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If anyone could portray the perfect idea of the American Dream, what
would it be? Many aspects and goals must be considered before someone's
life or lifestyle can be deemed a succession or failure of the American
Dream. If America is seen as an Eden, or a Utopia in a character's
thoughts, then one goal of this dream has been met. Chances of such
thoughts are rare due to the fact that not everyone can have what they
want and be happy. Individually, however, someone could feel triumph no
matter how society feels together as a whole, or their thoughts about
the independent character. The final aspect, possibly the most
important, is finding a sense of optimism for the future. Even if the
goals are not being met, as long as there is will to succeed, there is
a way to succeed. There are three specific American literary works that
are questionably portraying the American Dream including both
Steinbeck's Of Mice and Men, his Grapes of Wrath, and F. Scott
Fitzgerald's Great Gatsby.
It may seem as if Steinbeck's Of Mice and Men is just a story about
two lower class friends roaming the country looking for odd jobs and
work for pay. Lennie and George are hoping for the best of this
country, yet they don't know what lies ahead, nor do they have much
confidence that the system will lead them to success. Crooks says, "I
seen hunderds of men come by on the road an' on the ranches, with their
bindles on their back an' that same damn thing in their heads. Hunderds
of them. They come, an' they quit an' go on; an' every damn one of
'em's got a little piece of land in his head. An' never a God damn one
of 'em ever gets it. Just like heaven. Everybody wants a little piece
of lan'. I read plenty of books out here. Nobody never gets to heaven,
and nobody gets no land. It's just in their head. They're all the time
talkin' about it, but it's jus' in their head" (Steinbeck, Mice 81).
Lennie and George look as if they are just trying to survive in this
society, and definitely do not see America as an Eden, crushing this
aspect of the dream. George tries to proclaim that he can triumph
individually, although he has not yet in this tale. George talks about
life without Lennie, "Whatever we ain't got, that's what you want. God
a'mighty, if I was alone I could live so easy. I could go get a job an'
work, an no trouble. No mess at all, and when the end of the month come
I could take my fifty bucks and go into town and get whatever I want"
(11-12). George obviously believes he could triumph individually, but
believing is only the first step of acheiving. Both characters,
however, seem to have their mind set on believing in their future in
America. George speaks of the American dream, "All kin's a vegetables
in the garden, and if we want a little whisky we can sell a few eggs or
something, or some milk. We'd jus' live there. We'd belong there. There
wouldn't be no more runnin' round the country and gettin' fed by a Jap
cook. No, sir, we'd have our own place where we belonged and not sleep
in no bunk house" (63). Lennie and George have always kept their mind
open to optimism for the future and this shows they do have hope and
dream about succeeding. This story shows a tough reality of acheiving
the American dream, anyone may think it possible, but with pleasure
comes pain.
Another one of Steinbeck's works, The Grapes of Wrath, basically
destroys the chance at succeding to live the American dream. The
depression was at its valley, and times were at their worst as well.
Descriptions of the economy, "And money that might have gone for wages
went for gas, for guns, for agents and spies, for blacklists, for
drilling. On the highways the people moved like ants and searched for
work, for food. And the anger began to ferment." (Steinbeck Grapes, pg
365). America was definitely not seen as an Eden, more of as a living
hell. It was displayed that the only way to succeed, was to succeed
individually, for society was at an all time low. Ma said ""Up ahead
they's a thousan' lives we might live, but when it comes, it'll on'y be
one" (158). Triumphing individually was surely not yet met, but it was
the first step to succeeding as a nation. The optimism for the future
was down to nothing due to the many obstacles such as depression, and
the dust bowl. Ma claims, "I'm learnin' one thing good ... If you're in
trouble or hurt or need-go to poor people. They're the only ones
that'll help" (483). The hope for the future relies on people helping
others of their "own kind", and sticking together. Of the three books,
Grapes of Wrath least depicts the succession of the American dream.
Finally, Fitzgerald's Great Gatsby, includes the most reason to
believe that the American dream was accomplished of all said novels.
America was socially seen as an Eden, yet economically seen as a roller
coaster. Nick spoke to Gatsby of the people "They're a rotten
crowd....You're worth the whole damn bunch put together" (Fitzgerald
162). Nick sees society as a whole being depleted of its nature, while
society sees itself as a continuous festival with no consequences. Most
of the characters see themselves as having individual triumph. Nick
comments on his character "Everyone suspects himself of at least one of
the cardinal virtues, and this is mine: I am one of the few honest
people that I have ever known" (64). This shows confidence that the
thought of individual triumph can be accomplished by a character in
this time period and setting. Things may not always be set in stone as
to what will happen in the future, but if confidence is high of good
things for the future, there is always a chance. Nick talks of Gatsby's
future "Gatsby turned out all right at the end; it is what preyed on
Gatsby, what foul dust floated in the wake of his dreams that
temporarily closed out my interest in the abortive sorrows and
short-winded elations of men" (6). Nick claims that Gatsby's optimism
for the future really helps him succeed in his dream. Gatsby and his
fellow characters from Great Gatsby have shown the most relevance to
succeeding the title of the American dream.
Even scholarly authors have trouble portraying the American dream
due to the fact that it varies within each individual mind. Viewing
America as an Eden is always much work because not everyone can get
what they want, though they live life that way, complicating others as
they go due to selfishness. Individual triumph is also very relevant,
it is only the fact that salvation lies within that can help someone
accomplish this goal. It should be known that anything a person sets
their mind on they can accomplish, within reason. Future goals and
promises will truly never be risk free when someone takes a chance to
live them out. When goals are set, that is when progress is noted, and
there is proof that hope can help someone succeed. The literary works
of John Steinbeck Of Mice and Men, Grapes of Wrath, and Fiitzgerald's
Great Gatsby all compare and contrast with the American dream's goals
and aspects to succeeding. These literary works have shown the shaping
of life, its accomplishments, and failures. The only way a dream can be
met, is if it is lived.
Bibliography
Fitzgerald, F. Scott. The Great Gatsby. New York: Charles Scribner's Sons, 1988.
Steinbeck, John. The Grapes of Wrath. New York: penguin books, 1976.
Of Mice and Men, New York: Penguin Books, 1993
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