"Revolutionary Road," a novel by Richard Yates, explores the lives of Frank and April Wheeler, a seemingly ideal couple living in suburban America during the 1950s. Despite their outward appearance of success, they grapple with deep dissatisfaction and unfulfilled dreams, reflecting the broader societal pressures of the time. The Wheelers are caught in a struggle between the pursuit of personal aspirations and the constraints of conventional suburban life.
The story delves into themes of disillusionment, identity, and the pursuit of happiness, as both Frank and April confront their own failures and the emptiness of their lives. April's desire to escape to Paris embodies a quest for authenticity and meaning, while Frank's growing resentment towards suburban conformity leads to tension between them. Their relationship becomes increasingly fraught as they wrestle with their ambitions and disappointments.