“Predictively, any attempt at abstracting from the plethora of relevant publications something even faintly resembling a definition of the ‘Dream’ is doomed to failure.”
Peter Freese
As Peter Freese precisely points out, defining the American Dream is a difficult if not irresolvable task. The reason for this is that “beyond an abstract belief in possibility, there is no one American Dream.” Nevertheless, it is easy to find short definitions in various encyclopedias. In The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language it is defined as
“[a]n American ideal of a happy and successful life to which all may aspire: “In the deepening gloom of the Depression, the American Dream represented a reaffirmation of traditional American hopes.”'
The New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy offers a different definition:
“[a] phrase connoting hope for prosperity and happiness, symbolized particularly by having a house of one's own. Possibly applied at first to the hopes of immigrants, the phrase now applies to all except the very rich and suggests a confident hope that one's children's economic and social condition will be better than one's own.”
A rather short and simple explanation of the term American Dream can be found in the dictionary WordNet by the Princeton University which says that it is
“the widespread aspiration of Americans to live better than their parents did.”
All of these definitions describe various facets of the dream, but none of them gets to the point.
In order to get an idea of what the dream really is or what it is assumed to be and how the idea of it came up, it is necessary to have a look at American history. The recapitulation in this work will make an attempt to reveal why it is the American dream and how it is related to American national identity. It will give a brief overview of the most important concepts in the history of the country, starting back in 1585 when the first colonists arrived. It will deal with important topics which, besides colonialization and the connected reasons for leaving Europe, are the establishment of the Declaration of Independence, the Frontier and the westward movement, Manifest Destiny all the way up to the Civil Rights Movement and the struggle for equality. Besides, it is supposed to not only show the bright side of the dream but its shady sides as well in order to give full testimony of the idea of the American Dream.
Table of Contents
- 1. Introduction
- 2. The American Dream – Historical Background
- 3. The American Dream today
- 4. Gabriele Muccino's The Pursuit of Happyness (2006) - The American Dream
- 4.1 Story
- 4.2 Chris Gardner and Symbolism
- 4.3 Images of the American Dream
- 4.4 Realization of the American Dream
- 5. Sam Mendes' American Beauty (1999) – The American Nightmare
- 5.1 Story
- 5.2 Suburban Life
- 5.3 Suburbs related to the American Dream
- 5.4 Failure of the American Dream
- 6. Andrew Bergman's It Could Happen to You (1994) – The American Dream over Night
- 6.1 Story
- 6.2 New York Living and Dreaming
- 6.3 Gambling in the USA related to the American Dream
- 6.4 Gambling as a Way to Happiness?
- 7. Oliver Stone's U Turn (1997) – The American Bad Dream
- 7.1 Story
- 7.2 Dreams and Desires
- 7.3 The other Side of the Dream
- 7.4 American Nightmares
- 8. Realization of the American Dream - Positive Examples
- 9. Failure of the American Dream - Negative Examples
Objectives and Key Themes
This work aims to explore the multifaceted nature of the American Dream and Nightmare as depicted in film. It examines how different cinematic representations reflect various historical and societal aspects of the American experience, moving beyond simplistic notions of "good" and "bad" to reveal the complexities inherent in this enduring concept. The analysis focuses on four films to showcase the diverse interpretations and implications of the American Dream.
- The historical evolution of the American Dream and its changing connotations.
- The contrast between the idealized American Dream and its darker, more disillusioned counterpart, the American Nightmare.
- The role of socioeconomic factors, such as homeownership and gambling, in shaping perceptions of the American Dream.
- The diverse cinematic representations of the American Dream and their relationship to American history.
- An exploration of both the positive and negative facets of the American Dream, avoiding simplistic binary interpretations.
Chapter Summaries
1. Introduction: This introductory chapter tackles the inherent difficulty in defining the "American Dream," highlighting the lack of a singular, universally accepted definition. It introduces various dictionary definitions, each offering a partial perspective on the concept. The chapter sets the stage for a historical and cinematic exploration of the American Dream's diverse facets, emphasizing its complexities and evasive nature.
2. The American Dream – Historical Background: This chapter provides a concise overview of American history, tracing the evolution of the American Dream from the arrival of the first colonists to the Civil Rights Movement. It examines key historical events and movements such as colonization, the Declaration of Independence, westward expansion, Manifest Destiny, and the struggle for equality, emphasizing their influence on the shaping and reshaping of the American Dream. The chapter establishes the historical context crucial for understanding the multifaceted nature of the American Dream.
3. The American Dream today: This chapter discusses the contemporary relevance of the American Dream and its continued presence in public discourse. It highlights how the concept remains a topic of ongoing discussion in modern society, evident in political speeches and media outlets. The chapter establishes a bridge between the historical evolution of the American Dream and its present-day implications.
