Introduction
In the gripping short tale “Sea Oak” by George Saunders, the author explores the themes of social disparity and the celebration of violence to highlight the structural inequities present in American culture. Saunders expertly illustrates the vast differences between the affluent and the impoverished via vivid descriptions and thought-provoking storytelling, illuminating the mutually reinforcing nature of poverty and violence in society. Characters and locations in the novel work as potent symbols that draw attention to the struggles experienced by the underprivileged and the monetization of violence as a sort of entertainment for the rich (Klassen 13). Saunders expertly weaves these ideas together to challenge readers to think critically about the systemic injustices that support socioeconomic gaps and to support a more inclusive and fair society.
The Divide Between Rich vs. Poor in Sea Oak
Characters
George Saunders powerfully depicts the social gap between the wealthy and the poor in “Sea Oak,” bringing to light the systematic injustices pervasive in American culture. Aunt Bernie lived in the run-down Sea Oak housing development, a potent image of working-class poverty and restricted options. The text presents this socioeconomic divide when the narrator describes Sea Oak, stating, “At least we got a home,” Aunt Bernie says. “And at least none of them bullets hit nobody.” (Saunders 305). This evocative description accentuates the physical decay and neglect experienced by the residents, further accentuating the stark disparity between those who have financial stability and those who do not.
The narrative also introduces Min, the narrator’s cousin who works at Joysticks, an upscale theme restaurant. As he is compelled to put on a costume and entertain rich clients who revel in a distant fantasy world and are unaware of the challenges experienced by the working class, Min’s employment is a sharp reminder of the economic imbalance. The text highlights this disparity: “These customers must find it reassuring to know that even in America’s new theme restaurants, some minimum-wage flunky is always getting stabbed in the parking lot” (Saunders, 204). This quote reflects the commodification of violence as a form of entertainment for the privileged, emphasizing the stark detachment of the wealthy from the harsh realities and challenges faced by those with limited financial means.
Settings
Saunders exposes the pervasive socioeconomic gap in American culture by highlighting the extreme disparity in the possibilities, experiences, and living circumstances of the affluent and the poor in these depictions. The deteriorated condition of Sea Oak and the mistreatment of employees like Min at Joysticks highlight the structural basis of inequality and the constrained opportunities for upward mobility for the working class. These representations highlight the difficulties experienced by those trying to escape the cycle of poverty and emphasize the pressing need to confront and eliminate the socioeconomic inequalities that continue to exist in America.
Violence in Sea Oak
The narrative presents a world where people from various social origins use violence for emancipation and escape. The “How My Child Died Violently” reality program illustrates this violent society. In this program, distraught parents tell the audience about the horrifying ways their children died. Such a performance indicates that violence has been desensitized and normalized within the society depicted in the narrative, suggesting that it has become hideous entertainment.
This quote highlights violence: “Sea Oak’s not safe. There’s an ad hoc crack house in the laundry room, and last week Min found some brass knuckles in the kiddie pool” (Saunders 97). This quote exposes the extent to which the culture of violence permeates society, suggesting that it has become ingrained even in the youngest members of the population. This indicates that the culture of violence has become deeply ingrained and is not limited to specific areas or segments of society (Dodd 77). It illustrates how violence has infiltrated even the most seemingly innocent and safe spaces, such as a laundry room or a kiddie pool.
The Relationship Between Poverty and Violence
In “Sea Oak,” George Saunders deftly combines the themes of socioeconomic disparity and violent glorification to illuminate the cyclical link between poverty and violence in American culture. The plot of the novel centers around the reappearance of the narrator’s deceased aunt, Aunt Bernie, who stands in for the underprivileged sections of society’s desire for a more satisfying existence. The supernatural resurrected Aunt Bernie represents the yearning for a better life, stressing the desires of financially less fortunate individuals. But the plot darkens as Aunt Bernie changes into a vicious, zombie-like entity. This change serves as a critique of the cyclical relationship between poverty and violence, arguing that those who are stuck in it frequently have few options for personal development and empowerment.
As Aunt Bernie says, “Some people get everything, and I got nothing,” she says. “Why? Why did that happen?” (Saunders). This quote encapsulates the entwined nature of socioeconomic disadvantage and the perpetuation of violence, highlighting the challenges faced by individuals trapped in this cycle. It highlights the deeply ingrained disparities in society, where some individuals seem to have access to abundant resources and opportunities while others struggle to escape poverty and violence. The quote encapsulates the link between socioeconomic disadvantage and the perpetuation of violence, emphasizing the challenges those trapped in this destructive cycle face.
Conclusion
George Saunders’ “Sea Oak” examines American society’s social gap and the adoration of violence. Saunders highlights the underlying inequities in society by using his stories to expose the cyclical nature of poverty and violence. The story contrasts the detachedness and indulgence in the imagination of the rich with the physical degradation and neglect endured by the lower class. The depiction of Aunt Bernie’s development into a violent character highlights the critique of the relationship between poverty and violence while highlighting the few alternatives and possibilities available to individuals who are disenfranchised due to their socioeconomic condition. Saunders effectively highlights how social inequality and the glorification of violence are related by merging these two issues.
Works Cited
Dodd, Johnny. “On the Front Lines of Domestic Violence in America ‘It’s a Pandemic Within a Pandemic.’” People, vol. 95, no. 2. 2021, pp. 74–77.
Klassen, Jeff. “Social Issues: Income Inequality.” Salem Press Encyclopedia, 2021, pp. 10-15.
Saunders, George. Sea Oak. In Pastoralia. New York: Riverhead Books, 2001, pp. 91–125.