During the play “A Raisin in the Sun,” the main character Walter Lee lost his mind when Lena received the check from the insurance company. He worked as a driver for a wealthy white family, and desperately wanted the money from the insurance company to make a success and prove himself that he can make both him and his family members a better life with this money. Also in the other play, Tom was not happy about his job in a factory and wanted a better life. According to Tom from the play “What do you think I’m at? Aren’t I supposed to have any patience to reach the end of, Mother? I know, I know. It seems unimportant to you, what I’m doing- what I want to do- having difference between them! You don’t think that.” (The Glass Menagerie Pg.759) He loves novel, and his friend in the shoe factory calls him Shakespeare. Tom believes himself can do better if he can become an author. Both of the character were dreaming about the future when they were not satisfied with their situation currently. They both has dreams, and believes they need to catch the opportunity to change their life. But both of the family specially their mother was against with their unrealistic dreams.
Walter Lee and Tom were restricted by their family, they both believe they are capable to have more in their life, but neither of their family agreed with them. Their family members believe stay in their position and just work harder would be the best for them. Their dream was considered as unrealistic, and is better for them to spend every minute either working or with the family instead of dream about what they can become. According to Lena “Well- Well- Son, I’m waiting to hear you say something…. I’m waiting to hear how you be your father’s son. Be the man he was…” (A Raisin in the Sun Pg.523) Lena wanted his child to take responsibility for this family because he is the only male in this apartment, but she was upset about Walter Lee talk about money all day long. Both of the families are in a lower class of society and they are very plain people, and everyone in these two families was the most important treasure for both Walter Lee and Tom Wingfield, but Walter Lee and Tom wants more than a plain life, they believe they are smart and deserve a better life. I agree that the two character could have a better life and provide their family more if they can find an opportunity, but most important should be this family. Both of them hurt the feeling of their family members when their brains were covered by money and fame. They did not take their responsibility as the only male member in the family,
The biggest difference between Walter Lee and Tom is Walter Lee understood the importance of being responsible to his family but Tom did not. Walter Lee knows family should be more important than anything and they should be proud even they do not have much money. According to Walter Lee “Yeah. Well-what I mean is that we come from people who had a lot of pride. I mean- We are very proud people.” He felt proud about his family loves each other, and money cannot compare to this love. But Tom left his family alone and tried to pursuit his dream. Even though the play didn’t tell us rather he succeeds or not, but he lost the close relationship between his family members, which is his most important treasure.
Both of the play take place of the lower class American family, but two main character made the different decision at the end of the storyline. It’s clear they suffered a lot during their time of life, and both of them was the only male member of the family, they supposed to be the heart of the family. Walter Lee became a man and took the responsibility but Tom didn’t.
Work Cited
Hansberry, Lorraine. A Raisin in the Sun. New York: Dodd, 1971. 221-76. Print.
Williams, Tennessee. The Glass Menagerie. New York: New Directions Books: 1999.
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