Though discrimination seems to be oblivient to Hally, on pg. 1289 Hally's reminisce of old memories with the boys and the statement "Walking home from school and thinking: "What can I do this afternoon?" Try out a few ideas, but sooner or later I would end up in there with you fellows," shows that Hally established early a defining core relationship to the boys and truly cared for them, despite society's word on forbidden black/white relationships. The laughing and joking shows the respect that had developed between one another over the years. One specific memory that shows the defining respect Sam and Hally have for each other is the kite memory. Sam remembered this memory clearly, yet he wanted for Hally to tell it to him, possibly in an attempt to see what Hally kept from it. This memory is again discussed in the ending actions of Hally. .
Hally receives a phone call from his mother and an understanding that Hally does not want his father to come home is apparent in his actions and statements. He repeats the fact that his father was ill just yesterday and in no way could be healthy enough to return home the following day. He persistently tries to convince his mother to get a second opinion from another doctor or to even tell his father the doctors had not released him. "You know what it is going to be like if he comes home," he tells his mother. Hally's language up to this point in the play, has been somewhat respectful towards Sam and Willie. After ending the call with his mother "All I can say is *censored*-it-all" shoots out of his mouth. It is then that Hally's deeper character and possibly a more painful one is shown. After the phone call with his mother and being disturbed by Sam and Willie while doing his homework, Sam starts to get violent, making racist jokes and even threatening Willie with a stick.
Hally's crippled alcoholic father is the reason for his sudden abusive and racist behavior.