Walter vs. Bennie

In A Raisin in the Sun by Lorraine Hansberry, Mama's two children are portrayed as opposites of each other.  They could even be considered different enough to be foil characters for each other.  This contrast is set up beginning in scene one of act 1 when Beneatha enters the kitchen and immediately begins to argue with Walter.  There are many great differences between the two.  Beneatha values knowledge, sophistication, and culture, while Walter values money above all else.  This difference is emphasized by Bennie's love of Agasai, despite Walter's approval of the wealthy George Murchison.  She could not stand to marry the shallow Murchison, but she loved Agasai's wisdom and African culture.  Another difference between the two is their careers.  Bennie is studying to become a doctor while Walter is a limo driver who wants to purchase a liquor store.  In terms of their philosophies, Bennie is more of an idealist.  She believes she can become a successful doctor, looks for different ways to express herself, and wants to make a difference in the world.  On the other hand, Walter confesses that he believes life is ruled by people who take from others and that money is the ultimate measure of success.  While he seems, to retract this belief eventually, it does not change the fact that he stubbornly spends his time trying to find ways to reach the top of society.  An example of this is on page 534: "Walter: Girl, if you don't get all them silly ideas out of your head!  You better marry yourself a man with some loot..."  The two characters always contrast each other, even after the story's climax.