The Man In The Gray Flannel Suit Analysis
A typical woman in the 1950’s would be a feminine stay-at-home mom that cooks, cleans, and takes care of the children. Contrarily, a typical man would be a masculine father figure that wakes up every morning to go to work and returns in the evenings in time for supper. In Sloan Wilsons novel, The Man in the Gray Flannel Suit, Tom and Betsy Rath epitomize the model precisely, or so it seems. They are a young couple that has everything going for them: three children, a decent home, and a steady income. Even though they have every reason to be happy there is something missing that leads to their discontentment. From Betsy’s vast list of desires and dreams to Tom’s secret past and inclination to fulfill his wife’s wants, the two suffer from a
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He feels guilt, sorrow, and confusion with the situation. During work one day, Tom begins to think of Maria. “Maria. Somehow the very name sounded heartbreakingly lonely and forlorn. He felt as though he had been awakened suddenly in the night by the distant echo of a cry for help” (Wilson 216). At this point, Tom begins to weigh his options and starts to realize that he must muster up enough confidence to reveal the truth to Betsy. For he knows that if he does he can return to the life he had before the war with no worries or problems. He can finally find contentment in his life again and live up to his role as a good father and husband. Although the confession leads to Betsy becoming angry and confused, Tom feels a sense of relief. He says, “I know things haven’t been good since the war, I think they’re going to be better” (Wilson 267). After some time to think Betsy states, “I realized for the first time what you went through in the war, and what different worlds we’ve been living in ever since. I’m sorry I acted like a child” (Wilson 271). Here Betsy accepts Toms betrayal and agrees to send money to Maria and her son. For the first time ever she puts someone else before herself, representing the feminine mother figure. With all secrets and worries out of the way, Tom and Betsy regain control over their lives once again. By earning Betsy’s understanding and support, Tom becomes self-directed and begins to live his role for family and
He feels guilt, sorrow, and confusion with the situation. During work one day, Tom begins to think of Maria. “Maria. Somehow the very name sounded heartbreakingly lonely and forlorn. He felt as though he had been awakened suddenly in the night by the distant echo of a cry for help” (Wilson 216). At this point, Tom begins to weigh his options and starts to realize that he must muster up enough confidence to reveal the truth to Betsy. For he knows that if he does he can return to the life he had before the war with no worries or problems. He can finally find contentment in his life again and live up to his role as a good father and husband. Although the confession leads to Betsy becoming angry and confused, Tom feels a sense of relief. He says, “I know things haven’t been good since the war, I think they’re going to be better” (Wilson 267). After some time to think Betsy states, “I realized for the first time what you went through in the war, and what different worlds we’ve been living in ever since. I’m sorry I acted like a child” (Wilson 271). Here Betsy accepts Toms betrayal and agrees to send money to Maria and her son. For the first time ever she puts someone else before herself, representing the feminine mother figure. With all secrets and worries out of the way, Tom and Betsy regain control over their lives once again. By earning Betsy’s understanding and support, Tom becomes self-directed and begins to live his role for family and