While reading A Raisin in the Sun, one learns much about the values of the characters in the story, especially of Mama and Walter. Through the dialogue and actions of the two characters, we learn that the value systems of Mama and Walter are extremely different, and even sometimes contradictory. Mama"s greatest value is family, while Walter"s values evolve only around fame, power, and wealth. As a result of their radically different value systems, Mama and Walter"s motivations, actions, and relationships are different and sometimes even conflicting.

             The conflicting value systems of Mama and Walter cause them to have conflicting motivations. Since Mama"s values center around her family, she is motivated by the desire to make her family be happier. Walter values power, fame, and wealth, therefore, he is highly motivated by money. Mama, who has no value for money, is not motivated by money, and Walter, who has little interest in family, is not concerned about making his family happier. These contrasting motivations are seen when comparing the two characters" reactions to the coming of Mama"s ten thousand dollar insurance check. To Mama, it was "just a check" (pg. 211), but to Walter it was much more. He viewed the check as an investment that would result in riches such as "a plain black Chrysler.a Cadillac convertible" (pg. 232), and his own gardener. These contrasting motivations demonstrate Mama"s and Walter"s values; Mama saw the check as money and nothing more, while Walter saw it as wonderful riches and power.

             Walter"s and Mama"s reactions to another incident, the loss of sixty percent of the money to a thief, is a second example of the two character"s different motivations caused by their different values. Walter"s reaction of tears and hysteria to the loss of money are emotions caused by the loss of his hope for fame, riches, and power. Mama, on the other hand, expressed anger and sadness at the loss of the money because it represented the "working and working and working (of her husband) like somebody"s old horse" (pg.