Revolutionary Road is a novel which is capable of pulling strings of every reader’s soul and makes him/her feel sorry for characters. Probably, the secret of this story is hidden in the fact that it portrays the basic fears we all share. What is it? That is a fear of failure. It is not a secret that all people have dreams and hopes, which make us work hard to achieve them. The fear of failure is the thing which can force people to give up on their hopes. In such a way, the author plays with human mind.
Frank Wheeler is a perfect example of a man, who craves for love, attention and support. He used to be lonely, the baby of the family, always a dreamer, a joke for everyone, an outcast both in the school and in the army. April’s rejection makes him look for affection in other places, for he needs that sense of self-importance, love and respect from his wife. Being immersed in his own world, he doesn’t notice that his wife is on the edge, that his children are as lonely as he used to be. He proves to be an awful father, who is not capable of taking care about those, who need him. In spite of adultery, short temper and even immaturity, Frank is not the antagonist, he doesn’t bring odium on himself, for it is clear that he is not only one to blame, that he also has good traits of character.
April Wheeler’s tragedy is a result of unhappy childhood. Her parents never paid attention to her, so she was forced to change one family after another, an unwished and unwanted child. April is that kind of a person, who needs time to solve all that awful baggage of psychological problems in order to be able to decide what she wants to do with her life. Unfortunately, she meets Frank before she solves her issues. The marriage, then children and a hollow feeling that it is all a big mistake are the things her life consists of. That is not what she wants and needs. Here is an interesting thing every reader should absolutely pay attention to. Neither Frank nor April really tells each other what they really want; what is more, they don’t ask what each of them wants. Both just go with the stream and that steam takes that right to the point, where nothing is left for them to do.
The novel shows how important it is to listen to oneself and people around. One shouldn’t think that he/she is entitled to decide for those, who near him/her. This is a great story to read for those, who are going to get married, parents or parents-to-be and many other people, who forget about importance of being attentive not only to their own feelings but others’ too. Although the novel leaves a hollow feeling, it is full of useful life lessons which should be noted by everyone.
