Richard Yates’ Revolutionary Road was first published in 1961. This cult classic centers around a couple, Frank and April Wheeler, who lives in a suburban area. These two characters believe they are better than those surrounding them who apply to the norms of suburbia such as conformity, unity, and exclusivity. In a society such as this one, finding and maintaining an original identity is deceiving. The novel begins with a theatrical letdown, and it appears that every event thereafter ends in disappointment. The disastrous theatrical production in the opening chapter becomes a metaphor for Frank and April Wheeler’s failing marriage. The dialogue performed in the show coincides with imaginary dialogue. Actors and actresses are given screenplays
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Right after the production, the couple break out into a fight, and Frank declares she is imitating Madame Bovary (Yates 26). Madame Bovary had a stale marriage which led her to having an affair, and in the end, she commits suicide. In the same way as April, “Emma Bovary is a woman of only average intelligence whose romantic fantasies lead to disaster” (Madame Bovary). April views this affair as a way to defy society and is an act of rebellion and relief. Even this piece of independence does not satisfy her, and all she wishes for is to claim a true identity for herself (Patrizio). Similarly, Frank’s ongoing affair with Maureen Grube illustrates his dissatisfaction with his life. They both wish for a more remarkable reality than the dull one they are existing in. Just like the failure in the play, it is also displayed in all aspects of their …show more content…
She plays the role that Frank always wanted her to which is labeled as a submissive wife. April feels as if she has no other alternative, and her internal and external troubles will never come to a content resolution. After having the worst fight they have ever had, Frank wakes up to April making him breakfast and acting unexpectedly nice. She made it a perfect morning with warm smiles, sunlight shining through the window, and wearing a lovely maternity dress (Yates 311). In the final chapters of the book, April loses the baby performing a self-abortion and dies leaving Frank and the children on their own. Her last resort to escape from unhappiness and society is by committing suicide. Frank is left as a hollow shell while the children live with their uncle mirroring the childhood of April. Nobody expected this ending and remained in a shock as the truth was revealed. She put her previous acting lessons to use and was able to follow through with her morbid plan for the ultimate
Right after the production, the couple break out into a fight, and Frank declares she is imitating Madame Bovary (Yates 26). Madame Bovary had a stale marriage which led her to having an affair, and in the end, she commits suicide. In the same way as April, “Emma Bovary is a woman of only average intelligence whose romantic fantasies lead to disaster” (Madame Bovary). April views this affair as a way to defy society and is an act of rebellion and relief. Even this piece of independence does not satisfy her, and all she wishes for is to claim a true identity for herself (Patrizio). Similarly, Frank’s ongoing affair with Maureen Grube illustrates his dissatisfaction with his life. They both wish for a more remarkable reality than the dull one they are existing in. Just like the failure in the play, it is also displayed in all aspects of their …show more content…
She plays the role that Frank always wanted her to which is labeled as a submissive wife. April feels as if she has no other alternative, and her internal and external troubles will never come to a content resolution. After having the worst fight they have ever had, Frank wakes up to April making him breakfast and acting unexpectedly nice. She made it a perfect morning with warm smiles, sunlight shining through the window, and wearing a lovely maternity dress (Yates 311). In the final chapters of the book, April loses the baby performing a self-abortion and dies leaving Frank and the children on their own. Her last resort to escape from unhappiness and society is by committing suicide. Frank is left as a hollow shell while the children live with their uncle mirroring the childhood of April. Nobody expected this ending and remained in a shock as the truth was revealed. She put her previous acting lessons to use and was able to follow through with her morbid plan for the ultimate