How a Glorified Vision of an Ideal Family Has Been Exploited Time - Term Paper Example

A family can be defined in many ways; a child's first contact with the outside world that gives it a sense of identity. An intricate web of relationships that helps an individual value it before he/she steps out into the society to form new ones. Family can be viewed as a tree with long winding branches, or a patchwork quilt that denotes diverse personalities within the same perimeter. The metaphors are many but the concept is the same. The presence of parents, grandparents and relatives under the same roof (which still happens in many cultures) is no longer prevalent as modern-day families function more as nuclear units with only parents and sibling/s. This nuclear family often portrayed as the typical American family. However it has often been glorified and idealised for various purposes. This essay will discuss how a glorified vision of an ideal family has been exploited time and again to revive faith, boost morale and function as a window to a better quality of life. With many families getting scattered and functioning as separate units, children grow up unaware of members of their extended family. Such a scenario gives rise to the need for a family history, which not only acts as a future reference but also has sentimental value attached to it. Names and photographs, if possible, arranged in the shape of a tree with branches, signify nature of relationship i.e. genetic or through marriage. Family histories more often recorded in family bibles, help trace relations that may have drifted off and revive them for sentimental and occasionally practical reasons. For instance, in case of proving an inheritance, these family trees are useful in establishing and tracking down relations that may have been lost in the sands of time. At one level, family though may mean a group of individuals bound together by the genetic makeup, at another level, it also stands for national identity. The family tree, an illustration by Norman Rockwell, symbolises the concept of an American family at a national level. His illustration for the 1959 October edition of Saturday Evening Post cover shows a family tree filled with an array of faces, illustrating the eventful phases of history. The family tree comprising Yankees, Yeomen, Buccaneers, Confederates, Spanish beauties, Puritans and Aristocrats showcases America as a melting pot of cultures. Instead of depicting pilgrims at Plymouth rock as the beginning of American history, Rockwell preferred to illustrate pirates looting European ships carrying treasures, shown by ships from both ends and the coming together of pirates and European aristocrats through marriage (at the base of the family tree). Rockwell chose to depict Civil War through union and confederate soldiers portraying how diverse elements went into the forming of a new entity instead of using slaves to do so. The presence of mountain man and a tribal woman goes to show how various cultures and tribes were amalgamated into the history eventually giving rise to a broad and a tolerant outlook encasing the 'spirit of America'. However, it is debatable to judge the illustration as a representation of American entity since it is marked by the absence of Mexican and Asian faces. Rockwell also finds a place for himself as a preacher, in his glorified version of American history. He takes the liberty of projecting himself as a teacher entrusted with the responsibility of shedding light on the right path. Through his illustrations, Rockwell worked on the people's mindset by painting an idealised way of life by highlighting the country's rich past, glorifying old age values in order to revive people's faith in their country. His version of American history rightfully depicts the importance of family during the 1950s. This was mainly because this was an age when people were trying to forget the War and start a new life. This was the baby boom era as portrayed in Rockwell's family tree illustration with the picture of a baby boy at the top, where women were encouraged to marry and bear babies. The attempt was to boost the morale of a dejected population reeling under the after effects of Depression and World War II. Goods previously in scarcity due to war were suddenly in plenty fuelling the country's economy and growth. The same concept is showcased in Rockwell's two of his four freedom paintings. The four freedom paintings which was inspired by President Franklin D.Roosevelt's four freedoms speech went a long way towards conveying the message of an ideal family and also raise funds eventually. The Freedom From Want focuses on the notion of "plenty" rightfully depicted through food, a thanksgiving feast in particular with a happy large family at the dinner table. The illustration also represents gender stereotypes as was prevalent in the 1950s. The concept of patriarchy is highlighted where the man's position is shown by his seating at the table and in the family i.e. at the head. On the hand the woman, is portrayed as the subservient one responsible for maintaining family's health and harmony as depicted by the woman serving food. The illustration very clearly classifies gender roles where the woman goes unnoticed as all the other members are paying more attention to the food than the one serving it. The face looking out of the illustration is suggestive