Loneliness

A Raisin in the Sun
Lorraine Hansberry

In this play, Walter experienced loneliness even though he was surrounded by his family. Near the beginning of the play, Walter attempted to explain to his wife his desire to enter the liquor business with Willy Harris. Because she did not want Walter to associate himself with Willy Harris and the liquor business, she ignored Walter and told him to eat his breakfast and go to work. Walter received similar disapproval from Beneatha and Mama. Both discouraged him from pursuing the liquor business. Beneatha wanted more money for school and Mama wanted to uphold family standards. Frustrated about being alone in his desire, Walter felt that none of his family listened to or understood him. "WILL SOMEBODY PLEASE LISTEN TO ME TODAY!"(Hansberry, 70). This constant feeling of being misunderstood and without voice contributed to Walter's sense of loneliness. Talking and not being heard can make a person feel invisible. In addition, being ignored isolated Walter from his family. Even though his family filled the small apartment, Walter felt loneliness because he felt isolated from them due to a lack of true communication.