The Men Who Raised Billy

American Rust

Billy’s relationships with Virgil and Harris reveal contrasting models of masculine authority: evasion and manipulation on one side, protection mixed with control on the other.

increasing

Bearing strength in each event

decreasing

An Absent Father An Absent Father from "American Rust". An Absent Father Virgil’s unreliable presence Virgil Poe moves in and out of Grace’s life, contributing little consistently to Billy’s care or support.

An Absent Father from "American Rust". An Absent Father Virgil’s unreliable presence Virgil Poe moves in and out of Grace’s life, contributing little consistently to Billy’s care or support.

An Absent Father Virgil’s unreliable presence Virgil Poe moves in and out of Grace’s life, contributing little consistently to Billy’s care or support. A model Billy resents Billy recognizes his father’s selfishness and lies, but also sees traits in himself that resemble Virgil’s anger and impulsiveness.

Harris’s Earlier Favor Harris’s Earlier Favor from "American Rust". Harris’s Earlier Favor A charge reduced Bud Harris helps Billy after Billy seriously injures a teenager in a fight, allowing him to avoid a much harsher…

Harris’s Earlier Favor from "American Rust". Harris’s Earlier Favor A charge reduced Bud Harris helps Billy after Billy seriously injures a teenager in a fight, allowing him to avoid a much harsher…

Harris’s Earlier Favor A charge reduced Bud Harris helps Billy after Billy seriously injures a teenager in a fight, allowing him to avoid a much harsher outcome. Protection with consequences Billy experiences the result as luck, while Harris sees it as a chance that Billy fails to learn from. Their relationship develops as both care and a warning.

Harris’s Lecture Harris’s Lecture from "American Rust". Harris’s Lecture A blunt assessment Harris reminds Billy of the violence and opportunities that shaped his current danger, accusing him of wasting chances and…

Harris’s Lecture from "American Rust". Harris’s Lecture A blunt assessment Harris reminds Billy of the violence and opportunities that shaped his current danger, accusing him of wasting chances and…

Harris’s Lecture A blunt assessment Harris reminds Billy of the violence and opportunities that shaped his current danger, accusing him of wasting chances and relying on others to rescue him. Resentment underneath Billy resents Harris’s judgment, especially because Harris has not been an impartial authority in his life. Yet he also recognizes that Harris has repeatedly tried to protect him.

A Farewell at the Trailer A Farewell at the Trailer from "American Rust". A Farewell at the Trailer A mother’s instruction Grace tells Billy to listen to Harris and do what he says.

A Farewell at the Trailer from "American Rust". A Farewell at the Trailer A mother’s instruction Grace tells Billy to listen to Harris and do what he says.

A Farewell at the Trailer A mother’s instruction Grace tells Billy to listen to Harris and do what he says. Harris waits while she comes out to see her son off. Protective authority Billy sees a complicated bond between his mother and Harris. Harris’s care is genuine, but his actions also help decide where Billy goes and what choices remain available.

Protection from Afar Protection from Afar from "American Rust". Protection from Afar Harris keeps intervening Harris promises Grace that he will make sure nothing happens to Billy, while privately recognizing the danger and…

Protection from Afar from "American Rust". Protection from Afar Harris keeps intervening Harris promises Grace that he will make sure nothing happens to Billy, while privately recognizing the danger and…

Protection from Afar Harris keeps intervening Harris promises Grace that he will make sure nothing happens to Billy, while privately recognizing the danger and moral cost of his involvement. Care becomes burden His protective role has expanded from favors to possible criminal acts. The relationship remains quasi-familial, but neither man can rely on simple trust.

Billy’s childhood and adolescence

After the Donora assault

The day after Billy’s arrest

The morning Billy is taken to Uniontown

After the prison stabbing