Themes from American Literature

Revolutionary Road takes place in a 1950's American town. The setting is crucial to the many themes that can be connected to the text. One significant theme is the idea that every American wants to seem flawless, so they hide all of there problems or troubles. This theme is present throughout all of the novel, because Frank and April Wheeler epitomize the average suburban Americans who seem to live perfectly lovely lives. However in truth, they both have so many issues with each other and within themselves, that they are very destructive. Leading to another recurring theme about how American society feeds off of scandal and gossip, Frank and April cannot forever pretend like they live these exemplary lives. April ends up attempting to give herself an abortion, when she knew it was extremely dangerous, and she dies along with her unborn baby. Frank is an abusive alcoholic who just becomes a hollow man with absolutely no life after his wife dies. When the ambulance comes down Revolutionary Hill, the Wheelers are the center of the town's gossip. What happened to April? Was it an accident? Does Frank know yet? Although the whole town was mourning her death, they were also enjoying, in a rather sick way, that there was a new scandal to talk about. Even Milly Campbell, who is April's best friend, finds great pleasure in dramatizing and telling the story to anyone who will listen. The idea of society feeding off of scandal also connects to the part of the novel when John Givings attacks his parents and the state troopers are called in for help. Obviously this is another sensitive situation, but the word spreads around town like a speeding bullet. Although this story took place in the 1950's, these two universal truths have been around in American society forever and always will be. People want to seem perfect, so they hide all of their skeletons away in a closet; but these skeletons cannot stay hidden forever, and society feeds off of the latest juicy gossip.