Unappreciation, grief, strain, heartbreak, unloving.
Those are the words to describe Neil Perry's relationship with his father.
Mr. Perry was known for a man who was forcing his son, Neil, to live the life he (Mr. Perry) wanted. With absolutely no regard whatsoever for his son's desires or emotion, Mr. Perry callously browbeat Neil to become a doctor. Neil himself said his father never once asked him what he wanted, how he felt or what his thoughts on anything were. Mr. Perry figured that what he wanted for Neil was best and was all that mattered, therefore he never considered the damage he was doing. Speculation exists that Mr. Perry did not get the career he wanted and therefore wanted Neil to have it for him to ease his shame, even if that meant neglecting Neil's emotions.
One day during 1957, Neil auditioned for a play, which was the first thing he had ever done against his dad's wishes, Mr. Perry came down hard on him and forbid him to do the play. However, Neil did it anyway and got a standing ovation for his performance, making him happier than he had ever been in his life. It was sadly short lived as Mr. Perry angrily took Neil home, but not before telling Mr. Keating to stay away from him.
That night, Mr. Perry, who was furious at his son walked through the door and into the living room. The son took his seat and hung his head in shame.
"We're trying very hard to understand why it is that you insist on defying us. Whatever the reason, we're not going to let you ruin your life." Mr. Perry said.
Neil's mother was deeply concerned.
"Tomorrow, I'm withdrawing you from Welton, and enrolling you in Braighton Military School. You're going to Harvard, and you're gonna be a doctor whether you like it or not." Mr. Perry then said.
Neil looked at his father in a horrified shock, realizing what his mother worried about. This time, his father wasn't going to be swayed by sweet talk or guilt trips, this was the last straw, he was going all the way with his threat.
"But that's 10 more years!" Neil whined. "Father, that's a lifetime!" Neil doesn't want to be away from his friends, or Todd. Even Mr. Keating would not want a student like Neil to leave the school.
"Oh stop it!" Mr. Perry said, angrily. "Don't be so dramatic, you make it sound like a prison term. You don't understand Neil, you have opportunities that I never even dreamt of, and I am not going to let you waste them!"
Neil couldn't hold in his repressed emotions anymore, he then bursted out while rising to his feet, begging, "I've got to tell you what I feel!"
"We've been so worried." Mrs. Perry said, concerned.
"What?!" Mr. Perry shouted. "Tell me what you feel! What is it?!"
Neil didn't know what to say. In some families all over the world - some parents are so strict, severe, unyielding, punitive, harsh, and controlling - that you have no choice but to live by their rules if you live under their roof - or be homeless.
"Is it more of this acting business? Because you can forget that." Mr. Perry said, angrily. He then crossed his arms, waiting impatiently. He then whispered as he gritted his teeth, "What?"
"You'll never understand." Neil thought in his head. He then quietly said, "Nothing."
He then sadly sat back into his chair.
"Well, then it's settled." Mr. Perry then said, "Well then, let's go to bed."
The controlling father then started to head upstairs to retire for the night.
"I was good. I was really good." Neil sadly whispered as he grimaced.
"Go on, get some sleep." Mrs. Perry said.
All Neil could do is feel badly for what he's done. He defied his father, and now he's going down a career path he doesn't want. But does he have a choice any more? What's the point of living a life that you don't want to have?