As the youngest member of the Younger family, Travis represents the future. Lena and Walter Sr. wanted a better life for Walter Jr. and Beneatha, but they are still crammed into a too-small apartment, trying to sustain themselves and putting their dreams on hold. Now the whole family wants the same for Travis. That's why Lena and Ruth freak out when Travis is playing with the rats outside in Act 1. Travis is also part...
As the youngest member of the Younger family, Travis represents the future. Lena and Walter Sr. wanted a better life for Walter Jr. and Beneatha, but they are still crammed into a too-small apartment, trying to sustain themselves and putting their dreams on hold. Now the whole family wants the same for Travis. That's why Lena and Ruth freak out when Travis is playing with the rats outside in Act 1. Travis is also part of what drives Walter so aggressively to make his liquor store plan work. When he imagines a future for Travis in Act 2, Scene 2, the audience witnesses how Walter's unflattering traits come from a drive to make life as good as it possibly can be for Travis.
Travis as a symbol becomes particularly prominent again in the final scene. Walter is planning on accepting Mr. Linder's money by agreeing to not move into the white neighborhood. When Lena insists that Travis watch Walter do this, Walter cannot bring himself to stoop so low in front of his son. Though Travis is not much of a round character, his youth and innocence inspires the other characters to improve life for his future.
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