Those who succumb to societal pressure live unhappily, and they are ultimately controlled by it. In the short story “Dinner for Two”, the author uses literary devices, and takes advantage of syntax to demonstrate how societal pressure can control and dictate the lives of those who succumb to it. Throughout the story, there is a constant idea that Jennifer is unhappy with her life. Had she tried to live a life beyond what society expected them to live like, they would be a lot more happy. “Like a little tin soldier, marching to the beat of the drum in her head, wound like the clock on the wall of the kitchen, ticking back and forth as it counted down to the happy moment when her Gerald would return home.”(Khraishi 4) The author uses a literary device known as a simile; …show more content…
Demonstrating how monotonous and trapped Jennifer feels with her life. This demonstrates the unhappy living, and sense of control over their lives. Jennifer feels that she cannot change her life, as it has been completely taken over, which is what leads her to take her own life. By pairing the simile of the tin soldier, with Jennifer feeling as she cannot change her life, the author demonstrates the unhappy lifestyle and control over the lives of those who succumb to societal pressure. Rather than try to change her life or get help, Jennifer feels that she has lost control of her life, to the point where she feels that committing suicide is the only way she can be set free from the situation she is in. Another example of the control societal pressure has over Jennifer and Gerald’s lives is demonstrated through the usage of italics. When Jenny is talking about routine, and its importance, the author italicized the word “always” to emphasize on the point that routine always takes hold in the Jenison household. “Her appearance was perfect, her house smelled of cooked food, and not a thing was out of