Scapegoat

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[Jake Taccone]

Walter Lee Younger a man who is very unhappy in his bleak
surroundings. He has financial difficulties and is very frustrated in
the fact that he can not support his family. He expresses this
frustration when he states, “I’m thirty-five years old; I been married
eleven years and I got a boy who sleeps in the living room… and all I
got to give him is stories about how rich white people live…” (34) It
is clear that he wishes that they had better living arrangements, and
in the same breath, he comments about how only rich white people can
live. His tone reflects a sense of envy, as if he believes he should
be the rich white man. In essence, he is blaming society and
expressing the thought that the black man doesn’t have the same
opportunities as the white man. He doesn’t feel equal because his
race. Because of his frustration, he blames other people for his
problems. He even blames his wife Ruth, for not being supportive.
“That is just what is wrong with the colored women in this world…
Don’t understand about building their men up and making ‘em feel like
they somebody. Like they can do something.” (34) Walter’s scapegoat is
society’s view on colored men. He does not blame himself, but rather
everyone around him.

[Sam Choi]

i think that society is responsible for enclosing Walter into a cage
where he cant escape and fulfill his dream of owning a liquor store if
society had given him a better environment he could strive to reach
his goal but his poor environment and his low income prevent him from
reaching it "I got a boy who sleeps in the living room and all I got
to give him is stories about how rich white people live” (34) and he
thinks the only way to free himself is with the check that Mama
receives. he blames mama who wont believe in him enough to to give her
her check and give him the one chance he has been looking for. he
blames society himself and his mama as an excuse on why he doesn't get
start the business

[Chris LoBosco]

I Agree with both Jake and Sam. I feel Jake's point that Walter
blame's all of his problems on others is accurate. However, I believe
he has a right to think this. Similar to what Sam says, Walter is
plagued by unfortunate circumstances, and it is society that prevents
him from reaching his goals. He is an African American, in a time when
they were seen as unequal. He lives in a time and place that make it
impossible for him to excel. So I agree with Sam and Jake that he
blames society, and everyone around him for his problems, but this is
only because they are main contributing factors to his poverty. For
instance, had Walter lived in a more modern time, where race does not
matter, his willingness and determination for success would most
likely allow him to do well.

[Christina An]

I agree with Jake.
Walter is enclosed in a brutal society where opportunities are limited
due to the different races and colors of skin.
Although he is a citizen, he can not exercise his rights, due to the
people that block him from them.
Walter is jealous of the way the whites live and how they take it for
granted.
Walter is so ready to leave his world of envy and 'lower class'
status, that he is completely positive that his plan
of buying a liquor store will buy him out of his pitiful life.
Walter turns to his family to support him, as they live in the same
conditions as him and feels aggravated when no one cares to hear him
and understands his anger.
His frustration creates Walter to blame society and others around him.
Walter will not accept his 'fate' of being inferior to others and
encourages his son, Travis, to spend money and live happily and large
as he wants his son to get used to the life that he will provide him,
after the purchase of the liquor store.

[Lauren]

I agree with Jake that Walter's dream is deferred as a result of
society and the people around him. In the 1950's, black people felt
inferior to white people because of segregation. On page 34 Walter
says, "all I got to give him is stories about how rich while people
live." During this time period it was difficult for black people to be
successful in life. Walter's dream is deferred because society made it
hard for him to achieve his goal. Also, Walter's dream of opening a
liquor store is deferred by his mother. Walter feels as though no one
in his life supports him because his mother would not supply him with
the money to open a liquor store. Clearly, Walters dream is deferred
as a result of society and the people around him.