Analysis of Modern Concepts in "Self in 1958" by Anne Sexton

The 1950's were a time when conformity was popular, sameness was fashionable, and self-expression was discouraged. The new generation of cookie cutter Americans bought mass-produced clothing from catalogues and at chain department stores. New suburban houses looked nearly identical to each other. Kitchens were full of advertised all-electric appliances designed to ease the burden of American housewives' chores around the home. Television spread the image of an all-American family around the country faster than ever …

…had achieved half of it. Basically, "Self in 1958" describes the commercialization, conformity, and insignificance of the individual in modern America. Thoughts, feelings, and emotions of the "average" American are overlooked, and people are often looked upon by higher members of society as toys with which they may promote themselves on the social ladder, with whose minds they can play with and mold to believe whatever they like, and whose personal opinions are moot and insignificant.