The Last American Man

Gilbert believes that Eustace is the “last American Man” for several reasons. Eustace is the last man who she perceives to go out and do things that man used to do in the old days when men were first coming over to America before the advancement of technology began. She thinks that he represents something that we have lost. He has the desire to do everything himself like cook, make clothes, find food, and build a shelter. He makes his home where wherever he is traveling. He does not rely on anything but himself. Eustace also has the drive to do crazy adventures like ride horseback all the way across America (what the cowboys used to do) and to hike the Appalachian Mountains. Whenever anyone tried to imitate or try to do the things Eustace did, they failed and could not do it. Also, everyone now lives their lives in boxes, while he lives his life in circles. Society is always in buildings using computers or machines to do their work. Everything is confined and there are limits. They rely upon others to build their houses, find food, or to provide electricity so they can see at night. In Eustace’s life of circles, he is not confined. He has no limits and he does everything for himself and he is successful at it. Nowadays, most people do not have the desire to do this because they are content with their life.