Walter responds that “[m]oney is life,” explaining to her that success is now defined by how much money one has. This conversation takes place early in the play and reveals Mama’s and Walter’s economic struggles. These lines demonstrate the ideological differences between their generations.
What does the money represent in a raisin in the sun?
In A Raisin in the Sun money symbolizes the ability to be free from what oppresses each person. Money is a tool that can help them achieve their dreams. In the play, Mama uses the insurance check to put a down payment on a house.
What does Walter Lee want to do with the money?
Mama’s son, Walter Lee, would rather use the money to invest in a liquor store with his friends. He believes that the investment will solve the family’s financial problems forever.
How does the money affect Walter’s character?
He believes, for example, that through his business idea, he will suddenly accumulate all the money he will ever need. Then, with this sudden accumulation of capital, he will improve himself socially and will be looked up to by others — all the people who, he believes, do not think much of him as a man.
What does Mama give Walter the money symbolize?
She gives him the remaining $6,500 of the insurance money, telling him to deposit $3,000 for Beneatha’s education and to keep the last $3,500. With this money, Mama says, Walter should become—and should act like he has become—the head of the family. Walter suddenly becomes more confident and energized.
How does the loss of the money affect Walter?
After Walter loses the insurance money, the family’s dream of moving into the new house no longer seems possible. For one thing, the spirit of optimism that had previously energized everyone has dissipated.
How does the loss of the money affect Walter Beneatha Mama?
With the loss of the money, Mama loses both her dream and her sense of pride, stating that she simply “aimed too high.” Mama references the people who found her too “high-minded,” recalling Mrs. Johnson assimilationist perspective.
Why does Walter get upset when they are talking about the money?
Walter is upset that his mother is using their money to send Beneatha to college while he isn’t allowed to pursue his own dreams.
What idea does Walter get money back?
Walter’s Bright Idea
Walter comes up with an idea to make his situation better. He dreams of opening a liquor store with one of his friends, because he feels it will allow him to make enough money to provide for the family and give him the power to be his own boss.
What does Walter Lee believe in?
In general terms, Walter wants to rise above his class status to gain dignity, pride, and respect. In specific terms, he believes his dream can be achieved by opening a liquor store with some friends as joint investors.
What scene does Walter lose the money?
Act II, scene iii.
What happens to the money that Walter invests in the liquor store?
Eventually, Lena gives in and lets Walter have a big chunk of what’s left to invest however he sees fit. She also trusts her son to put some of the money in a bank account so that Beneatha can go to medical school. Walter doesn’t do this, however, and just hands it all over to Willy Harris for the liquor store.
Does Mama approve Walter’s plan with the money Why or why not?
Because of her religious convictions against liquor drinking, Mama is uninterested in Walter’s dream of getting rich quickly with this scheme. Ruth, Walter’s wife, is so exhausted from overwork that she too is unsympathetic to Walter’s obsession with the money.
What happened to the money Mama gave Walter?
What did Walter do with the money Mama gave him for his liquor store? He gives it to Willy Harris but he scams them and takes the money. Walter’s family is absolutely disgusted by Walter until he stands up to Lindner and refuses the offer to live outside the white neighborhood.
Why does Mama give Walter some of the money in Act 2 Scene 2 of a raisin in the sun?
Johnson leaves and Mama learns that Walter has not been to work in three days, she feels responsible for his despair (“I been doing to you what the rest of the world been doing to you”), so responsible, in fact, that she gives him $6500, all that’s left of the insurance check after her downpayment of $3500 on the
What are 2 symbols in a raisin in the sun?
What are some symbols in A Raisin in the Sun? Some of the symbols are Mama’s plant, Beneatha’s hair, music, the phrase “eat your eggs,” the $10,000 insurance payment, and money more generally.
How much money did Walt end up with?
Walter ended up with zero, as he gave $970,000 to Elliot and Gretchen Schwartz to put in an irrevocable trust and Jack and his crew stole the rest.
How much money did Lena give Walter?
Mama worries about the development of her children, particularly of Walter as his father’s son, and the future of their family. Lena gives Walter the remaining $6,500 to show her faith in him. Lena looks for strength after Walter loses all of the money.
Does Walter lose Beneathas money?
Instead of doing as he was told, Walter invested all of it in a bad business deal and lost all of his and Beneatha’s money in one day.
What is unrealistic about Walter’s attitude towards life?
What is unrealistic about Walter’s attitude toward life? Walter indulges in extravagant dreams with unrealistic solutions to life’s problems. He wants to use all of Mama’s money as a down payment on a liquor store and he plans to go into business with a man whom Ruth does not trust.
Why does Asagai say that the money Walter gave away wasn’t hers?
Asagai reprimands Beneatha for her lack of idealism and her attachment to the money from her father’s death. He says that the money Walter gave away never belonged to Beneatha in the first place. I agree because Beneatha in no way earned the money so it didn’t belong to her.