The qualities of life in America have been and continue to be put under criticism by the works of various authors, both in the past and in the present. These criticisms focus on the social lifestyles that have been adopted by the American people, some of which can be accepted as still being true today.
Robert Frost, in his poem “Mending Wall” criticizes the isolated way of life that had been adopted by the Americans of his time. He uses the analogy of two neighbors who mend a wall annually as a way of maintaining their good relationships to showcase the individuality that has been adopted by the American people. He also criticizes racism, and this is given that it has caused the stratification of the American society all in the name of peace. The narrator’s neighbor in his poem keeps referring to the phrase “Good fences make good neighbors” (Frost, 1914). In present America, the regionalization, undertaken under racial lines, has ensured that good relations are maintained provided that nobody crosses over to a region that is not considered theirs. This is their own way of maintaining their personal identity and avoiding chaos, rather than breaking the invisible barriers and interacting freely.
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Another author who critiques the American social setup is from among the ones that we’ve studied of this week is Edwin Arlington Robinson, who satirizes the expectations of the people that men with wealth and class are automatically happy. He does this in the poem “Richard Cory”. Americans expect that the rich people, be they famous celebrities or influential businessmen, automatically live happy lives just because they have what most people lack. Through irony, he says that Richard appeared to be shining whenever he walked on the streets and the people worked hard to be like him. He however commits suicide, a sign that his wealth did not bring him the happiness he so desired. Similarly, wealthy people in today’s America are expected to be happy just because they have it all.
Regarding gender stereotypes and expectations, Charlotte Perkins Gilman speaks out on the fact that women are considered second-class citizens and have their decisions made for them by their husbands. The character John assumes that he is helping his wife by his patronizing and dominating acts, depicting that women, just like children, are unreasonable. The woman is also expected to uphold a happy marriage, and the narrator does this by hiding her anxiety and depression. She also remains passive and follows her husband’s orders not to write. Generally, the woman is expected to be subordinate to man, and to put the needs of her family over hers.
Edwin Arlington, in his poem “Miniver Cheevy” uses the character Miniver to show that men are expected to be strong in the face of adversity (Robinson, 1910). Miniver is unable to bring his life out of nothingness and he spends time pitying himself and weeping in frustration, contrary to how men are expected to behave. He spends time taking alcohol and daydreaming, rather than working, and blames it on his untimely birth.
Both the stereotypes and expectations stipulated above still occur in the contemporary life, albeit their occurrence is currently minimal. Gender equality has ensured that most women are heard in marriages rather than being seen. However, men are still expected to be level-headed and to be able to provide for themselves.
References
Frost, R. (1914). “Mending Walls”. North of Boston.
Robinson, E. A. (1897). “Richard Cory”. The Children of the Night. New York: Twayne Publishers Inc.
Robinson, E. A. (1910). “Miniver Cheevy”. The Town down the River. Dover Thrift Editions: Dover Publishers.
