Throughout Breaking Bad, Walter’s cancer has been a point of contention for himself and his family. Yet, when he finds out it’s in remission, he becomes enraged. Why was Walter mad when his cancer got better?
Walter was mad when his cancer got better because he enjoyed the freedom. The cancer gave him an excuse to live a thrilling, independent life as a criminal. His cancer’s remission means he must go back to monotony while having to live with the acts he’s committed since the diagnosis.
In this article, we will examine some possible reasons for Walter’s reaction and its significance for the plot and characters.
Why Walter’s cancer remission made him mad
First, it’s worth noting that Walter’s reaction to his remission is actually consistent with his character’s traits.
Walter is a proud, ambitious, and driven person, who has been frustrated and resentful of his life and career before his cancer diagnosis. He sees the cancer as a chance to break free from his boring life. Walter is unfulfilled, and the cancer gives him a valid excuse to pursue his criminals activities, all while being justified.
His cancer is to some degree a way to bond with his former student and partner in crime, Jesse Pinkman. Jesse has also struggled with his own demons and identity.
Secondly, Walter’s reaction to his cancer remission is influenced by his sense of identity and purpose. As a cancer patient and a criminal mastermind, Walter has developed a unique and complex persona that combines vulnerability and strength, empathy and cruelty, desperation and confidence. He has come to define himself by his illness and his criminal enterprise. Walt sees them as interconnected and essential to his sense of worth and dignity.
Walter’s struggles
Once he learns his cancer is no longer a threat, he feels like he’s lost a sense of purpose. He can’t use it as an excuse any longer for his actions. Now, he has to confront the reality of every horrible thing he’s done.
Up until that point, Walter has been struggling to balance his cancer treatments with his drug manufacturing and distribution. Also, balancing his family obligations and his conscience. He has been reluctant to embrace his criminal persona fully, and has been seeking ways to legitimize his earnings and protect his loved ones. However, when he punches the hand dryer in the men’s bathroom, he reveals his true colors and his true intentions. He is not relieved or grateful that his cancer is in remission, but angry and frustrated that his plan has been disrupted. Walter realizes that he’s addicted to the thrill of his criminal activities, and it helps fill his need to have control and assert dominance.
In conclusion, the question of why Walter was mad when his cancer got better in Breaking Bad is a complex and significant issue that reflects the depth and complexity of the character’s psyche and narrative arc. Whether we sympathize or condemn Walter for his actions, his behavior has far-reaching consequences that shape the course of the series and the fate of its characters.
So that’s the answer. Walter was mad when his cancer got better because he enjoyed the freedom.