Content Warning: This section of the guide describes mental health conditions, specifically connected to war trauma.

The Man in the Gray Flannel Suit explores the contours of the American Dream, a belief that anyone can succeed in America through hard work and dedication, and that each generation should expect greater material success and comfort than the last. Tom Rath is a protagonist whose relationship to the American Dream has always been fraught. He was born into a wealthy family whose fortunes have since diminished. He served his country during World War II, and since returning, has worked full time to support his growing family. He has a small house in suburbia, a wife, children, and a career, but this middle-class life is a far cry from the opulence he was born into, and as his bills pile up he feels himself in danger of losing even the modest comfort he has achieved. The vague memory of generational wealth makes his hard work and its modest rewards feel empty and futile.

As he struggles to get ahead, Tom becomes increasingly disillusioned. Westport, Connecticut is an affluent coastal community, and in many ways Tom’s life there is one of enormous privilege, but his frame of reference is local—he compares himself not to the country as a whole but to the more affluent people around him.