"- and the essence..." American Theme Post

" and the essence of it was that they had all come very close to the edge of something... and some of the older people had breathed this in and turned terrified and helpless for life, but they, the young, they with their new babies and their new husbands, were on their way up and never would the bottom fall out again. The government in Washington was like a net set up not ten feet below them, to save them." - page 45 of them by Joyce Carol Oates

A lot of the American population, even today, are unaware of global conflicts and discrepancies within the government. They only concern themselves with the things that happen with themselves and let others do the rest. They trust in their government to save them, should they ever need saving. Trust in the government to make their lives easier, yet also blaming them when things go bad. This is especially true of young America, the bright, promising and "independent" youth.

The older generations are aware of the hardships life brings, many "terrified and hopeless" in the life they live. They are constantly on edge, wary of the things that surround them, suspicious of the people unknown to them.

The young, in contrast, are happy and anxious for their freedom. They latch onto whatever promises them happiness, they forget what it was like for their parents, knowing that they will be different. Social climbers, constantly trying to move up in the world. Doing what they can to be better than the rest, more successful.

This sense of excitement and hopefulness for the future is a constant feeling in the young of the American population. They have yet to taste the real troubles of life, its unfairness and its cruelty, and they go at life with a flair for hope. They take themselves away from their families, away from their past and lead new lives.