Madison Scheuneman
Lorraine Hansberry created a cast of unique characters in her 1959 play A Raisin in the Sun. Each character is a complex individual who has been molded by the circumstances of the world around them. Walter Lee Younger is a character, who at first seems rather easy to categorize as selfish and sexist and nothing more, but is actually a character with far more depth. Combined with Hansberry’s original portrayal of him in her manuscript, and Sidney Poitier’s portrayal of Walter in the 1961 film directed by Daniel Petrie by the same title we see his character come to life in a brand new way. While Hansberry’s descriptions of each of her characters are extremely detailed in physical appearance, personality, and physical action, it takes Poitier’s performance to translate Hansberry’s vision that was hidden between the lines of her stage directions and character descriptions.
Hansberry’s first description of Walter is “He is a lean, intense young man in his middle thirties, inclined to quick nervous movements and errict speech habits–and always in his voice there is a quality of indictment” (25). The word “intense” is a really interesting one especially when examining it in relation to Walter’s characterization. “Intense” is a pretty subjective term that can be interpreted with varying connotations. When I think “intense” I think more of an aggressive, yet an adult-like, behavior that is often brought on by extremely negative emotions that is used as an intimidation technique. This single word negated the phrase “…quick nervous movements…” almost entirely as I read Hansberry’s play because of the sheer power I relate the word to (25). Even so the way Poitier performs doesn’t seem to encompass the idea of “…quick nervous movements…” so much as childish and almost manic (Hansberry 25). When looking at the first time that Walter is introduced in the film we see the same sequence that Hansberry wrote in which Ruth tries to wake him up just like she did her son, Travis. But once Walter actually gets moving, he literally kicks the blankets off of himself and pouts as a child who does not want to wake up would (A Raisin in the Sun 3:41). He then quite literally bursts into movement, running wildly around the apartment, collecting his clothing and other things that he’ll need to prepare himself for the day (A Raisin in the Sun 3:57). In this instant Ruth is forced to act as more of a mother figure to Walter than taking on the role of his wife.
As the film progresses alongside the play we see Walter’s story play out the way Hansberry had intended it to. In the final scenes of both the play and the film we see the moment in which Walter steps away from this childish attitude of his. Prior to the scene in which Walter chooses not to take Linder’s money he never stops moving. Poitier captures Walter’s personality by keeping him in constant motion no matter how small it may be such as the jittery movements of his fingers as Bobo tells him the bad news about the money (A Raisin in the Sun 1:39:17). When it comes to finally facing Linder all over again, this time feeling the pride in his family that has been passed down from generation to generation, as Mama would say, Poitier finally allows Walter to stand mostly still, but something particular seems to bring this on. When Ruth and Walter try to send Travis away Mama says “‘And you make him understand what you’re doing Walter Lee. You teach him good, like Willy Harris taught you. You show him where our five generations done come to son. Go ahead. Go ahead” (A Raisin in the Sun 1:59:42). As Mama gives this speech Walter stands so straight and still that he almost looks like a statue. Knowing that his son will forever remember this moment Walter is forced to make a split second decision that will determine the future of his entire family, and he must take Mama’s words into consideration as he does so. Poitere quite literally shows us the subtleness of Walter’s transformation into the man Mama always wanted him to be by finally removing those constant childish moments that has become a huge part of Walter’s characterization. This visual representation of this moment creates a clear moment when Walter is able to call himself worthy of the role of the family head that he has so desperately wanted to take on.
This dynamic role of Walter Lee Younger is an interesting one that takes both reading the play and watching an actor’s portrayal to best see what it was Hansberry was trying to accomplish in creating his character. Walter is far more than the surface level character he may originally seem to be.
- How did Sidney Poitier’s portrayal of Walter differ or align with your imaging of the character? How did this difference or similarity either alter or enhance your understanding of Walter as a character?
- Do you think Walter’s character actually developed throughout the play or was this change a temporary one that was influenced by his son’s presence?
Work Cited
Hansberry, Lorraine. A Raisin in the Sun. New York: Vintage, 1994. Print.
Susskind, David et al. A Raisin in the Sun . Culver City, California: Columbia Tristar Home Video, 1999. Film.
Hey there Madison, I really enjoy the portion of your post where you related the erratic description of Walter in the book and the point of it lacking in the beginning scene of the movie. In response to the question of whether Walter’s character did develop by the end of the play, I believe that he did express character development and not simply because of his son being in the room for the encounter. One representation of this belief is where Walter in the final scene of the play conveys that “…we have decided to move into our house because my father- my father- he earned it for us brick by brick (Hansberry 148). Walter in his final confrontation with Mr. Lindner ultimately decides that his family will not be paid to prevent them from moving into the house they want. In addition to his son Travis being a major influence in this decision, his father’s strong memory pushes Walter to follow in his footsteps as well.
Works Cited
Hansberry, Lorraine. A Raisin in the Sun. New York: Vintage, 1994. Print.
