nder that these two men have an unresolved internal conflict. Both brothers realize that they each come from two different walks of life, but it is Austin who chooses to believe that his way of life is superior. While Austin has, as Lee puts it, “…the wife and kiddies…the house, the car, the whole slam…(p.9),” we never discover if Lee owns anything at all, or is just a transient burglar. Lee has much to be jealous of in Austin. Austin, however, has very little to be jealous of in Lee. Lee is a thief who hasn’t ever settled down into anything. In this first scene, the overall emphasis of power between the brothers is material possessions, and Austin definitely has the power over Lee.The first scene defines each character and what they are. Austin is an ambitious man who wants very badly to finish his movie script and sell it. He says to his scripting agent, “I’ve got everything riding on this, Saul. You know that. It’s my only shot. If this falls through…(P. 35).” At the same time he is very patient and timid with his brother. Lee is very competitive, emotionally explosive and content to scrape by with the minimum of money. He does not feel that he is socially fit to live in a social community, as he says:LEE: This is the last time I try to live with people! (P. 46)And later,LEE: Hey, do you actually think I chose to live out in the middle a’ nowhere? Do ya’? Ya’ think its some kinda’ philosophical decision I took or somethin’? I’m livin’ out there ‘cause I can’t make it here! (P. 49)The first major change in one of the brothers is in Austin. After Austin’s agent offers Lee a deal which Austin was hoping to get, Austin almost refuses to believe it. When Lee needs Austin to be his writer, Austin becomes adamantly against Lee, and furiously tries to talk his agent out of the deal with Lee. Throu...
