The American Dream in American Literature
Essay Preview: The American Dream in American Literature
Report this essay
The American Dream in American Literature
Working hard is the key to success. This struggle for success is most commonly called the “American Dream.” The aspect of the American Dream has been around forever and is often the underlying theme in many pieces of American literature. The theme of the American is especially presented in Of Mice and Men written by John Steinbeck, The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald, Two Kinds writer by Amy Tan, and in “Sophistication” by Sherwood Anderson.
The theme of the American Dream is presented in Of Mice and Men. The theme is particularly expressed through and around the characters of George and Lennie. Both of these characters have a belief, a dream of owning their own little place to call their own, or as George would say “Were gonna have a little place and a couple of acres an some cows and some pigs”(Steinbeck,14) This dream is mostly expressed through Lennie but George is the one who supports Lennie. Lennie is the most dedicated to the dream. This dedication is shown when he said “An live off the fatta the lan.”(Steinbeck,14) This proven b critics like Kevin Attell who said “This is the kind of life that George and Lennie dream of living.”(Attell)
Also, the theme of the American Dream is presented in Of Mice and Men through the character of Candy. Candy is an old farm hand who is becoming of not much use around the farm anymore. Candy knows that desperate times call for desperate measures so he goes in on George and Lennies plan to buy a little farm. This is shown when candy says “Itll be our own place.”(Steinbeck,60) Candy shows great spirit throughout the book and really shows off the good aspects of the American Dream. It is only until the end of the book until the plan to go away starts to be questioned. He starts saying questions like “You an me can get that little place cannot
we, George?”(Steinbeck,94) This denial was once again recognized my Kevin Attell, who said “George and Lennies dream is specifically necessitated by and responds to the limitations played on their lives.”(Attell) By using Candy as a character striving for the American Dream, the fact that the dream is attainable to all is presented.
Furthermore, through the character of Curleys wife, the theme of the Dream is presented. The fact that Curleys wife hates her life makes a huge contrast between her bad life and the possibilities associated with the American Dream. This contrast is shown in the line “Coulda been in the movies an had nice clothes.”(Steinbeck,89) Curleys wife is presents the epitome of a person striving for the American Dream. She often says things like “I coulda made something of myself….maybe I will yet.”(Steinbeck,88) By Steinbeck using this character, he intended to show the difference between a “fake” yearning for the dream and a true whole-hearted desire for it. Curleys wife would give anything to be successful in the future. This view is also seen by Kevin Attell who said ” To be sure, it is about dreaming of the future…”(Attell) The opinion from this critic show that this opinion or view is also seen by others who read this book.
In perspective, The Great Gatsby written by F. Scott Fitzgerald also has many examples of the American Dream. The main character, Gatsby, shows by far the most want for something better in his life. Gatsby often shows this yearning. For example, when he said “You should live in California,” he was inferring that a better life awaits in California.(Fitzgerald,18) Growing up, Gatsby had all that he needed, but from an early age he showed signs of wanting more in life. As he expressed this hi s father would remind him that he was very fortunate by saying “Just remember that all of the people in the world havent had all of the advantages that youve had.”(Fitzgerald,5) critics have also seemed to have seen the dream presented in Fitzgeralds writing. In particular, Kenneth Eble has seen in it, saying “The American Dream comes together in The Great Gatsby.”(Eble)
Also, the character of Daisy is and example of the American Dream. This is shown by Daisy yearning for something better in her life. This is shown when she says “Sophisticated, God Im so sophisticated.”(Fitzgerald,22) Daisys dream is to move to Hollywood and become a famous movie star. Daisy also recognizes the other characters dreams when she said “Gatsby bought that house so that he would be just across the bay.”(Fitzgerald,83) She recognizes this in the book and this is what brings Daisy and Gatsby together by the end of the book. This recognition of the dream is due to the big effect that it has on Nick, the narrator of the story. Without this influence, many themes of the dream in the book would not be expressed so deeply. Kenneth Eble realized this also when he said so strong is Nicks reaction to the dream.”(Eble) This is how the dream is expressed through the character of Daisy.
Fitzgerald also uses the characters of Tom and Nick to present the dream. Toms dream is corrupt is still an adequate dream none-the-less. Nick is fine with himself unlike Tom. Nick often realizes other peoples dreams in the novel and points them out. He does this once by saying “Thats where all his money comes from(bootlegging).”(Fitzgerald,57) When Nick says this he is referring to Gatsby becoming rich off bootlegging, of the illegal selling of alcohol due to prohibition. Nick also refers to Gatsby as a rich man, saying “It was Gatsbys mansion.”(Fitzgerald.9) Tom, on the other hand, goes strictly for money and good looks. He married Daisy for her good looks after he had already