The Shubert grandparents. No comfort there. He in uniform, she in a ball gown, displaying absurd self-satisfaction. They had got what they wanted, Sophia supposed, and had only contempt for those not so conniving or so lucky.
In Alice Munro's "Too Much Happiness," the Shubert grandparents represent a contrasting perspective on success and fulfillment. The imagery of the grandfather in uniform and the grandmother in a glamorous ball gown reveals a facade of happiness that conceals their disdain for others. Sophia sees their overt self-satisfaction as an indication of their moral shortcomings, suggesting that their achievements came at the expense of empathy and integrity.
This observation serves as a critique of societal values that prioritize ambition and status over genuine connection. The grandparents' contempt for those who haven't achieved similar success highlights a pervasive sense of superiority among the fortunate. Sophia's realization points to the emptiness of their accomplishments, exposing the hollow nature of a life lived solely for personal gain without regard for others.
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All the things you can talk about in anyone's work are the things that are least important.
Race of Cain, ascend to heaven, And cast God down upon the earth!
