Evolution of Walter

I think that the character who changes the most over the course of A Raisin in the Sun in Walter.  Although his fundamental values stay constant over the course of the story, Lorraine Hansberry shows his attitudes and opinions changing drastically.  At the beginning of the story, he argues with everyone in his family, but still works hard to earn the money he vales so highly.  He begins to engage in heavy drinking, trying to escape the stress at home and realize how to fulfill his dreams.  Later it is revealed that he has been skipping work.  Eventually he begins to treat Ruth more kindly, even though he is still drunk and pursuing his dream of buying the liquor store.  When he loses his money to Willy, he in turn loses all hope and pride, deciding that the family must beg MR. Lindner to purchase their house.  Finally, at the climax of the play, Walter overcomes his need for money and chooses to move into the house.  He says "And we have decided to move into our house because my father-my father-he earned it for us brick by brick(p 532).  "In the end, he has an attitude very different than that which he had at the beginning of the play.