Walter Younger's impact on his family

Walter made many mistakes and bad decisions that had a negative impact on him and his family. He never deliberately tried to harm anyone in his family, but his selfishness got in the way and he ended up doing things he regretted later. For instance, when Walter is telling Mama what happened to the money he says, "Mama...I never...went to the bank" (129). Walter was supposed to put the money straight in the bank but instead he mistrusted it with a friend. He made a decision to not be as cautious as he could be with the money, and that resulted in the entire family losing everything. In addition, when Travis notices that Walter is in a good mood he says, "What's the matter Daddy? You drunk?" (107). Travis is so used to seeing his dad upset and stressed about money, that when he sees him in a good mood he automatically assumes that he is drunk. Walter's decisions to act the way he does and to do the things he does causes his family to feel like they have to tip-toe around him to make sure they don't get on his bad side. Walter never thought that anything he could do would negatively impact his family, but in the end he is the head of the house and every decision he makes leads back to his family somehow.

Nightmares by Water Younger

Often times I am quite mean

Stressing so much over money

Which to some is actually funny

My strong love for my family is not always seen

 

My dreams are very out of reach

Like a pig learning to fly

My hopes are very slim and dry

I feel as though my happiness is being sucked out of me like a leach

 

I really want to support my family

Except I have no support or encouragement

And now my wife is pregnant

Owning a liquor store seems like the best option for me

 

Although the thought of having dreams may give one ambition

You need to face the obvious truth

That not all dreams come true, and I'm proof

The overall outcome may put you in a bad position

 

I believe that if you want something you need to be persistent

One can't give up because he thinks he has no hope

Even though it's easy to just sit around and mope

If one doesn't try his dream will become very distant