Philip K. Dick - The Chromium Fence

While reading “The Chromium Fence” I couldn't help but think about how the rivalry between the Purists and Naturalists reflects the atmosphere between the Democratic and Republican political parties in the U.S. The Purists represent city dwelling people who are overly concerned with appearances, while the Naturalists prefer an old world way of life not centered on cleanliness. Both groups propagate stereotypes about the other and want to push their agenda onto the whole population. When watching the news it sometimes seems that American politics is headed down a similar path. The ideological roots of both parties seem to become more opposite by the day with less willingness to compromise on both sides. Perhaps Philip K. Dick had similar feelings about politics in America or worldwide when he wrote this story. “The Chromium Fence” offers warning of what could happen if we are completely unwilling to bend to wants and beliefs of others in order to peacefully coexist. Don Walsh is different from everyone else in his society because he has intermediate political views. People accuse him of being indecisive and disloyal when in actuality his refusal to choose to be a Naturalist or Purist is the very foundation of his beliefs.