Hi Madison, I really liked how one of your focus questions was “How did Sidney Poitier’s portrayal of Walter differ or align with your imaging of the character? How did this difference or similarity either alter or enhance your understanding of Walter as a character?” After reading the play I myself wasn’t really sure about Walters true intentions. I envisioned him as a stubborn man, selfish to his pregnant wife, and really irresponsible because he lost the money. I was unsure if he really grew into manhood by the end of the play or just wanted to make his mom happy for what he did. Nevertheless, after watching the film, A Raisin in The Sun, I saw where his attitude towards work is rooted. Mama says to Ruth while looking at a picture of her late husband “You know big Walt always hated the idea of being a servant, man’s hands meant to turn the Earth with.” (A Raisin in the Sun-15:48) Mama then says your husband Walter is just like him. Watching Mama visually in the film say those lines put into perspective of where Walters’ actions are rooted. I was able to understand the character better through the film. My views of Walter were made clear that he was genuinely so invested into the liquor store and making money for his family, he just needed to be guided in the right direction. Seeing how Mama connected Walter and Big Walter helped me realize they are so alike and want whats best for the family.
Hansberry, Lorraine. A Raisin in the Sun. New York: Vintage, 1994. Print.
Hi Madison! I really like how you focused on Walter and used both the book and the movie in your blog post to back up your ideas. In response to your second question, I believe that Walter’s character developed by the end of the play due to a bunch of challenges. We see Walters dreams being crushed and I believe that Walter developed a new perspective after this. Walter not only wants to make his son proud, but his family as well. Walter becomes a man when he turns down Mr. Linder’s offer. Walter says “Yeah. Well-what I mean is that we come from people who had a lot of pride. I mean- we are very proud people” (Hansberry 148). Walter finally realized that The Younger family has too much pride to let Mr. Linder stop them from moving. Walter’s character development occurred towards the end of the play when Walter finally decides to become a man and move into the house.
Hi Madison, I really enjoyed reading your blog post! I think that Walter’s Portrayal in the movie and in the book were pretty similar. I thought that in the movie Walter seemed to show the same emotions that Hansberry wanted the readers to feel throughout the book. I think that Walter’s character did develop throughout the story and he was not just putting on an act in front of his son. Before Linder comes over Walter says, “I’m going to put on the show, Mama” (Hansberry 143). And while talking to Linder, not too long after his previous statement, he says, “What I am telling you is that we called you over here to tell you that we are very proud” (Hansberry 148). This shows that even in this short amount of time Walter has come to some realizations and has shown some character development.
Hansberry, Lorraine. A Raisin in the Sun. New York: Vintage, 1994. Print.
Hi Madison! I really enjoyed you blog post and I loved your interpretation on the character of Walter. In regards to your first question, my thoughts on the character of Walter shifted completely from book to screen. When reading the book Walter was my least favorite character. In the book he annoyed me with his constant obsession with the check and wanting it for his own needs instead of having Mama decide what to do with it. There is also one scene where Mama and Walter have a conversation about the value of money. Mama says, “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…” and then Walter replies “No- it was always money, Mama. We just didn’t know about it” (Hansberry 74). While reading this conversation between Mama and Walter I was mad with Walter’s blatant disregard for Mama’s struggles in her time. He says that “it was always money” but doesn’t acknowledge that Mama had it much harder than he did. Yet, when watching the film my perspective on Walter changed. For me, while watching the film, I actually felt bad for Walter. At one point in the film we see this short section where it shows Walter working his job. This was not described in the book but seemed like an addition to the film that the director must have thought was important to add. I really liked that they added this short section to the film because it really changed my perspective on Walter’s character. Walter is an ambitious and talkative man while in his household. Yet, when he is shown working his job, he is quiet and quick to respond to the demands of others. He visually looks defeated. This shows that money actually is everything to Walter. In Walter’s eyes money gives opportunities and a chance for a better life.
Hi Madison. I liked how you decided to compare Walter from the play to Walter in the movie. In regards to your second question I feel like Walter in the play doesn’t develop and that he goes through a temporary change. I feel this way because Walter was the one who reached out to Mr. Linder “…I’m telling you that’s what’s going to happen” (Hansberry 142). So, Walter was going to take Mr. Linder’s money until most of the family disapproved and felt like he lost his pride. Then when Mr. Linder shows up Travis is supposed to be separated from the room but Mama tells him to stay so now Walter has to think do I go through with my plan or make a point for my son. So, with all the pressure of the situation that is why I feel like Walter makes the decision he made but I don’t see this as Walter developing.
Work Cited
Hansberry, Lorraine. A Raisin in the Sun. New York: Vintage, 1994. Print.
Hi Madison! Great post, I really enjoyed that you took a deeper look into the differences between Walter in the movie vs. Walter in the book! Despite him being my least favorite character he is also the one that intrigues me the most. He spends the whole book acting like a childish fool and looses all of his fathers money that he spent his whole life breaking his back over. While this translated into the film and still shows his reckless behavior, there is something different. It made him more likable to me. Even with saying the exact same words as in the book, the scene where he was meant to beg on his knees for money from the “welcoming committee”, he cannot find it in himself to do it. While reading the book I assumed it was because he was in front of Travis, and while this is still true there was an additional element that I saw in the movie that felt like it had more weight. Walter fathers memory. Walter takes what Mama says to heart, and what he has done to the money, realizing the true gravity of the situation. It was not just money it was what his father left behind. Although, that was not the only thing Mr. Younger left behind. In the movie when Walter says “My father almost beat a man half to death for calling him a name” Shows that despite their race, despite their social standing, despite their financial situation, the Youngers are people with pride, and they are not the type to beg on their knees for the aid of someone else, someone who looks down on them. Walter gives this speech while towering over Mr. Linder with his head high, something we did not see in the book. In doing this I believe he truly has changed and developed whereas I did not think as much whilst reading the book, and I have so much more respect for movie Walter than book Walter.