True West Family Quotes

On the surface, this quote looks like very little, but it starts the first conversation about Austin and Lee's father, a subject that will come to dominate a substantial portion of their conversation. The father, while not in the play, looms over both brothers, and you have to wonder that if there is something in both of them that still desperately wants to impress the old man who clearly wants to make no effort to be a part of their lives.

This quote is interesting on two levels. On one level, it demonstrates that Lee has very little regard for the life Austin has chosen. He doesn't inquire about the family at all, and he doesn't seem to have any real concern about them. On another level, it shows that Lee has (or at least he wants it to appear to Austin that he has) given very little thought to Austin's life over the last several years. It's as if he's surprised to remember that Austin has a wife and kids.

Here, Austin talks about the collectibles that their mom hangs onto. This has a little to do with memory and the past (another major theme in the play), but it says something about their family. Their mother cherishes things that were a part of her family even if they have no literal value. As bizarre as this family is, they still share traits with most of us.