Long’s
article on the Energy Crisis of the 1970’s reminded me of the Broken Window
Theory, namely the idea that removing pieces reminiscent of evil or immoral
actions can improve a neighborhood’s outlook. However, actions that run counter
to this theory are taken in the Lisbon’s case.
The fence that Cecilia jumped on and the diseased elm tree in the Lisbon’s yard are all commonplace in suburbia. They are symbols of happiness and homogeneity throughout suburbs in America. When Cecilia jumps on a fence, only the fence in the Lisbon yard is removed, all the other fences in their suburb remain. If fences prove to be so dangerous, why doesn’t the neighborhood remove all the fences? Likewise, they are one of the few families that lose their elm tree to disease.
The removal of the elm tree and fence accelerate the Lisbon’s emotional and physical decline. As their immediate environment becomes dissimilar to their neighbors, the family faces more and more tragedy, namely the girls’ suicides. While a picket fence and elm tree typify suburban America, the Lisbon’s gradually become removed from suburbia as they lose these symbolic objects.
The fence that Cecilia jumped on and the diseased elm tree in the Lisbon’s yard are all commonplace in suburbia. They are symbols of happiness and homogeneity throughout suburbs in America. When Cecilia jumps on a fence, only the fence in the Lisbon yard is removed, all the other fences in their suburb remain. If fences prove to be so dangerous, why doesn’t the neighborhood remove all the fences? Likewise, they are one of the few families that lose their elm tree to disease.
The removal of the elm tree and fence accelerate the Lisbon’s emotional and physical decline. As their immediate environment becomes dissimilar to their neighbors, the family faces more and more tragedy, namely the girls’ suicides. While a picket fence and elm tree typify suburban America, the Lisbon’s gradually become removed from suburbia as they lose these symbolic objects.
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