In George Saunders “The Semplica Girl Diaries,” he wanted to use these diaries in his character’s journal to be read by future generations to show what people went through during the past time. He was using his platform to allow people to learn from previous people’s struggles and decision making that put them in this bad place. Saunders also wants to show that you will always have struggles in life and nothing will always be easy to get through.
Exciting to think how in one year, at a rate of one page/day, will have written 365 pages, and what a picture of life and times then available for kids & grandkids, even greatgrandkids, whoever, all are welcome (!) to see how life really is/was now. (109)
He was also trying to show that when people were in the times of struggle with debt that they would do anything to keep their children happy with life. They would do this to motivate their kids to not do what they had made the mistake of doing. They made this happen by doing whatever they needed in order to get them things, like a present that they really want or throwing them a good birthday party. The parents would always take the time to comfort their kids, when they would be hearing what was being said between parents, as he was trying to make it so that the children wouldn’t be worrying about what was happening.
However, do not want to break Lilly’s heart or harshly remind her of our limitations. (123)
It’s interesting to me that, because of his desire to shelter his children from the reality of the family’s financial troubles, the narrator never really showed similar sympathy towards the Semplica Girls; they were also daughters, all doing what they could to help their families escape poverty. This definitely goes to show how quickly wealth can change a person’s attitude; because of his new status, the narrator does not see the Semplica Girls as humans–only decorations that he can use to flaunt his newfound wealth.
I thought it was really interesting that they thought about paying off their credit card debt, but instead decided to do something good for their daughter’s birthday. Keeping their children happy was their main priority and it really showed.
I think it really came down to putting the child and their happiness first. I know some families who have to make this decision and they chose to pay their debt down instead of doing something for their child’s birthday and it takes a toll on the child. I also thought it was interesting that they chose not to pay their debt and to do something for their child, however I have seen it on the other side and it almost always affects the child when they know the financial troubles.