As one looks through the big and large windows, they can see the insides and notice the “busily flowering busy-lizzies” and “glass decorations”. When the author describes the interiors, the decoration - the flowers and the glass - are for show and to be admired. In the house itself there “are so many objects, so rarely any people”, suggesting that the household has many things and objects for show and adoration. One thinks more of a museum the viewers on one side of the glass - watching the objects.
There is a contrast because there seems to almost no movement in the illuminated rooms, but there “seems to be something happening in the darkened rooms where uncertain light of television sets flickers”. This shows the reader that even the “mechanical animation” of a television set in a room hints at life, even though the room is dark and harder to penetrate, compared to the illuminated rooms where everything though visible appears lifeless. The mechanical animation is not a natural life force - but it is still more alive than the empty room. The deserted illuminated rooms may also remind the reader of a display that is well lit for the public to see, and the dark areas where things are still being organized. This could also present the picture of a magazine cover showing the perfect furniture and perfect decoration that would be an appealing vision for a reader, but at the same time reflecting a stereo typical, generic neighborhood that could be dull, without imagination but representing the American dream.
Desai is also builds on the mood through her descriptions of the exterior environments. She describes the town and the area surrounding the houses. Outside many of the houses there is the “starred and striped American flag [...] with all the bravado of new frontier”. This would imply that most of the owners of these flags are patriotic -‘believe in their country,” and publicly display this. The garden is described as having signs of life through “the rubber paddling pools by children who have gone in, moulded plastic tricycles”, but there are also a more adult adornments, such as lawn art like “pink plastic flamingoes” and the “gnomes [...] like decoys”. The children’s toys seem used because they have been left as if the just ridden> However, everything is made out of plastic, which creates the feeling of something fake. The repetition of the word “plastic” only highlights that all the furniture and lawn art for both children and adults seem like decorations. The word “gnome” has a special meaning, it is an old, small man who guards his treasures. This implies that each house has treasure, which the gnomes guard from intruders. The author uses the term decoy, which could suggest that the visitors attention is being distracted in order not to look to closely at the emptiness of the homes. When there is the description of a car and “its assigned driveway”, it makes it seem that everything in the town has a place and an order to be in. Desai then talks about the “mailboxes that line the drive” which again implies a world where everything is ordered without variation.
To conclude, two main descriptive themes have been reviewed, that Anita Desai uses to create memorable scenery. The description of the homes interiors and the descriptions of the external environment in the neighborhood. Both descriptions lead the reader to feel a sense of emptiness, sterility and order. The town is one in which there is no deviation. The town is patriotic and everyone shows it, and for as long as the plastic lasts the vision will remain the same. It is the perfect American dream.
by
viola0101 (student)
