Phil and rebellion
Phil鈥檚 ambition may be driven by his need to escape the working class life laid before him. It also suggests a desire to defy conformity and pave his own path - reflecting the freedom that youth culture seemed to promise at the time.
Phil rebels against authority. Within the opening few minutes of the play Phil has arrived late, lied to his boss (Mr. Curry) and responded to direct orders from his superior with Chirpy this morning, eh?
, suggesting a complete lack of respect for authority.
Mr. Curry despairs at Phil鈥檚 lack of work ethic, discipline and standards in the slab room;
It鈥檚 more like a rest home for retired beatniks than a slab room.
Despite Curry鈥檚 efforts, Phil remains consistently disrespectful and unresponsive towards him, a reflection of Phil鈥檚 unwillingness to conform.
While refusing to follow a path that is not his choice helps the audience root for Phil, his rebellious nature leads to a disregard, even aggression against other people. He is quick to inform Jack that I'm not other people
before telling him to go:
...away back to your desk and fester.