of how one can avail this state of bliss by adopting similar ideals. Rockwell's Freedom From Fear is suggestive of an ideal family once again with focus on security. The warmth of a home is apparent as the mother tucks the children in for the night even as the father, holding a newspaper, looks on. The setting is ideal as the parents stand in their children's room with toys and clothes strewn around. Where the mother is more worried about her children being warm and comfortable, the father has other thoughts. The newspaper headlines about a bombing worried him but he is now rest assured as he sees his child safe in bed, away from the chaos of the outside world. Here the concept of security is highlighted through the warmth of a home and a close-knit family. Once again the gender stereotypes are clearly highlighted, where man concerns himself with ensuring his family's safety but takes a step back when it comes to carrying out domestic chores, a woman's responsibility. Both the paintings accentuate the notion of how an ideal family symbolises peace and happiness. Instead of connecting with the outside world, the illustrations focus on turning inwards for peace and harmony. The very title 'Freedom from' instead of 'Freedom to' shows the defensive or a passive outlook instead of a proactive approach. It rightfully projects the mindset of the era where abstract notion of an idealised world is used to forget the tumultuous phase of the era gone by. The newspaper's headline about bombing, in the Freedom From Fear illustration, is in sharp contrast to the warmth and the secure location of a children's bedroom. The illustration shows the promise of allaying fear through the security of a home, which is an unrealistic solution. It projects a defensive attitude of running away from reality. Once again it is the desire for a model family, which is central theme of "Looking for Work" by the well-known Mexican American author/poet Gary Soto. The story connects with Rockwell's illustrations since it projects the same ideal family and gender stereotypes. For instance, the child protagonist desires a home where there is a father to solve all problems and a mother who wears nice clothes and cooks good food. Soto's "Looking for Work" is an autobiographical account of a childhood experience in his hometown in California. The author as a boy, living in poor economic conditions, indulges in watching television programmes during summer and soon enough begins to seek answers in it. The story goes on to describe the child's adventures as he looks for work and how he spends it on for a swimming session to beat the oppressive heat. The story also reflects on how his impressionable mind believes that replicating the lifestyle on television will alleviate their financial troubles. The story is combined with a universal theme of the desire for a better life, social approval and child's endeavour to achieve it. Reference to television programmes with titles like "Father knows best" reiterates the gender stereotypes once again as it depicts an affluent family around a breakfast table with the father wearing a suit and the mother decked in a pearl necklace. The story operates at various levels. It contains the ambitious desire for a better life. The story also brings to fore the bond of friendship forged in childhood and how young children are vulnerable to the glorified images on television. Besides, it also highlights disharmony between classes, how poor children are susceptible to crime (Para 32) and the need for acceptance (Para 28). The influence of television is very apparent as the child constantly compares the world portrayed on television, an ideal world of money, sophistication and class in contrast to his economic status. The child shows a great deal of insight by justifying his love for the programme for its "uncomplicated routine" implying that money troubles often made it difficult for the child's family to make two ends meet. On the other hand, child sees father as a trouble-shooter and attributes some of the family's misery to the absence of a father. Moreover, there is also a shift in the outlook from the beginning to the end of the story. Where the protagonist first sets out with a rake to earn money, towards the end of the story he realises value of getting joy out of small pleasures. The change in perception is apparent when the story concludes with the line "a dime to make the day right" instead of "wealthy". The complexity of the story is toned down by the humorous tone, which makes an enjoyable read. Besides it is also underlined by significant phrases such as "suddenly alive" symbolising hope and suggesting the onset of a new outlook. The mischievous activities of boys are also highlighted through suggestive phrases like "evilness" as used for boys to litter and how images of "broken pieces of glass and rusted car fenders awaited our knees (Para 30). Thus the concept of an ideal family has been projected as a safe haven from undesirable forces, a state of bliss where all needs are met and as a solution to class and economic differences. In an age when marriage as an institution is fast losing its credibility and families are falling apart, we are yet to find a suitable equivalent to replace the comfort, security and stability provided by a family. . Reference: 1. www. nrm.org 2. www-scf.usc.edu/clarkjen/Soto%20story.doc Read More