WAEC Literature in English 2018 Theory — Question 13

Model answer

Walter Lee Younger is the eldest and the only son of Mrs. Lena Younger by her deceased husband, Big Walter. After the death of his father, Walter Lee Younger is due to assume the roles and responsibilities of a father, being the eldest and the only son in the family. Walter Lee Younger is the father of Travis and the husband of Ruth. Walter Lee Younger lacks those qualities that qualify him as a mature man until the tail end of the play when he evidently attains his maturity. Walter Lee Younger's efforts to act as a mature man and as a father fail several times in the play. This failure is due to several reasons ranging from emotional immaturity, financial challenges, level of education to low self esteem. All these are products of racial oppression suffered by Walter and the entire blacks in the play. Walter's immaturity does not place him in the best position to act as the head of the family. For this reason, Mama (Lena Younger) still acts as the matriarch and the family head pending the time when Walter will become a fully mature man. Walter's faltering nature and inability to take the right decision attests to the fact that he has not attained his manhood. He tries to act like a father and gives his son carfare to Travis, knowing that he does not have the financial capacity to do so. Walter acts irresponsibly when the issue of Ruth's pregnancy comes up. Mama castigates him for such cowardly act. Walter's inability to reason and desperation to own a liquor store makes him a victim of dupe by Willy Harris. Walter takes a rash decision by committing a whopping sum of 6,500 dollar into Willy Harris' hands. By the time Willy Harris refuses to show up and runs away with the money, it becomes glaring that not only the destiny of Walter is at stake, but that of Beneatha and the entire family. Mama not only castigates him for this, she also beats him. This stupid act of his puts the whole family in emotional trauma. Walter's immaturity also comes into play when he engages George Murchison in an argument. Ruth tries to come in between, having sensed that intoxicated Walter will say nothing reasonable but gibberish. The two (Walter Lee Younger and George Murchison) engage in verbal assaults. George, in a reply, says: 'You are whacked up with bitterness, man.' George takes his leave with a statement: 'Thanks, good night. Good night, Prometheus.' Walter who does not know what this means thinks it is an insult. Walter's transformation 'into his manhood' takes gradual steps. Having lost money to Willy Harris and having considered Karl Lindner's offer of selling their newly bought apartment in Clybourne Park, Walter invites Karl Lindner for a talk against the decision and wish of the family. As Karl Lindner arrives for the signing of contracts, the situation takes a sharp turn. Walter comes to the realization of the fact that it will be unwise to disappoint the family once again. Having stammered and faltered for a while, Walter regains his confidence and tells Lindner point blank that he is no longer interested in the deal and the family is ready to occupy the house in Clybourne Park. Karl Lindner takes his leave after this humiliation. At this point, it could be said that Walter has transformed 'into his manhood' having displayed courage and maturity. Mama attests to this: 'He finally came into his manhood today, didn't he kind of like rainbow after the rain...' It is evident that Mama helps Walter to attain this transformation, having talked sense to his head.