How does Horton Foote use imagery in The Young Man from Atlanta?

A particular motif, or recurring image, is that of fathers and sons. Several relationships in the play represent aspects of the loyalties, illusions, needs and disappointments that ebb and flow between this most fundamental of male affiliations. The relationships between Will and Bill, between Bill and his roommate, between Will and Tom (whom Will himself refers to as a surrogate son) and between Ted and his father all function in this way.