Frustration

Mamet seems to be affected by frustrations in his memories. All of the violence, starting with his grandfather, came out of frustrations. Being frustrated seems to cause anger which then leads to violence in Mamet’s case.

Mamet saw the effect of frustration from two generations. It started with his grandfather who acted out against his mother when she was growing up. He also saw it from his stepfather and mother.

Frustration is such a hard thing to cope with, I think. It’s hard to accept when you can’t change things, or do things, or make other people do things. Unfortunately some people take frustrations too far and end up with violence. Mamet suffered most of his childhood dealing, with the violence caused by his parents’ frustrations. Once something like that has been instilled in you, it’s hard to get over it. Just as it was hard for Mamet’s mother to get past after she had grown up seeing it all her life.

In the end, all of the frustration has built up in Mamet and he even takes it out on his sister. It’s like a cycle that never ends. They are all affected by it.