Edward Scissorhands: Commentary on the Social Faults on the American Suburban Environment

People who live in the suburbs often feel isolated and trapped in their homes and find ways to preoccupy themselves to pass the time. The movie Edward Scissorhands directed by Tim Burton shows several examples of how people live in the suburbs whether they feel isolated, stressed, or try to find ways to spice up their lives. Many view socializing difficult, but it is important to realize people brought together by social gatherings can be relaxing and enjoyable. Edward Scissorhands can be interpreted as commentary on the social faults of the American suburban environment. The suburbs in America can be more united instead of an environment where people hide in their homes.

Most housewives that live in the suburbs find themselves bored, isolated, and alone when their husbands are off at work. In the film, Joyce mentions how housewives get lonely in their homes to the repairman who is fixing her dishwasher. This shows how she feels unfulfilled in her marriage as well because her husband is gone all the time and she is seen flirting with the repairman. Women could only focus on cleaning the house, making dinner when the husband came home and it was an ongoing routine in the film. Most families only owned one car which would be used mainly for the man of the family because he had to work and bring money so that the family may function and prosper. The housewives normally did not own a car, so they often felt trapped. In the reading “The Problem of Place in America” by Ray Oldenburg he poses similar examples of living in suburbia “By the 1960s, a picture had emerged of the suburban housewife as bored, isolated, and preoccupied with material things. The suburban wife without a car to escape in epitomized the experience of being alone ...

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...epicted in the movie when the community did not help Edward adjust with his surroundings and new life.

This movie shows us the problems of suburban environments. The people who live in the suburb must find a solution to these problems, especially since they are still relevant today in some places. People who live in the suburbs should try to socialize with other people to avoid loneliness. It is also rare to make friends at first. It is important to be understanding of differences amongst our neighbors. In order to keep these relationships, we must nurture them like Edward often did. We must realize that living in the suburbs in America can be great as long as we try to socialize and live in harmony with others. The film depicted good examples of flaws in the suburban environment and it’s people. It is important to make America a friendlier environment to live in.