American Gothic - an openning volley

When approaching American Gothic many things become quite clear from the start. First and foremost is the rather glum look on the visages of the primary subjects of the work. Attired in clothes reminiscent of grab worn by the “upstanding church-going, god fearing” people of rural American they clearly represent the classic symbol of those that seek or sought the American dream. Quintessential representatives of the shame culture that the puritan settlers brought to the New world, there is no happiness in their lives. They remain materially poor, and despite their advancing years appear the part of still very much so entangled in the work. American Gothic appears to a visualization of the death of the American dream. What is promised by the Norman Rockwell glimpses of American is shown here to be strongly contrasted. There are no smiling children, and gay depictions of the marvels of American wealth. These are the people that lost out on that dream. They are old and past their time of celebration and gaiety. Perhaps it was on their thankless travail that the happiness in Rockwell’s work was built. If happiness was a major aspect of the American Dream, then to them it is either dead or has past them by completely. As far as age goes, it clearly illustrates the place of the aged and old in the American psyche. Relegated to the past, they are simply not part of what it is to be emblematic of the America. There is sadness and despair in getting old in America.

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