“The Semplica Girl Diaries” by George Saunders is an epistolary story in which we learn about a middle-class father who struggles to keep his family happy as well as keeping the appearance of a wealthy family. The father throughout the story is a pitiful character whom the reader can sympathize with, since he is a character with redeeming qualities such as love for his family and a sense of self awareness. Hence, why the story seems to convey perfectly the themes of entitlement and ignorance.
Once the father bought the SGs for the family instead of clearing his debt, the reader sees where his priorities lie. Although it is clear that the father wants wealth and prestige, it seems like he wants the easy way towards these ideals. He does not pay the debts he owes but instead buys lavish gifts for his daughter Lilly, as well as buying the SGs to keep the appearance of wealth. Additionally, this allows for the reader to feel a connection with the father because his gifts to his daughter are out of genuine love and care, which allows for the reader to see the father in a better light. Furthermore, the father also is a perfect representation of people satisfied with the world. He is not a character who questions norms but follows them. He is the type of person who is content with how life is and does not want to change it. However, this also makes the father a realist. He is possibly aware that the ways in which the SGs live are not humane, but it is their way of life and their needs are met, allowing them to live a better life than they previously lived.
Hence, while I believe that the little girl Eva is correct in her stance, she is also naïve to the way in which the world works. By setting these woman free, Eva has condemned them to a life of running, as well as leaving her family in a rough position financially. Additionally, there does not seem to be many people who agree with her sentiment that owning SGs is wrong; therefore, there would not be many people willing to risk their wealth for the safety of the SGs. This also emphasizes how their father, although not right in having an SG, is simply living by the confines of his society. He has become unaware of the immorality of having an SG since it has been entrenched in his mind that SGs are a normal part of life. That’s why it is so easy for the father to dismiss Eva and her dislike of these ‘decorations’ because to his knowledge they are a normal part of life, which also has wealth attached to its usage.
I am glad that you pointed out Eva’s naivety. Though she does what is considered to be the right thing, it has unseen consequences that affect both her and her family. However, these consequences do come at an expense and a risk that the narrator takes, and ultimately the problems that his family experience come from his decisions.