Final answer:
Walter's decision to prioritize his father's values over financial success shows a deep respect for integrity and legacy. The choice aligns with historical and literary precedents where moral values are often weighed against the pursuit of wealth.
Step-by-step explanation:
Walter's choice at the end of the act shows that B. Walter prioritizes his father's values over financial success. This decision reflects his understanding of poverty and his father's legacy in a complex way. While Walter initially seems to pursue wealth at any cost, exemplified by the temptation to accept a dishonest business proposition, his ultimate rejection of this path signals a deeper respect for his father's principles and legacy. In rejecting the route to immediate wealth, Walter demonstrates a nuanced view that recognizes the importance of moral integrity and the value placed on familial legacy over the mere accumulation of riches.
Passages reflecting on individuals striving for more glittering things often entangle their desires with moral contemplation. For example, characters in literature frequently grapple with the tension between wealth and integrity, as seen in historical texts where individuals consider the far-reaching impacts of their actions on the fabric of society.
William Wordsworth's poem 'The Last of the Flock' provides additional context, as it portrays a man grappling with poverty yet also holding onto the right to own property, suggesting that dignity and moral values can transcend economic status. This further supports the interpretation that Walter's decision is one rooted in upholding cherished values rather than succumbing to the lure of pecuniary gain.