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Walter himself serves as both protagoinist and antagonist of the play. In most of times, Walter represents as a symbol of the androcentrism who does mistakes which hurt the whole family greatly. However, in the bottom of his heart, he always wants to solve family's problems. For instance, when Travis asks for fifty cents, Walter gives his son twice money as much as he asks for. He tries to secure his son's desires to be accepted.
Walter struggles to change his family's economic situation. He tries to find a new better way to solve his family's economic situation, but none of his family members have same belief as him. In Act I, Walter responds that "money is life" when Mama asks Walter why he always think about money. He believes that money is all of their problems are about, but he is rarely successful with money. These difficulities and barriers that retard his and his family's progress to fulfill his dream constantly frustrate Walter.
Additionally, the play reveals Walter's conflicts between freedom and money. In Act I, Mama continuously tries to tell his son that freedom of living is more important than money. But Walter believes that money is the only thing that could give people more comfortable and carefree lives. Money also seems to define the value of a man in his family. To Walter, money is the real freedom which could free him from his cruel job and life.
These frustrations certainly create the inner conflicts of Walter as the pillar of the family.