The Country Husband Essay
America, a nation distinguished by its prosperity and success, is filled with homes whose facades reflect these characteristics--houses composed of nicely trimmed lawns, the family Volkswagen parked on the driveway, friendly neighbors similar to every other family, and the happy 2.5 children playing in the backyard. However, behind the walls of many of these homes reside anything but successful families. These typical nuclear families may be able to imitate "normal" families, but how far can they undergo their agony until the truth is exposed? Many families try to conceal any problems that may arise throughout a marriage. John Cheever, author of "The Country Husband," introduces the reader to a couple from Shady Hill, Francis and Julia Weed, who has a conventional marriage lacking love. Their marriage only serves the purpose of satisfying an image as a conventional family, but it does not fulfill their inner wishes or desires. The town, Shady Hill, itself does not promote people to chase their dreams if it does not fit the appropriate public standards and rules. In a critique by Lynne Waldeland, she describes Shady Hill as:A suburb of New York City, which, while not as severe as Hester's Salem, is nonetheless inhospi
Their absence from the party will be perceived as a social embarrassment to everyone in Shady Hill (p. However, unveil the surface and all the truth comes out. Francis can either be polite or impolite. Things seemed arranged with more propriety even than in the Kingdom of Heaven. The truth is not what is known or presented as, instead it is usually a secret being hidden only for the acceptance of fellow peers. As Julia tries to maintain the family's social status, Francis is destroying it. Is it because he wants to or he had no other option? John Cheever writes an interesting essay that gives us a typical man from a typical town who may seem to have a normal life, but is not content from what life has to offer. While the marriage may seem like a happy relationship, no one would ever assume that Francis no longer loves his wife, Julia. Francis is tired of his life, his family, and Shady Hill. Thus, fantasizing about another women is his escape out of the propriety that ruled his life.
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