This article aims to explore the twisted masculinity and oppressed femininity of the American White family in Fool for Love. The existing criticism focusing on the characters of the play falls into two: battle of irreconcilable passion; anguished search for identity. However, the former overlooks the importance of The Old Man that endows the play with historical and mythical dimension. On the contrary, the latter recognizes the significant role of The Old Man, but falls into the error of logical contradictions and insufficient discussion. This article will analyze The Old Man, Eddie, and May in detail and make clear the destructive influence of the myth of the American West on their respective masculinity and femininity.<BR> The Old Man evinces contorted masculinity and subjugated femininity through inner violence, heavy drinking, and fear of domestication. Eddie is driven by an intense competitiveness and attempts to win May"s affection through manly display. He inherits heavy drinking, living a double life of divided love, and fear of emotional commitment from The Old Man, On the other hand, May inherits inner violence and fear of his subjection to the home from The Old Man. Her violent action against Eddie is the example of the former and her escape from the motel room just after Eddie"s final exit is that of the latter. She cannot escape from The Old Man"s destructive influence in spite of her failure to recognize it. Conclusively, Fool for Love is the poetic figuration of the disastrous influence of the delusive ideology of machismo on the American White family.
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