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
It has come to the point that Julia becomes upset at Francis and accuses him of not loving her anymore. Although she has no idea about Anna, Julia knows that the neighbors of Shady Hill no longer accept the family like before. Julia, who always worked on her social network, is upset that Mrs. Wrightson did not invite them to a party. This is all due to Francis's mistreatment toward Mrs. Wrightson the other day. Their absence from the party will be perceived as a social embarrassment to everyone in Shady Hill (p. 41). Francis's rudeness toward Mrs. Wrightson upsets Julia when they are not invited to a party (Cheever p. 42). As Julia tries to maintain the family's social status, Francis is destroying it. Not facing reality, Julia wishes to live a superficial life where there are no social problems present for anyone to see. The narrator observes: Like any other typical family, Francis is the breadwinner and Julia is the housewife as well as the neighborhood social bug. While the marriage may seem like a happy relationship, no one would ever assume that Francis no longer loves his wife, Julia. He emotionally detaches himself from Julia and grows an obsession over Anne Murchison, the maid of a party. Francis's mental affair reveals the underlying, suppressed characteristics that make him neglect even the basic forms of politeness. Maxwell Geismar, writer for the New York Times, wrote on March 24, 1957, that, "The power of human love and desire, which turns out to be a shield for human loneliness and melancholy...(p. 213). After being disappointed and depressed about his situation, Francis becomes rude and unlike his usual self. In one case, Francis rudely replies to Mrs. Wrightson, "Shut up" (Cheever p. 37). Mrs. Wrightson is shocked at Francis's behavior, for previously he has not been purposefully rud
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Approximate Word count = 1239
Approximate Pages = 5 (250 words per page double spaced)
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