Characterization Station

The characterization of each character in A Raisin in the Sun is meticulously planned. With Beneatha, the reader originally sees her as an adolescent looking to ruffle a few feathers, but it becomes clear through her character development that she is a young woman looking for her identity. At first, she believes she is meant to be a doctor, but her blossoming relationship with the mysterious man from Africa leads to her reconsidering this path. She comes to realize that she wants to go to Africa with him and make changes for her paople. While it is unclear as to whether or not this plan comes to fruition, it represents another step at which she is yet to find her true identity. With Walter, character development is everything. The reader initially thinks he is an angry middle-aged man with little to show for his life. He, like Beneatha, is really just searching, but he is searching for validation. He thinks that, by becoming a businessman, he will earn respect and change the fate of his people. At the end when he stands up to Mr. Lindler, the family believes that he has become a man. WhileI am unsure as to whether or not I agree with this, I certainly hope he has as he has a 10 year old son.