Bad Dreams in A Raisin in the Sun The issue of racism is one of the most significant themes in A Raisin in the Sun by Lorraine Hansberry. Many Black men face inherent racism. The frustrations they face don't just affect them, they also affect their families. When Walter Lee has a bad day he can't scold his boss for fear of losing his job. Instead he takes it out on his family. , mainly his wife Ruth. Walter is thirty-five years old and drives a limousine for a living. This job provides just enough for his family with no extra money left over to spend. It's so bad that when Travis asked his mother Ruth for fifty cents she said she couldn't give it to him because they couldn't afford it. Walter hears this and gets a little angry at Ruth and gives Travis a dollar instead. Walter tells Ruth that she shouldn't tell Travis that they can't give him fifty cents because they don't have it. I think Walter is upset because he realizes that he can't provide his son with change without going broke himself. What kind of man would he be? What kind of role model would Travis be if he couldn't bring home enough money to support his family? How could he be a strong black man for his family? It is obvious that Walter is unable to provide his family with what is considered the "American Dream." Walter complains to his mother about what she thinks of his job. I open and close my car doors all day. I take a man around in his limousine and say, "Yes, sir, no sir, very good, sir, can I take the tour, sir?" Walter wants to be the one sitting in the back of the limo while someone else drives. Walter wants financial freedom, he doesn't just want enough money to provide for his family but rather tells his mother "I want a lot of things." Walter is materialistic and greedy, he has been corrupted by a superficial "American dream". Walter has no desire to discover himself through his African-American heritage. He believes he can define himself through money, money is everything to this man. Money is status, money is wealth, money is happiness, money is almost God to him.