Walter's relationship with Ruth in A Raisin in the Sun is generally an unhappy one. To a large extent, this is because they're on a different wavelength when it comes to what's important in life. Whereas Ruth tends to take life as it comes, Walter is much more ambitious, keen to make it as a successful businessman.

Siblings Walter and Beneatha Younger are similar in that they are both African American, are both living with their mother, and show ambition and concern for others. They differ in terms of their age, gender, and marital status, as well as employment and education. Another important contrast is their attitude toward their mother’s use of her late husband’s insurance money.

In A Raisin in the Sun, Walter's quotes about the liquor store highlight his dreams and desperation to escape poverty through business. He sees the store as a means to provide for his family and gain financial independence, using his mother's insurance money as seed capital. Despite his enthusiasm and detailed plans, the family is skeptical and his scheme eventually fails when his partner absconds with the investment, leaving Walter to face the harsh realities of his ambitions and responsibilities.

In A Raisin in the Sun, Mama changes her mind and gives Walter the insurance money because she feels guilty that she is oppressing him the way the rest of the world has. I believe this is not the right decision, because Walter is too much of an unrealistic dreamer to be handed a large sum of money without a concrete plan in place.

The relationships between the characters are tense, although ultimately it is clear that they love one another. Walter and Ruth’s relationship is marred by their poverty and Walter’s disappointments, which also overshadows his relationships with Mama and Beneathea. Ruth sides with Mama, recognizing the benefits a house would yield. Beneatha’s desire to use the money herself and her disdain for their assimilation creates further tension. Travis is young and often lives in his own world.

Walter's thoughts on George Murchison reveal his envy, pettiness, and feelings of inferiority. Despite Walter's initial friendly attempt, he quickly becomes dismissive and critical of George's education and sophistication. Walter's disdain for George's attire and intellectual pursuits highlights his own insecurities and desire for capital gain. Ultimately, the exchange underscores the disconnect between poor and middle-class black Americans.

After Walter rejects Lindner's offer, Walter loses his dream of opening a liquor store but gains pride and respect. Beneatha loses her medical school funds but gains a deeper sense of identity and family pride. Lena loses her sense of financial security but gains pride in her family's unity and growth. Ruth loses her dream of leisure but gains faith in her husband and hope for their future.

Walter accepts Beneatha's dream of becoming a doctor towards the end of A Raisin in the Sun during his meeting with Mr. Linder. Initially discouraging Beneatha, Walter undergoes a change of heart after losing his own dream. He learns the importance of family and integrity from his mother, Lena, and ultimately shows support by proudly declaring Beneatha's ambition to Mr. Linder, reflecting his acceptance and newfound empathy.

Walter's conflict with fate is evident in several quotes. In Act I, he expresses frustration with his family's lack of support, saying, "We one group of men tied to a race of women with small minds" (Hansberry 35). He also laments his bleak future, "Sometimes it's like I can see the future stretched out in front of me... a big, looming blank space - full of nothing" (73). His struggle against societal constraints and his ultimate refusal to succumb to them highlight his inner turmoil.

Walter's comment reflects his frustration and anger during a heated argument with his sister, Beneatha, about using their mother's insurance money. Walter dreams of investing in a business to achieve financial success, but his family does not support this idea. His remark, "the world's most backward race of people," is likely an expression of his exasperation rather than a genuine belief, highlighting his emotional turmoil and sense of being unsupported by his family.

Walter gives his son Travis excess money for school to assert his manhood and change his perceived position in his son's eyes. Feeling trapped in a low-paying chauffeur job, Walter is desperate to demonstrate pride and dignity. By giving extra money, he attempts to assert his sense of worth and provide a semblance of empowerment, even if it means acting recklessly to change his situation.

Mrs. Younger's decision to give Walter money for the liquor store in "A Raisin in the Sun" is complex and depends on her motives. She hopes to boost Walter's self-esteem and enable him to become the family's breadwinner, despite his past failures. Her faith in Walter is rooted in love and a desire to see him succeed. While the business venture ultimately fails, her decision reflects a belief in supporting her son's dreams.

Big Walter is characterized as a dedicated family man whose primary goal was to care for his family. Despite his flaws, like "running around," Mama Younger remembers him as a protective figure who maintained structure and control at home. His hard work and sacrifice are underscored by his life insurance, which offers the family a new start. Big Walter's presence looms large even in death, contrasting with his son Walter's initial lack of similar traits.

Ruth and Walter use the term "colored" because it was the common and acceptable term for Black people in 1957, when the play was written. This reflects the period's linguistic norms, as "colored" and "Negro" were widely used terms before "Black" became popular. The characters use these terms casually, indicating their acceptability at the time. Terminology often evolves as marginalized groups seek to redefine themselves positively.