and will to do anything to make his life better. This is important because it shows that Walter does not have a firm grasp on his own identity.
The film examines systemic and institutional racism in the police station when Hansen talks to his superior officer about switching partners; his superior, Lieutenant Dixon, is a black officer and says that reporting Officer Tom Hansen as a racist could cost all of them their jobs, especially in the LAPD. Dixon suggests transferring to a one-man car and mockingly suggests Hansen explain his request by claiming to have “uncontrollable flatulence” rather than say his partner is racist. We also see instances of where racism is not race against race, it also portrays race against gender and race against class as two major forms of racism conflict in the movie.
No matter how hard they try, there are some people who cannot get ahead in life. Walter Lee Younger is a man who is frustrated with his current position in life, and every disappointment he has encountered thus far. Although he tries to be a loving man, sometimes he does not know how to show the idea of love, 'Sometimes...sometimes...I don't even know how to try' (Hansberry 89). His position in life can be regarded as symbolic of every black male struggling to provide for his family by any means necessary. Although Walter has a job, it seems inadequate for his survival. As a result, he has become frustrated and lacks good judgement. Throughout this play Walter searches
In the play Walter Lee Younger Junior is a 35-year protagonist who can't provide or stand up to be the man to his family. Walter Lee Younger Junior suffered so hard and he was tired of they way him and his family were living in poverty and he's trying to take away poverty from his family and try to figure out a new, and better ways to secure its economic prosperity. Walter is going insane due to all
Walter's frustration festers and his anger turns inward towards his family who, in Walters eyes, do not understand him. Walter's family members do understand him and they also want to amass material dreams, but Walter's family members know that it is going to take work to get there.
Walter is the gem through which intersectionality at the micro-level may be recognized. Walter is conscious of the injustices and critical perpetuated by his country’s unfair immigration policies which allows innocent people to be detained and deported. Walter was aware that as a white man the unintentional mistreatment that could be done through the lack of knowledge of Tarek, Zainab and Mouna’s experiences. Through Walter the viewer can see how political oppression affects innocent people like Tarek. Walter was willing to support and advocate for Tarek against the unjust and racist injustices of the immigration policies in America. This was remarkable when you consider the privilege of white men like Walter, their class, age and education and social status.