Lindner Part 2(9)

WALTER (at last crosses to LINDNER, who is reviewing the contract: Well, Mr. Lindner. (BENEATHA turns away.) We called you- (There is a profound, simple groping quality in his speech.)- because, well, me and my family (He looks around and shifts from one foot to the other.) Well, we are very plain people…

LINDNER: Yes-

WALTER (really like a small boy, looking down at his shoes and then up at the man): And-uh-well, my father, well, he was a laborer most of his life…

LINDNER (absolutely confused): Uh, yes- yes, I understand. (He turns back to the contract.)

WALTER (a beat, staring at him): And my father- (with sudden intensity) My father almost beat a man to death once because this man called him a bad name or something, you know what I mean?

LINDNER (looking up, frozen): No, no, I’m afraid I don’t-

WALTER: What I am telling you is that we called you over here to tell you that we are very proud and that this- (signaling to TRAVIS) Travis, come here. (TRAVIS crosses and WALTER draws him before him facing the man.) This is my son, and he makes the sixth generation our family in this country. And we have all thought about your offer-

LINDNER: Well, good… good-

WALTER: And we have decided to move into our house because my father- my father- he earned it for us brick by brick. (MAMA has her eyes closes and is rocking back and forth as though she were in church, with her head nodding the Amen yes.) We don’t want to make no 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. (He looks the man absolutely in the eyes.) We don’t want your money. (He turns and walks away.)

In this climactic exchange to Lindner, Walter shows that his dreams have changed. Before, Walter cared about money, and only about money. He wanted to make a quick buck by investing in a liquor store. Then he was devastated by the loss of his investment. Now, he rejects an offer for money. Here, Walter shows that his family is more important to him. He talks about how much his father sacrificed for them, while Walter himself is sacrificing his dreams for his son, Travis. Walter’s dream has changed here at the end of the play, and he takes charge of his own life for the most important thing in his life, his family.