Edward's differences both appearance-wise and
talent-wise gained
him acceptance into a tightly knit suburban community. However, at the
conclusion of the film, it is these differences which lead to his
hostile expulsion from the community. The results of numerous attempts
to mold him into a product of suburban ideals, proved only to be
superficial.
During time of crisis, the citizens immediately blamed the one who was
different among themselves. Edward was targetted for anger, criticism, and
eventual reparation for the evils present in the community. In
retrospect, Peg re-evaluates her initial decision: "You know, when I brought Edward down
here to live with
us, I really didn't think things through. I didn't think about what
could happen to him, or to us, or to the neighborhood. And now I
think, maybe it might be best if he goes back up there...because
at least there he's safe... and we'll just go back to normal." In recognizing the inflexibility of the suburban
community,
she simultaneously reveals the essence of suburban culture itself. The
absolute necessity for maintaining this "normal" state drives the people
and all component parts of suburbia in their common direction.
Film Summary | Themes and Interpretations | Female Roles |
Male Roles | Diversity Averse | Final Thoughts |