Figurative Language In John Cheever's The County Husband

John Cheever, a novelist and short story author, wrote “The County Husband” in 1954. The author tells the story of how Francis Weed is not satisfied with his life. He comes to realize that his life makes him feel very “trapped” or complacent in a standard life that will never change with his life brief rebellion against the unexciting norms of his wealthy, dull community. Francis is frustrated and unsatisfied with his life. He feels as if something is missing. Without any idea of it, that something in his family and in his life is wanting. Francis is not happy with his marriage and wants something else.
In passage 15-20, Francis soon experiences some excitement into his life through an encounter with the babysitter. Francis and his wife went out for the night and we they got home, Francis was out in the car waiting to take the normal babysitter home, but he got a surprised when the young

babysitter walked out. Francis starts to describe her beauty and perfections and how she has a look that he could love. Throughout the passage, Francis uses the word young and beautiful a couple of times. “Now, the world is full of beautiful young girls, but Francis saw here the difference between beauty and perfection” (pg. 571). He uses these words to describe his feelings for her and he does not question himself and say no this is wrong. It’s like he forgets he has a wife and a family and he is satisfied with being with the babysitter.
The figurative language that was used is imagery.

An example being, “… and he experienced in his consciousness that moment when music breaks glass, and felt a pang of recognition as strange, deep and wonderful as anything in his life” (pg. 571). Reading that sentence a vivid image of glass breaking enters the mind. The sentences are a mix between short and long sentences. They are easy to understand, you can tell that he is trying to express his feeling for this girl. When Francis explains her beauty into details, the sentences get longer, but when he is just calling her beautiful, his sentences are shorter. The passage reveals that Francis likes the young babysitter and that he might not be happy with his marriage. Throughout the story, Francis is trying to figure out his feelings for the babysitter. He kisses her and gets her a bracelet, but never gives it to her. When he finds out she is engaged, Francis is frustrated and annoyed, but in the end when Francis’s wife is trying to leave him, Francis begs his wife to stay. Francis was still in love with his wife

apparently.
The passage is clearly stating that Francis is not pleased with his wife. Francis is kissing the babysitter and trying to give her jewelry. He fantasies about living in Paris with her. One question that sticks out to me is Francis frustrated with his marriage and wanting to start over with the babysitter? However, in the end, Francis wants to be with his wife.