Is Walter Lee Younger a Dynamic Character?

1. Is Walter Lee Younger a Dynamic Character? By: Nicolas Jacobsohn Katz 2RW

2. Yes • In the beginning of the book, Walter is someone who goes and gets drunk and is mean to his family. But at then end of the book, Walter changes to a nice person who cares about his family, and doesn’t get drunk all the time. (pg. 113) • “(Walter enters with a large package. His happiness is deep in him; he cannot keep still with his newfound exuberance. He is singing and wiggling and snapping his fingers…)”

3. Yes • In the beginning of the book, Walter is obsessive over money saying “money is life” (pg. 74), and in the end, he lets Lindner keep his money. (pg. 128) • “We don’t want to make 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. We don’t want your money.

4. Yes • In the beginning, Walter tells Benetha, “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. (pg.38), but at the end, he wants her to be a doctor saying. • “Yeah. Well-what I mean is that we come from people who had a lot of pride. I mean-we are very proud people. And that’s my sister over there and she’s going to be a doctor-and we are very proud.” (pg. 148)

5. No • As the story progresses, Walter still thinks the same way about owning a liquor store in the end as he does in the beginning. • “…So you butchered up a dream of mine-you-who always talking ‘bout your children’s dreams…” (Pg. 95) • “Mama…I never… went to the bank at all…” (Pg.129)

6. No • Through out the entire book, Walter is passionate about getting his point across. • “WILL SOMEONE PLEASE LISTEN TO ME TODAY!” (Pg. 70) • “What’s the matter with you all! I didn’t make this world! It was give to me this way! Hell, yes, I want some yachts somebody! Yes, I want to hag 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! (Pg. 143)

7. Thesis Statement • Walter Lee Younger is a dynamic character because his changes are much bigger than the ways he stays the same, he realizes there are more important things than money, and becomes a much nicer person.

8. Topic Sentences • Topic Sentence 1: Walter Lee Younger is a dynamic character because he changes much more than he doesn’t. • Topic Sentence 2: Walter Lee Younger is a dynamic character because he realizes there are more important things than money. • Topic Sentence 3: Walter Lee Younger is a dynamic character because he becomes a much nicer person.

9. Story Plot DiagramHorizontal Plot Points • Walter and Ruth get in an argument. • Walter finds out Ruth is pregnant. • Walter get drunk because of Ruth’s pregnancy. • Walter gets really excited for Mama to get the check. • Mama gets the check worth $10,000. • Mama uses it to buy a house in a white neighborhood. • Walter’s liquor store money gets stolen.

10. Story Plot DiagramHorizontal Plot Points • Linder offers them more money than what they payed for for the house. • Walter kicks Linder out. But later invites him back for negotiation purposes. • Walter turns down Linder’s offer. • They move into their house.

11. Literary Devices • Symbolism: Mama’s Plant. • Motif: The Apartment. • Simile: The rat is as big as a cat.