What influence do Alan's parents have on his personality?
             From the play entitled 'Equus' it can be seen that both Alan's mother, Dora Strang and his father, Frank Strang do have an active influence on their son's personality.
             Alan must have had a motive to harm the horses and this could have been partially influenced by either or both of his parents.
             To look at how Alan is influenced it can first be seen by the actions taken by Alan's father regarding his attitude towards television. Whilst Alan is a patient at the psychiatric home he speaks little until he shouts out 'Dad' in his sleep. This word was the answer to one of the questions Martin Dysart, the psychiatrist asked Alan the previous day. When Alan starts to speak to Dysart it can be seen that Alan's father does not permit him to watch the television and Frank Strang has a very strong view on the watching of the television:
             'You sit in front of that thing long enough, you'll be-
             come stupid for life – like most of the population.
             The thing is, it's a swiz. It seems to be offering you some-
             thing, but actually it's taking something away. Your intelligence
             and your concentration, every minute you watch it.
             That's a true swiz, do you see?' (Frank)
             Frank has a strong influence over Alan here because if he does not allow him to have the television then it means that he cannot watch it. If they keep the television and Alan does watch it he would be defying his fathers wishes and going against his rules.
             Frank's main reason for him not wanting his son to watch the television is because of his job as a printer. Frank is obviously a keen reader of books and with his book printing job he wishes his son would read a book instead of watch the television. As his own father was bought up reading books Frank thinks that the times should not change. A book, according to Al
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