Maslow

[laf...@aol.com]

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[matt riina]

In the novel A Raisin in the Sun by Lorraine Hansberry, Walter falls
into the top level of Self Actualization on Maslow’s Hierarchy. Walter
is the father of the household and wants the respect from the family
that such a title should command but he is constantly being
overridden. He wants o show his true potential as a father and a
leader. He says, “Do you know what this money can do for us? Mama-Mama
I want so many things…I want so many things that they are driving me
crazy,” (73). He is criticized by his mother for wanting money to
support their family and get them out of the slums by investing in the
liquor store and he wants to prove that he has the potential to
succeed and truly provide a comfortable life for his family.. Because
he is the father and at that time period the father was the leader of
the house, he believes that his decisions should always be respected.
But everything he says is shot down. Mama criticizes him about wanting
money and about investing in the liquor store and he feels that this
is inhibiting him from showing his full potential to his family. He
desires to show his potential and what he is meant to do in life to
support those he cares about. That is why Walter Younger is on the
Self Actualization level of Maslow’s Hierarchy.

On Mar 31, 9:03 am, laft...@aol.com wrote:
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[Lauren]

According to Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs I believe the Youngers are
stationed in the esteem needs level. For example, they have already
established love and belonging needs; security and safety needs; and
basic needs. Although the Younger family argues, you can tell by body
language and actions that they love each other. For example, "she
finally laughs aloud at him and we see that it is a way between them,
very old and practiced". This shows the bond between Ruth and her son.
I think as an individual, Walter exists on the esteem needs level as
well. Walter Lee wants to feel important and worthwhile which is why
he wants to open a liquor store. Walter feels like his life is
meaningless and becomes self conscious. For example, "I was lookin' in
the mirror and thinking about it... I'm thirty-five years old; I been
married eleven years and I got a boy who sleeps in the living room".
Beneatha gets stuck in the belongingness and love needs because she
struggles to find a companion. Ruth is stuck on the esteem level
because she constantly puts other people down to make herself feel
better.