Quote 21
WALTER (Picks up the check)
Do you know what this money means to me? Do you know what this money can do for us? (Puts it back) Mama – Mama – I want so many things… (1.2.220)
Walter feels limited from opportunities because of the family's lack of money. The poverty that he's been trapped in for his entire life is starting to drive him crazy.
Quote 22
WALTER (Quietly)
Sometimes it’s like I can see the future stretched out in front of me – just plain as day. The future, Mama. Hanging over there at the edge of my days. Just waiting for me – a big, looming blank space – full of nothing. Just waiting for me. But it don’t have to be. (1.2.226)
Walter fears that his life will always be a life of nothing. He is overwhelmed by a sense of dread and fears that his suffering will continue on and on forever.
Quote 23
WALTER
Just for a second – stirring them eggs. Just for a second it was – you looked real young again. (He reaches for her; she crosses away. Then, drily) It’s gone now – you look like yourself again! (1.1.20)
Ruth is already crabby when Walter says that she looks prematurely old. Although Walter attempts to compliment his wife, her move away from him suggests that she is disinterested, which leaves Walter unsatisfied. The couple's dissatisfaction with life in general is turning into dissatisfaction with one another.
Quote 24
WALTER (Rising and coming to her and standing over her)
You tired, ain’t you? Tired of everything Me, the boy, the way we live – this beat-up hole – everything. Ain’t you? (She doesn’t look up, doesn’t answer) So tired – moaning and groaning all the time, but you wouldn’t do nothing to help, would you? You couldn’t be on my side that long for nothing, could you? (1.1.73)
Walter acknowledges his wife's unhappiness, but accuses her of not supporting his plan on changing the state of their lives. To him, it seems like Ruth goes around dissatisfied all the time, but she won't help him do anything about it.
Quote 25
WALTER
Nobody in this house is ever going to understand me. (1.1.131)
Walter is frustrated by how singled out he feels in the family, largely due to the obligations he feels as the man of the house. It seems like the main source of Walter's dissatisfaction comes from disappointment in himself.
Quote 26
WALTER
You ain’t looked at it and you don’t aim to have to speak on that again? You ain’t even looked at it and you have decided – (Crumpling his papers) Well, you tell that to my boy tonight when you put him to sleep on the living-room couch…(Turning to MAMA and speaking directly to her) Yeah – and tell it to my wife, Mama, tomorrow when she has to go out of here to look after somebody else’s kids. And tell it to me, Mama, every time we need a new pair of curtains and I have to watch you go out and work in somebody’s kitchen. Yeah, you tell me then! (1.2.191)
Walter is unhappy that his mother won't even give his idea a chance. He is dissatisfied with the amount of hard work the family has to do in order to make ends meet and feels like he ought to be able to make things easier for them.
Quote 27
WALTER
A job. (Looks at her) Mama, a job? I open and close car doors all day long. I drive a man around in his limousine and I say, "yes, sir; no, sir; very good, sir; shall I take the Drive, sir?" Mama, that ain’t no kind of job…that ain’t nothing at all. (Very quietly) Mama, I don’t know if I can make you understand. (1.2.224)
Walter is not only unsatisfied but also embarrassed with his job. He is ashamed to have to suck up to his boss all day. More than anything, Walter wants to be his own boss.
Quote 28
WALTER
What’s the matter with you all! I didn’t make this world! It was give to me this way! Hell, yes, I want me some yachts someday! Yes, I want to hang some real pearls ‘round my wife’s neck. Ain’t she supposed to wear no pearls? Somebody tell me – tell me, who decides which women is suppose to wear pearls in this world. I tell you I am a man – and I think my wife should wear some pearls in this world! (3.1.99)
Walter claims that he is a victim of the world just like his family members are and is incredibly unhappy about the fact that wealth is divided so unfairly. He claims to give in to The Man because he wants more for his family.
Quote 29
WALTER
…See there, that just goes to show you what women understand about the world. Baby, don’t nothing happen for you in this world ‘less you pay somebody off! (1.1.81)
Walter says that money is a man's domain, and that Ruth, being a woman, just wouldn't understand. This sexist remark seems to come from his own lack of self-esteem. Unfortunately, for Walter and those around him, he feels the need to put people down in order to feel more powerful.
Quote 30
WALTER (Straightening up from her and looking off)
That’s it. There you are. Man say to his woman: I got me a dream. His woman say: Eat your eggs. (Sadly, but gaining in power) Man say: I got to take hold of this here world, baby! And a woman will say: Eat your eggs and go to work. (Passionately now) Man say: I got to change my life, I’m choking to death, baby! And his woman say – (In utter anguish as he brings his fists down on his thighs) – Your eggs is getting cold! (1.1.83)
Here, Walter seems to accuse not only Ruth but all women of holding back their men. He implies that women are only interested in domestic things and don't have a head for the big picture.
