Clybourne Park

This foot locker belonged to Russ and Bev's son, Kenneth, a Korean War veteran whose apparentPTSD, and subsequent shunning by the community, led to his suicide. Russ and Bev keep his suicide letter and other effects inside the trunk. It weighs so much that it takes two people to lift it. Russ insists that he will move it downstairs, but Francine and Albert end up doing so, and accidentally let it slip down the stairs, where it bars their exit from the stairwell. Its weight becomes a metaphor for the weight of the tragedy and subsequent grief surrounding Kenneth's service and suicide. It reappears in the second act, having been buried in the backyard by Russ. Again, its presence is obstructive, as it must be moved for Dan to install the koi pond in Steve and Lindsey's yard.

When asked by Bev whether the black family who purchased their home has needs, Karl responds that they do, "in principle" (29). He continues that, even though that may be true, people can't "live in a principle" (29), people need to "live in a house" (29).