A Raisin in the Sun (Blog 4)
By: Lorraine Hansberry

I think that Walter Younger is struggling with a major internal conflict in this play.  His family is struggling and does not have much money.  Walter dreams of a life full of money to get everything he has ever wanted out of life.  Unfortunately, he is so hung up on the idea of money, that he experiences many frustrations.  He takes these frustrations out on his family.  He is constantly annoyed and picks fights with people frequently.  "'Ain't you had it yet?  Don't you see no stars gleaming that you can't reach out and grab?  You happy? ...Man I'm a volcano'" (484).  Walter says this to Ruth in the midst of an argument.  This serves as a perfect example of how frustrated Walter is with his life and its lack of happiness.  I think that his internal conflict is centered around the idea of achieving a better life for his family.  I think that Walter feels pressure to provide his family with a better life since his father is no longer around.  Walter feels obligated to make his family happier, and this ultimately makes him unhappy.  He is not proud of his job as a chauffeur, and he dreams of opening a liquor store.  He realizes that he needs $10,000 to do this, but he cannot get this quantity of money all on his own.  I think that Walter also internally struggles with the fact that he cannot achieve this dream for himself without the help of others.  In the end, though, the Younger's head towards a better, more promising future.  This signals that Walter has overcome his internal conflict.