4. Gabriele Muccino's The Pursuit of Happyness (2006) - The American Dream: This chapter analyzes "The Pursuit of Happyness," focusing on its portrayal of the "rags-to-riches" narrative as a positive realization of the American Dream. The chapter will explore the film's symbolism and imagery, connecting them to significant historical elements like the Declaration of Independence and the American flag, demonstrating how the film uses these symbols to express the American Dream's essence.
5. Sam Mendes' American Beauty (1999) – The American Nightmare: This chapter examines "American Beauty" as a counterpoint to "The Pursuit of Happyness," focusing on its depiction of the American Dream's failure and its darker side. The chapter analyzes the film's portrayal of suburban life, its connection to the dream of homeownership and upward mobility, and how it reveals the potential for the American Dream to turn into a nightmare, highlighting the disillusionment and dissatisfaction that can accompany the pursuit of the ideal.
6. Andrew Bergman's It Could Happen to You (1994) – The American Dream over Night: This chapter analyzes "It Could Happen to You," exploring the theme of sudden wealth through lottery winnings and its contrast with the traditional Puritan work ethic associated with achieving the American Dream. The chapter delves into the history of gambling in the USA, connecting it to the broader narrative of the American Dream and examining the film's implications regarding the pursuit of happiness through unconventional means.
7. Oliver Stone's U Turn (1997) – The American Bad Dream: This chapter explores "U Turn" as a representation of the "American Bad Dream," where the pursuit of dreams, regardless of cost, becomes a central theme. The chapter connects this desperate pursuit of dreams to the realities of poverty and inequality in America, questioning the attainability of the American Dream in the face of such disparities.
8. Realization of the American Dream - Positive Examples and 9. Failure of the American Dream - Negative Examples: These chapters provide a broader overview of positive and negative examples of the American Dream's realization and failure, respectively, building upon the individual film analyses from previous chapters.
Keywords
American Dream, American Nightmare, American Identity, Film Analysis, Homeownership, Gambling, Social Mobility, Poverty, Inequality, Historical Context, Cinematic Representations, Pursuit of Happiness, Rags to Riches, Suburbia, Gabriele Muccino, Sam Mendes, Andrew Bergman, Oliver Stone.
Frequently Asked Questions: A Comprehensive Language Preview
What is the overall topic of this text?
This text is a comprehensive language preview analyzing the multifaceted nature of the "American Dream" and "American Nightmare" as depicted in film. It examines how different cinematic representations reflect various historical and societal aspects of the American experience, moving beyond simplistic notions of "good" and "bad" to reveal the complexities inherent in this enduring concept.
What films are analyzed in this text?
The analysis focuses on four films: Gabriele Muccino's The Pursuit of Happyness (2006), Sam Mendes' American Beauty (1999), Andrew Bergman's It Could Happen to You (1994), and Oliver Stone's U Turn (1997). Each film is examined for its portrayal of the American Dream and its various interpretations.
What is the structure of the text?
The text includes a table of contents, objectives and key themes, chapter summaries, and keywords. It begins with an introduction discussing the difficulties in defining the American Dream and then explores its historical evolution. Individual chapters analyze each of the four films, followed by chapters summarizing positive and negative examples of the American Dream's realization and failure.
What are the key themes explored in the text?
Key themes include the historical evolution of the American Dream, the contrast between the idealized American Dream and the American Nightmare, the role of socioeconomic factors (homeownership and gambling), diverse cinematic representations of the American Dream, and an exploration of both positive and negative aspects of the dream.
How does the text approach the American Dream?
The text avoids simplistic binary interpretations of the American Dream. It acknowledges the complexities and contradictions inherent in the concept, exploring both its positive and negative aspects as represented in different films and historical periods.
What is the historical context provided in the text?
The text provides a concise overview of American history, tracing the evolution of the American Dream from colonization to the Civil Rights Movement. It examines key historical events and movements, highlighting their influence on the shaping and reshaping of the American Dream.
What is the purpose of analyzing the four chosen films?
The four films are analyzed to showcase the diverse interpretations and implications of the American Dream. Each film provides a unique perspective on the concept, allowing for a multifaceted and nuanced understanding.
What are some of the specific aspects of the American Dream discussed in relation to the films?
The text examines aspects such as the "rags-to-riches" narrative (The Pursuit of Happyness), suburban life and its disillusionment (American Beauty), the impact of sudden wealth (It Could Happen to You), and the darker side of the pursuit of dreams (U Turn).
What are the keywords associated with this text?
Keywords include American Dream, American Nightmare, American Identity, Film Analysis, Homeownership, Gambling, Social Mobility, Poverty, Inequality, Historical Context, Cinematic Representations, Pursuit of Happiness, Rags to Riches, Suburbia, and the names of the directors of the four films.
Who is the intended audience for this text?
The text appears to be intended for an academic audience, given its focus on structured analysis and professional terminology. It's likely used for research or educational purposes.
- Quote paper
- Jessica Narloch (Author), 2008, Facets of the American Dream and American Nightmare in Film , Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/116654
