"Revolutionary Road" Characters Analysis

Character Analysis: "Revolutionary Road"

List of Characters

The following are the main characters in Richard Yates' novel "Revolutionary Road":

Character Name	Role
Frank Wheeler	Protagonist
April Wheeler	Protagonist
Shep Campbell	Friend
John Givings	Neighbor
Mrs. Helen Givings	Neighbor
Milly Campbell	Shep's Wife
Howard Givings	John's Father
Maureen Grube	Temporary secretary
Bart Pollack	Friend
Mrs. Bart Pollack	Bart's Wife

Role Identification

In "Revolutionary Road," each character plays a specific role in highlighting different aspects of suburban life and social norms in 1950s America.

Character Descriptions

1. Frank Wheeler:
   • Description: Frank is a handsome and ambitious man in his thirties who works for a business machine company.
   • Appearance: He is described as well-dressed, with a charismatic presence.
   • Personality: Frank initially presents himself as confident and witty, but he struggles with feelings of dissatisfaction and emptiness.
   • Actions: He often tries to escape from the confines of suburban life by dreaming of a more meaningful and adventurous future.
   • Impact: Frank's character embodies the struggle between conformity and personal fulfillment.
2. April Wheeler:
   • Description: April is Frank's beautiful wife who gave up her dream of becoming an actress to settle into domestic life.
   • Appearance: She is described as lovely, with delicate features.
   • Personality: April initially appears as a supportive wife but becomes disillusioned with suburban life and becomes more desperate to escape.
   • Actions: She suggests moving to Paris to pursue her acting career but faces opposition from Frank and society’s expectations.
   • Impact: April epitomizes the unfulfilled desires and frustrations experienced by many women in 1950s society.
3. Shep Campbell:
   • Description: Shep is the Wheelers' friend and neighbor who represents a more traditional and contented suburban lifestyle.
   • Appearance: He is often portrayed as a disheveled and average-looking middle-aged man.
   • Personality: Shep is content with his role as a father and husband, and he has a more realistic outlook on life.
   • Actions: Shep serves as a contrast to the Wheelers, highlighting their discontent and the limitations they feel trapped by.
   • Impact: Shep's character represents the alternative path taken by those who embrace the suburban lifestyle willingly.
4. John Givings:
   • Description: John is the mentally unstable adult son of Frank and April's neighbors. He has spent time in an asylum.
   • Appearance: He is described as unkempt and socially inappropriate.
   • Personality: John is intelligent but lacks social filters, often speaking bluntly and truthfully.
   • Actions: Despite his mental health issues, John offers insights that expose the superficiality and hypocrisy of suburban life.
   • Impact: John’s character acts as a catalyst for self-reflection in both the Wheelers and the readers, challenging societal norms.

Character Traits

1. Frank Wheeler:
   • Traits: Ambitious, charismatic, dissatisfied, dreamer, trapped by societal expectations.
2. April Wheeler:
   • Traits: Beautiful, resilient, disillusioned, determined, yearns for freedom and fulfillment.
3. Shep Campbell:
   • Traits: Average, contented, traditional, stable, accepting of suburban life.
4. John Givings:
   • Traits: Unstable, intelligent, socially inappropriate, brutally honest, sees through societal facades.

Character Background

1. Frank Wheeler:
   • Background: Frank comes from a working-class background and married April against her family's wishes. He aspires to escape his father's unfulfilled life and make something more of himself.
2. April Wheeler:
   • Background: April grew up in wealthier surroundings and had ambitions to become an actress. She settled into married life after becoming pregnant but became increasingly frustrated with her unfulfilled dreams.
3. Shep Campbell:
   • Background: Shep grew up in a middle-class family and embraced the suburban lifestyle, prioritizing stability and family over personal aspirations.
4. John Givings:
   • Background: John comes from a privileged background but suffered a mental breakdown, resulting in his confinement in a mental institution. He returns home but struggles with fitting into the societal norms of suburban life.

Character Arcs

1. Frank Wheeler:
   • Arc: Frank starts as a confident dreamer who believes he is destined for greatness but ultimately realizes he is trapped in a mundane and unfulfilling life. His arc leads to a recognition of the importance of authenticity and self-acceptance.
2. April Wheeler:
   • Arc: April begins as a supportive wife and mother who once had dreams of becoming an actress. Her arc involves a growing sense of desperation and a determination to escape the suffocating suburban life. However, her final decision tragically ends her life.
3. Shep Campbell:
   • Arc: Shep remains relatively static throughout the novel, representing the contentment and stability of suburban life. However, he also serves as a cautionary character, showcasing the potential consequences of blindly accepting societal expectations.
4. John Givings:
   • Arc: John's arc involves coming to terms with his own mental health issues and finding a sense of purpose in providing brutally honest commentary on the absurdity of suburban norms. His presence acts as a catalyst for change in the Wheeler family.

Relationships

1. Frank and April Wheeler:
   • Description: Frank and April's relationship initially appears strong but becomes strained as they both struggle with their dissatisfaction. They communicate poorly, leading to growing resentment and a breakdown in their marriage.
2. Frank Wheeler and Shep Campbell:
   • Description: Frank and Shep share a bond of friendship but also represent contrasting choices. Shep's contentment highlights Frank's discontent and adds tension to their relationship.
3. Frank and April Wheeler with John and Helen Givings:
   • Description: The interaction between the two couples acts as a catalyst for significant self-reflection. The Givings provide honest and unfiltered insights, challenging the Wheelers' assumptions about their marriage and the suburban life they lead.
4. Frank and April Wheeler with Bart and Mrs. Bart Pollack:
   • Description: The relationship with the Pollacks serves to highlight the superficiality and emptiness of social interactions within suburban society. It further emphasizes the disconnect between the Wheelers' aspirations and the reality of their lives.

In conclusion, "Revolutionary Road" vividly portrays the struggles of the main characters as they confront the limitations and dissatisfaction of suburban life in 1950s America. Each character represents different aspects of this struggle, highlighting the conflict between personal fulfillment and societal expectations. Their arcs and relationships provide valuable insights into the complexities of human desires, aspirations, and the consequences of conformity. Yates' exploration of these characters offers readers a compelling and thought-provoking examination of the human condition in a specific time and place.