Graceland: A Look at the World Through the Eyes of Elvis

In 1957, a young man in Memphis, Tennessee wrote a check for the then astronomical sum of $100,000 and purchased a southern mansion and grounds, giving his impoverished parents the home of their own that they never could afford, and for himself, fulfilling a dream of success that he pursued with zeal despite setbacks and negativity from all sides. While this in itself would be an incredible American success story if this young man were a banker or lawyer, it is even more so when one realizes that the young man, Elvis Presley, would soon become one of the most famous entertainers the world would ever know and that this home, named Graceland by the owners from whom Presley purchased the home, would become an icon in popular culture and after Presley's untimely death at Graceland in 1977, a shrine of sorts (Honey). In this paper, we will take an imaginary journey to what many have called "The Rock & Roll White House" (Duffett) and try to gain a better understanding of what Graceland represents in the fabric of the American experience.

A Virtual Journey to Graceland

Letting the mind wander just a bit, it is relatively easy for one to take a journey of the mind to Memphis, and Graceland. Like the millions of other people who visit Graceland every year, the first observation that one will make when they approach Graceland is that it is, in the current day, much like a golden crown placed upon rat, for the surrounding neighborhood is no longer the beautiful Memphis suburb that it was when Elvis lived within the high stone walls of his beloved Graceland, but rather, it is now, with the exception of the property in the vicinity of Graceland which is owned by Elvis Presley Enterprises, a collection of weed strewn parking lots, shady looking motels and the like. It is a far cry from the average looking neighborhood which became a city in miniature in August of 1977, when nearly 100,000 people from around the world converged on Graceland in an attempt to say goodbye to Elvis, whose massive bronze coffin lie in state at home just days after he passed away so unexpectedly (Stow). All of this can be put aside, however, as this is a journey more of the imagination than of the physical.

As the long, winding driveway takes you up to the main house, you can't help but imagine the countless times that Elvis took this same route- first as a bright-eyed superstar at the peak of his powers, then as a man returning from military service, and sadly, years later, as an exhausted and frustrated artist whose own fame made him a virtual prisoner within the walls of his own home. In this context, however, it is better to think of the life and career of Elvis as a triumph that was cut short by the stark realities of mortal people whose own power turns on them, rather than as one who came up short in some way.

"Welcome to My World"

This is not just the title of one of Elvis' many hit songs (Duffett) over his decades of success and mega stardom, this is also the sentiment that you cannot help but feel when finally reaching the top of the driveway and standing before the massive front door of the white columned mansion which has been the focal point for so many people for so many years. Despite looking down upon what is today a busy highway, still called Elvis Presley Boulevard, the noise from the thousands of cars which pass in front of the home cannot be heard from this vantage point. This only adds to the surreal experience of being moments from entering what was once the sanctuary of an entertainment icon, and for some in the modern day, some sort of a demigod, whom they worship as one would do at a church or temple (Duffett).

Inside Graceland

Entering the home, the many personal items of Elvis', including furniture, family photographs and other odds and ends can be seen throughout the first floor, which features a dining room, kitchen, music room, living room, a bedroom formerly occupied by his mother, and of course, the famous Jungle Room, complete with working waterfall, giant tiki wood table, and thick shag carpeting- on the ceiling! Clearly absent from the tour of the house is the second floor, which holds Elvis' ultimate refuge, his bedroom, private bath and dressing room- where he passed away in 1977. Out of respect for his memory, the official word is that this portion of the home will never be open to the public (Honey).

As the "tour" continues, the other people on the tour are in a festive mood as they observe the house and grounds- reliving memories and trying to take in every detail of what can best be described as an extreme overload of the senses. The mood takes a decided downturn when one reaches Meditation Garden, the spot where Elvis, his parents and paternal grandmother are laid to rest (Stow) and rightly so, as Graceland, if nothing else, should be viewed as a tangible monument to a man who gave so much to others but in the final analysis was unable to be protect himself from forces that swept him up and took him away from the world that adored him.

Existential Graceland

Virtual descriptions of the physicality of Graceland could go on for many more pages, but another interesting way to consider Graceland is what is observed in eye of the mind of the visitor and not just the physical senses of seeing what is before the eye itself. For even the most casual Elvis fan, or even someone who is not a fan, this elegant home and grounds represents the exciting possibility that anyone can realize their dreams if they work hard, persevere and believe. On a deeper level, Graceland symbolizes an escape from the grind of an everyday world of mounting bills, inflation and crime to a higher lifestyle of wealth and affluence, security and freedom from the burdens that the average person has to face. Conversely, if one looks at Graceland as a sort of gilded prison, they also can derive a lesson in being careful for what one wishes for, lest they might get it. It is arguable that had Elvis been able to look into the future as he moved into Graceland in 1957, he would have made some fundamentally different decisions to escape the fate that awaited him two decades later. Whatever the case may be, Graceland can be viewed as a symbol, and icon and a parable, rolled into one.

Conclusion

This paper has taken a journey of the mind, body and soul to Graceland, a mansion in Memphis, Tennessee which was made a living thing by a man who no longer lives there but rests there eternally in body and spirit. Lastly, there is one more point to be remembered from the example of Graceland- anything is possible in the human experience.

Works Cited

Duffett, Mark. "False Faith or False Comparison? A Critique of the Religious Interpretation of Elvis Fan Culture." Popular Music and Society 26.4 (2003): 513+.

Honey, Jean N. "The Evolution of Elvis Presley Enterprises." Business Perspectives Summer 2002: 9+.

Stow, Simon. "The Colonel: The Extraordinary Story of Colonel Tom Parker and Elvis Presley." Popular Music and Society 28.4 (2005): 570+.