Analysis of "Looking for Work"
...t eats dinner together without any obscenities or absurdities. He compares his family to that of the Cleavers.’ “Whereas the Beaver’s family enjoyed dessert in dishes at the table, our mom sent us outside, and more often than not I went into the alley to peek over the neighbor’s fences and spy out fruit, apricots or peaches.” Gary believes that his family can overcome racism if they would imitate the families on television. If his family would try harder to act as they do on “Father Knows Best” they’ll be able to form a “homogeneous whole” and will no longer stand out or be mistreated by white society. His attempt to persuade his family is evident when he asked his siblings to wear shoes to the dinner table. Gary is convinced that by improving their appearance, “white people would like us more.” The economical success of the families on television is another major factor in Gary’s obsession with a perfect lifestyle. He felt that his family needed to work harder to achieve the social status of those on television. On TV, they always had money to do what they wanted. They ate steaks and drank lemonade in their beautiful homes. Gary felt that working hard guaranteed success:, and the sooner he could get started the b...