The American Gothic Lifestyle

By: Ronald Magill

American Gothic, painted by American artist Grant Wood is one of the most famous paintings in the world. He was born and raised in rural Iowa, a place known for its kind men and women, hardened by the tough life of farming. Growing up around this lifestyle and climate was one of the strongest influences that went into his painting.

In the painting, the man dressed in blue denim overalls and a black sport coat is shown holding a pitchfork, demonstrating he is the one who does the physical labor around the farm. Having to do the physical labor requires the man to leave the safety of his home. He has to face his fears outside of the home, where he is more vulnerable and open. The woman however, is seen wearing an apron. Her “sphere” is inside the home, where she is subject to less physically demanding work. This smaller sphere of influence means she has a limited amount of power.In this traditional conservative christian marriage, the man does most of the real work so he has more control than the woman.

Considering the fact that the man is in the foreground of the painting, and his wife is behind him, symbolizes his power and control. He is the more important figure, since he is the larger more distinctive image. The woman is in the background giving her less importance than the man. Women are seen as secondary to men, being subject to fewer amounts of freedoms and power.

If you look at the woman closely, it can be seen that she is timid and is almost fearful of the man. She has an attitude of humility that she has to constantly keep in check so as not to do anything out of her boundaries. She doesn’t look the man, or the audience, in the eye almost with the knowledge that she is inferior.

Men are represented to be evil in the eyes of women. They make women feel lesser about themselves, by keeping a sense of superiority over them. The man is shown with a pitchfork, an item synonymous with the devil. His wife is placed in front of the house, such that the church-reminiscient window is in sight. This is a symbol to show how women are of a more pure lifestyle. The fact that he is “evil” and works outside the house, is an important ideal. The windows of the house are painted and designed with a style know as Gothic, which was a very common design found in churches. This gives the allusion of the fact that staying in the house allows the woman to escape the man’s evil lifestyle.

Men have always been identified as very dominant people. It has been such a powerful fact throughout our society, that it became a prime influence for art. The American Gothic portrait is a great example of the roles men and women played in life. In todays' society however, the gender roles have flipped. Women have started picking up pitchforks, while men are stepping into the sanctity of the house. Men and women now have the choice to partake in whichever jobs they find most appealing.