Living in a black and white world where all community members are equal, each citizen understands there role in the safety and security of their utopia. Pleasantville is a prime example of what the perfect suburban environment would look and feel like. A "peaceful" world has been accomplished where no crime occurs and everyone is happy consistently. Later in the movie, once the people and objects start to take on color, represents my attitude on suburbanism. Living within a suburb does present several advantages for members of the community. The overall sense of being part of a whole is a real drive for people to move out to a suburban development. But, at what point in the transitional process does the new residence of the area sign over their individuality. The rules of this type of community forces a person to suppress individual thought in presenting themselves to the public. These communities flaunt that this home could be your dream home and it will be everything you ever need in a home with one hand, and in the other they hold the book of three floor plans and the six different carpet types you can choose from with the most desirable raising the cost by 20%. How has this presented you with any chance of creating a lighting situation in a living room that you dreamed of since you were six? How could this book possible grant you the reading nook you need in order to fall asleep at night after a hectic day at work? These "dream" homes have been placed before a new resident to notify that person what they need to live. How they shall wall around "their" home and how a person relates to the outside environment. How is a person suppose to accept the limitations that are set forth for suburban living without losing their personal sense of being?
Image Provided By: "Pleasantville." Photo. mediacircus.com Jan. 1998. 11 Jan. 2012 http://www.mediacircus.net/pleasantville.html >
Laura, in response to your thoughtful post, I agree that the creation of "cookie cutter" suburban homes do not allow a person to express their idea of their dreamed-of, ideal home. The neighborhoods have a sense of "take it or leave it" style, and if you take it, you have a lifestyle that appears almost identical to your neighbors. I think when a family moves into a suburban neighborhood they are willing to leave their former ideas to take what is being offered, because they don't have a choice without building new, choosing a different location or expanding their budget. I agree it is hard for them not to lose their personal sense of being when they accept the limitations of suburbia-but I am still thinking about how your question can be answered... Hopefully someone else has some intriguing thoughts to add.
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