This short story is a very good one, since we get to learn their neighbors step by step. Firstly they all seem happy and satisfied, but as the story goes on, we get to learn the ugly truths about them through their fights and arguments.
Contrarily, the family listening to them has significant differences from them. They rather listen to music, when they need to have a discussion. They are also distinctive in other ways, too. However the main reason of this specific difference should be "the american dream", as it is already mentioned that they own a maid and willing to live in westchester, which is a quite elite part of the city.
As they hear their neighbors arguments and learn about their lives, they slowly realise the fact that the life is not that beautiful as they aim to live. Irene, the mother of the family, also says:
"Life is too terrible, too sordid
and awful. But we've never been like that, have we, darling? Have we? I
mean, we've always been good and decent and loving to one another,
haven't we? And we have two children, two beautiful children. Our lives
aren't sordid, are they, darling? Are they?" She flung her arms around
his neck and drew his face down to hers. "We're happy, aren't we, darling?
We are happy, aren't we?"
This would be a cristal clear proof of the reality shown by John Cheever. The way he uses, is a very good way to distinguish the stereotype of the american dream. As a result we can see that the american dream is another massive lie, created to manipulate and control people, just like the global warming. I will be writing about these stuff in my later posts ;)