Quote 31
WALTER
That is just what is wrong with the colored woman in this world…Don’t understand about building their men up and making ‘em feel like they somebody. Like they can do something. (1.1.91)
Walter wants the women in his life to make him feel like a man. Being manly means having the freedom to act according to one's judgment. He's also making blanket statements about black women here.
Quote 32
WALTER
Who the hell told you you had to be a doctor? If you so crazy ‘bout messing ‘round with sick people – then go be a nurse like other women – or just get married and be quiet… (1.1.125)
Walter belittles Beneatha's dream of becoming a doctor, implying that women are fit only for supporting roles. We have a feeling that these amazingly sexist comments will only add fuel to Beneatha's burning desire to be a doctor.
Quote 33
WALTER (All in a drunken, dramatic shout…He makes his weaving way to his wife’s face and leans in close to her)
In my heart of hearts – (He thumps his chest) – I am much warrior! (2.1.15)
Walter clings to the idea that he would be a mighty warrior in Africa; this soothes his masculine ego.
Quote 34
WALTER
Somebody tell me – tell me, who decides which women is suppose to wear pearls in this world. I tell you I am a man – and I think my wife should wear some pearls in this world! (3.1.99)
Walter believes a man should provide luxurious and beautiful things for his wife. Because Walter doesn't have the money to buy expensive things for his family, he feels like less of a man.
Quote 35
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…That’s how come one day when you ‘bout seventeen years old I’ll come home and I’ll be pretty tired, you know what I mean, after a day of conferences and secretaries getting things wrong the way they do…’cause an executive’s life is hell, man – (The more he talks the farther away he gets) (2.2.130)
Walter believes that the liquor store investment is a good idea. He's convinced that his use for the money will have a positive effect on the family, although his ambitions only disillusion him from doubting Willy.
Quote 36
WALTER
Don’t cry, mama. Understand. That white man is going to walk in that door able to write checks for more money than we ever had. It’s important to him and I’m going to help him…I’m going to put on the show, Mama. (3.1.96)
Walter explains to Lena that he is going to play according to a racist person's rules in order to earn the family money. This choice is a real blow to his mother.
Quote 37
WALTER (Coming to her)
I’m going to feel fine, Mama. I’m going to look that son-of-a-b**** in the eyes and say – (He falters) – and say, "All right, Mr. Lindner – (He falters even more) – that’s your neighborhood out there! You got the right to keep it like you want! You got the right to have it like you want! Just write the check and – the house is yours" (His voice almost breaks) "And you – you people just put the money in my hand and you won’t have to live next to this bunch of stinking n*****s!…" (He straightens up and moves away from his mother, walking around the room) And maybe – maybe I’ll just get down on my black knees… (He does so; RUTH and BENNIE and MAMA watch him in frozen horror) "Captain, Mistuh, Bossman – (Groveling and grinning and wringing his hands in profoundly anguished imitation of the slow-witted movie stereotype) A-hee-hee-hee! Oh, yassuh boss! Yasssssuh! Great white – (Voice breaking, he forces himself to go on) – Father, just gi’ ussen de money, fo’ God’s sake, and we’s – we’s ain’t gwine come out deh and dirty up yo’ white folks neighborhood…" (He breaks down completely) And I’ll feel fine! Fine! FINE! (He gets up and goes into the bedroom) (3.1.103)
Walter decides that he's going to play the stereotype that Karl Lindner has labeled him as. He figures selling out and forfeiting his dignity is the only way to earn his father's money back.
Quote 38
WALTER
And we have decided to move into our house because my father – my father – he earned it for us brick by brick (MAMA has her eyes closed and is rocking back and forth as though she were in church, with her head nodding the Amen yes) 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. (He looks the man absolutely in the eyes) We don’t want your money. (He turns and walks away) (3.1.133)
Walter tells Lindner that the Youngers are going to move into the house. Their move is not motivated by issues of race, but of a family's right to create a home. By choosing not to give into Lindner, Walter regains his dignity.
Quote 39
WALTER
I don’t want nothing but for you to stop acting holy ‘round here. Me and Ruth done made some sacrifices for you – why can’t you do something for the family? (1.1.118)
Walter accuses Beneatha of not making enough sacrifices for their family. At the same time, Walter resents Beneatha for the sacrifices he has made.
Quote 40
WALTER
You are in it – Don’t you get up and go work in somebody’s kitchen for the last three years to help put clothes on her back? (1.1.120)
Walter wants to make Beneatha feel bad for benefiting from Ruth's hard work. However, Ruth doesn't seem to begrudge making the sacrifice for her sister-in-law.