Representation and Discourses of the American Dream in Film

Representation and Discourses of the American Dream in Film Introduction An individual’s achievement is dependent on the society, and how favorable his or her environment is to offer the much-needed support. Of course, success requires a particular breeding ground for it to materialize, without which it will be difficult for those who pursue it to have its taste. Fundamentally, achievement of the American dream is not by chance but, rather, through hard work, independence, courage, determination, creativity and diligence. It does not come by sudden flight, but by a deliberate decision to beat all odds to achieve one’s endeavors. The American Dream is a phrase first coined in 1931 by James Truslow Adams, in his bestseller, ‘The Epic of America’. The American dream is “that dream of a land in which life should be better, richer, and fuller for everyone, providing an opportunity for each, according to ability or achievement”(Truslow). People have varying opinions on what they believe is an achievement of the American dream. Certain individuals believe that becoming rich is an achievement whereas others believe in equality and fairness in the society. Regardless, these versions depend on the qualities stated to accomplish the American dream. This paper aims at conferring the American Dream by analyzing films which portray the accomplishment of the dream as well as the factors that make it difficult for individuals to achieve their version of the American Dream. It also seeks to discourse whether the stars pursued their American dreams and whether they succeeded or failed. Overview of the American Dream The American dream can be considered to be a notion which describes the ability of every individual, regardless of their social class or race, to be successful in a society that supports their success. The American Dream is “the faith that an individual can attain success and virtue through strenuous effort” (Hochschild, 1995). It can be deliberated as a concept for every individual to achieve success and virtue through persistent determination. The American dream is also highly dependent on the government, since it has the responsibility to enforce laws which support a society with equal opportunities, fairness and liberty. This means that apart from having the qualities of an individual who can achieve the American Dream, the government should also ensure that its people have economic and political freedom together with laws that protect their rights equally. “Is the American Dream a reality only questioned by those unwilling or unable to achieve it? What is the good life and how is it particularly American?” (Bush & Bush, 2015). The American Dream addresses the applicability of the U.S. nation and empire considering the origins and development based on the instituting doctrines of belonging and chauvinism, and their subsisted certainty. Analysis of Movies that Portray the American Dream The Pursuit of Happyness The film, The Pursuit of Happyness, by Chris Gardner dwells around his life story as a homeless single father struggling to raise his son in San Francisco. Gardner goes through multiple hardships starting from having never gone to college, being homeless, divorce with his first wife Sherry, the loss of all his investments in medical equipment, unemployment, eviction, and, eventually, homelessness. Despite his hardships, Gardner manages to get a job at a brokerage firm, and ultimately starts his own company. He struggles to hold back his tears and waits to embrace his son knowing that everything was going to be alright. Regardless of the challenges that Gardner faced, hard work and determination enabled the single father to achieve his goals, that is, pursue the American Dream. Gardner’s pursuit of the American Dream Gardner, being homeless for a while, grew up in foster care. To become astoundingly prosperous, he found the obstinacy, forte of personality, and aptitude within himself to pursue a good life. Growing up in poverty, he built a reputation which enabled him become a motivational speaker. As a single parent, he strived to ensure that his son grew up in an innocuous or safe, loving home. His determination and persistence to pursue the American Dream is due to his ability to find a position which was suitable or appropriate for him to make the money which he hankered or craved for. Gardner’s Characteristics that led to achievement From the start of the movie, Chris was determined to pursue the American dream. After putting much thought into it, Chris decided to let go of his career as a physician and ventured into selling medical equipment instead. Gardner displays courage when he chose to venture into a business that he had no experience in and more so, a business that his wife would not approve of. This is a move that is not taken by many; only those willing to become better in life take such big strides towards achievement. He also showed much creativity by designing portable bone density scanners which were better that X-Rays. However, Gardner did not sell as many equipment as intended. The low sales led to bankruptcy and unemployment. Gardner’s ability to raise his child on his own despite his hardships was a clear portrayal of independence. As a result, he vowed to ensure that his son would grow up in a safe and loving home. Gardner exhibits determination in the movie by rising up from an unexpected path of brokerage. Eventually, his persistence enabled him to secure a job at the firm and start his own company in the long run. The Great Gatsby The Great Gatsby is a film narrated by Nick Carraway, a young man with ambitions of building his fortune as a bond salesman. Nick’s neighbor, Gatsby, is a wealthy individual who holds weekly parties at his huge mansion with the aim of attracting one special guest, Daisy Buchanan (Fitzgerald, 13). Jay Gatsby, born James Gatz, was raised in a poor homestead. He changed his name to Jay Gatsby at the age of seventeen, the same time he met Dan Cody. Gatsby managed to interact with Dan Cody, his mentor, who taught him valuable lessons on how to change his current situation. Gatsby did not take what he had been told for granted and that is how he came to be the successful individual he was. He had grown into a man by the time of his mentor’s death. He also had defined the individual he would become, an entrepreneur. Gatsby was in love with Daisy Buchanan, Nick’s cousin, in the past while he was still in the army. However, it was impossible for them to be together since Gatsby was unable to support her. Conversely, this did not deter Gatsby from winning his love back. He garnered wealth with the intentions of winning Daisy back. Nonetheless, Daisy got married to a rich and influential man, Tom Buchanan, in Long Island. Tom and Daisy led privileged lives. Gatsby loved throwing parties and this served as an opportunity for him to meet Daisy once more. He threw weekly parties with the intent of impressing Daisy but to no avail. The arrival of Nick to West Egg however, made it possible for Gatsby to reunite with Daisy once again even though it would not last. Characteristics of Jay Gatsby From the movie, Gatsby displayed determination by holding the weekly parties to attract Daisy even though most of them were futile attempts. Additionally, through hard work, Gatsby was able to change his situation from being poor to accumulating vast wealth. Gatsby exhibited persistence in learning from Cody, until his (Cody’s) death, how to grow financially. Another characteristic demonstrated by Gatsby in the film is courage. He showed courage by confronting Daisy’s husband, Tom, on several occasions in the movie. An example is when Gatsby told Tom that Daisy will leave him and that she has never loved him. Gatsby also shows creativity in the film. Knowing that Daisy loved parties and other fun activities, Gatsby used this as an opportunity to meet Daisy while knowing that she would be attracted to his weekly parties. Both Gardner and Gatsby share similar characteristics which led to their success in the long run. They were determined, hardworking, independent, diligent and creative. Although they both pursued different goals, they had similar traits which made them successful in what they did. Factors that can negatively influence an individual’s achievement of the American Dream Social Class Social difference is one of the major barriers that influence an individual’s achievement of the American dream. These differences affect people’s view of their opportunities in the society. It is a reality that there are those who are privileged than other in terms of economic endowment, and this, often, creates a perception that they are the only ones who can make it in life. For example, middle class individuals believe that upper class people have more chances to succeed and get wealthy as compared to them. Similarly, lower class individuals also believe that middle class individuals stand a high chance of getting employment opportunities than them. Persons above the middle class do have higher chan...