A Hard working Woman

According to Frank J. Burno in Dictionary of Keywords in Psychology the definition of motive is hypothetical state in an organism used to explain its choices and goal-oriented behavior 1986: 140. Furthermore, in Psychology and Life the definition of motivation is the process of starting, directing and maintaining physical and psychological activities toward a certain goal Gerring and Zimbardo, 2002: 364. Motive makes human beings keep their effort in achieving their goal and motivation supports them in the process of achieving their goal. Therefore, motive and motivation always influence someone’s action or behavior to pursue their goal. Grown up as an uneducated man Hansberry, 1994: 24-25, Walter realized that it is hard for him to have a better job especially when there is a limitation for colored people in having jobs in Chicago, the Southern of America. In order to fulfill his family needs Walter must have a job. Walter knows that as an uneducated colored man, he has limited choice of jobs and one of the jobs which is available for him is a chauffeur. The story centers on Walter’s American Dream to stop being a chauffeur and start being an entrepreneur. In his middle thirties, Walter is tired of being poor. Walter who works as a chauffeur always deals with the rich people, especially whites, “… 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…” Hansberry, 1994: 34. He sees white people living style almost every day and because of that, he started to have in his mind that living as a rich man is nice. Just like Worchel and Shelbilske theory of 51 social motives, Walter’s motive comes from learning and social interaction 1989: 374. During his interaction with the whites, Walter’s dream of a better life grows bigger and stronger. He learns and knows that to have a better life he must be rich, and because of that, he needs money. He knows exactly how money plays an important role in realizing his dream of a better life. From this part, he starts to become a money oriented person. He focuses everything to money. Walter believes that money is equal with life because money itself is life Hansberry, 1994:74. Walter knows that in order to get rich he must earn money as much as he can. He learned how to earn much money from Charlie Atkins’ experiences in making money. Walter : Anybody who talks to me has got to be a good-for-nothing loudmouth, ain’t he? And what you know about who is just a good-for-nothing loudmouth? Charlie Atkins was just a “good- for-nothing loudmouth” too, wasn’t he When he wanted me to go in the dry-cleaning business with him. And now he’s grossing a hundred thousand a year. A hundred thousand dollars a year You still call him a loudmouth Hansberry, 1994: 32. Charlie Atkins earned it by investing money in the dry-cleaning business which he wanted Walter to join in. It can be seen that Atkins’ success in business has also motivated Walter to start his own business. It is related with Edwards’ social motives 1969: 71 which states that motive requires the presence or participation of another individual for their expression or instigation. His motive of prosperity and the influence of Atkins’ success have leaded him into a motivation to open a liquor store. Walter : … I mean we figured it out, me and Willy and Bobo. Ruth : With a frown Bobo? 52