Revolutionary Road Analysis

Helen is a high-strung, perfectionistic realtor who feels superior to many of her clients and tries too hard to appear cheerful.

John, Helen's son, is an intelligent non-conformist who was once a mathematics teacher, but is now in a mental institution.

Aunt Claire is the guardian of April, a young girl in the story.

Oat Fields, a large man with sloppy eating habits, is a sales manager at Knox Business Machines.

Warren Brace is the husband of Nancy. They move into the Wheelers' house after Frank sells it.

Nancy Brace is the wife of Warren. They move into the Wheelers' house after Frank sells it.

April Wheeler, the protagonist of the story, attempts to end her own life after an accidental pregnancy, highlighting the complex social and personal pressures women faced in the mid-20th century.

Frank Wheeler, April's husband, struggles to cope with April's death and the subsequent changes in his life. He moves to New York City and seeks solace in his brother's support.

Shep Campbell, a character who initially rejected his privileged upbringing, later regrets his choice and ultimately finds reconciliation with his past. This demonstrates a common theme of personal growth and coming to terms with one's origins.

Helen Givings, a character who forms a strong bond with Shep, expresses her belief that John, a mentally ill patient, is responsible for April's suicide. This revelation emphasizes the impact of John's instability on other lives.

The novel explores the theme of societal expectations and their impact on individuals. April's struggle with pregnancy and her subsequent suicide highlight the pressures women faced in the mid-20th century. Shep's journey reflects his internal struggle to reconcile his upbringing with his own choices.

The author skillfully uses the characters' individual journeys to portray the complexities of human relationships, grief, and the search for meaning in the face of societal expectations and personal choices.

The novel's setting, primarily in the suburbs of America during the 1950s and 1960s, provides a backdrop for the characters' struggles with personal identity, societal pressures, and the search for purpose.

The novel's plot unfolds through a series of events that reveal the characters' inner conflicts, highlighting their struggles to navigate personal desires and societal expectations. It explores themes of loss, reconciliation, personal growth, and the search for meaning in the face of adversity.

The desire to rise above a simply successful life and prove one's worth by demonstrating good understanding and appreciation of art, culture, and style.

In the novel, a tastefully decorated home, even if modest, suggests intelligence and sophistication over a lavishly decorated one.

Shows a genuine understanding and appreciation of fine art, literature, design or culture, highlighting a person's intellectual depth.

A fear of being perceived as ordinary or lacking unique qualities, a desire to stand out from the crowd. The characters are afraid of conformity.

A fear of being labeled as mentally unstable or eccentric, a desire to be seen as normal and accepted by society.

A trophy wife is a woman seen primarily as a symbol of status and success, often valued for her beauty and social standing.

An ideal life that goes beyond the expectations of society, a life that is fulfilling and authentic to the individual.

A woman who demonstrates her independence by expressing her own taste and opinions, even if it challenges others

A rubber syringe is a medical device used to administer fluids, but in the story, it represents April's desire to take control of her own destiny by ending her pregnancy.

For April, the rubber syringe represents a way to take control of her own life and body by ending her pregnancy.

For Frank, April's use of the syringe is a threat to his power and control over her. He sees her pregnancies as a way to keep her from leaving him.

The rubber syringe's phallic shape and intended use for abortion further emphasizes the tension between Frank and April's power dynamics.

Milly, who grew up in poverty, adopts a 'wealthy' and unsentimental attitude to fit in with Shep's social circles.

Milly's true feelings are revealed in her home decor, where she expresses her desire for domesticity and family, in contrast to her public facade.

Shep and Helen, from wealthy backgrounds, perceive themselves as superior to others in their suburban community.

Helen finds self-validation through her work, specifically through renovations and resale, as she believes her taste is superior to others.

The primary protagonist, a man struggling with ambitions and the realities of life. He works as a regional manager for Knox Business Machines, a job he holds onto through the Depression. Despite his hard work and desire for advancement, he experiences limited career growth. He is proud of his son Frank when Frank gets a job in New York.

A man who is a regional manager for Knox Business Machines. He struggles to survive in a corporate environment, seeking fulfillment when faced with the limitations of his career. He struggles to understand and support his son Frank's dreams.

A woman who is deeply unhappy in her marriage and seeks to escape her life in Connecticut. She feels frustrated by her domestic role and yearns for a life of artistic fulfillment and personal independence.

A man who is a drummer at Vito's Log Cabin. The Wheelers and Campbells frequent this bar for dancing and drinking. His honesty and directness unsettle his mother Helen.

Frank Wheeler, a man who is struggling to define his own identity and find his place in the world. He is a writer but is unable to find success. He is drawn to April's artistic spirit and shares her desire to escape their lives, but he also feels constrained by social expectations.

A fraile, sixty-eight year old man. He leads a relaxed, unstimulating life. He is able to control John when he becomes agitated and calm Helen. He often hides from their problems by turning off his hearing aid.

A theme which explores the idea of how codependence can turn a disappointing marriage into a life-destroying one.

A concept that explores the limitations of traditional expectations. It explores how societal pressures can affect individuals' ability to be true to themselves and achieve fulfillment.

April's reaction to Frank's constant attempts to discuss the play she just performed in, showing her desire for space and independence.

Frank's persistent attempts to engage April in conversation about her performance in "The Petrified Forest", even when she clearly wants space.

The continuous argument between April and Frank, highlighting their deep conflicts and struggles in their marriage.

April's genuine perspective and motivations, rarely seen in the novel, are revealed through the intensity of this altercation.

April's inherent tendency to leave when things get tough, demonstrating her fear of commitment and deep-rooted sense of insecurity.

April's desire for superficial pleasures like fixing her hair and buying new clothes, as a way to distract herself from deeper issues in her life.

April's ability to appear content and happy while harboring a deep sense of dissatisfaction and restlessness.

The central theme that drives the plot, highlighting the struggles of a marriage that seems happy on the surface, but is deeply dysfunctional.