American Dream Literature Connections

       A prevalent theme of American Dream literature is the unachievable aspect of the dream and its effects, such as the disappointment and defeated feeling that follows. Crooks, Lennie, and Willy are just some of the characters that demonstrate this and show other connections between different texts. The authors of these various texts create an understanding of the American Dream, including how it affects their actions, how some are excluded from it, and ultimately, how it causes loneliness. A quote from Of Mice and Men that I think captures this is: “You’ll talk about it a hell of a lot, but you won’t get no land. You’ll be a swamper here till they take you out in a box…seems like ever’ guy got land in his head.” (Steinbeck 75) This illustrates the essence of the Dream from across various literature: how the dream is had by everyone, the prospect of its unachievability, and its resolute ability to keep people living.             These texts demonstrate how the Dream is unachievable, and similar to this, there are many other connections between American Dream literature. Moreover, another part of the essence of the dream is the importance of not being alone. In Of Mice and Men, this necessity is stated.  “A guy needs somebody – to be near him.” (Steinbeck, 72) This is reiterated in Death of a Salesman by Biff and Willy. These texts collaborate together to create the understanding that a dream is crucial to keep one moving in life. As Charley states in Death of a Salesman, “A salesman is got to dream…” (Miller, 111) Miller uses this quote to establish that dreams are a source of hope and motivation, and Hughes says the same in his poem, “Dreams.” He describes that without dreams, life is dull and almost futile.

Many elements about what the American Dream is are mentioned across literature, and likewise, the way it affects the characters in these literatures is similar. The dream highly influences Lenny’s actions. “If I get in any trouble, you ain’t gonna let me tend the rabbits.” (Steinbeck, 30) He is always worried with thoughts of what consequences his actions will have on his dream. Hughes explains in “Harlem” that dreams dry up after a while of no progress. Steinbeck also shows this with his characters. Curley’s wife had a lifelong desire to become a star, which was nearly hopeless for her. When her life continued without any achievements for a while, she ignored that aspiration. This same pattern is shown with Candy and Crooks as well. A key point to be drawn from this is that dreams shouldn’t just be thrown away, even though no progress is made. Although it may seem vain, throughout these texts, the characters still initially chase their dreams. Willy does this, too. “Nobody dast blame this man.” (Miller, 111) Charley says this after Willy’s death, because Willy did what everyone does – had a dream and chased it. Steinbeck shows this point about the shared possession of dreams. “Sure they all want it. Everybody wants a little bit of land, not much. Jus’ somethin’ that was his. Somethin’ he could live on and there couldn’t nobody throw him off of it…But we gonna do it now.” (Steinbeck, 76) Although some think the dream is ridiculous, everyone deep down has a dream.

The American Dream has intense impacts on its dreamers, and this influence is illustrated in the texts. In the same way, other connections can be drawn throughout the varying passages. Some are excluded from the dream due to factors they can not control. In “Out, Out- “, a boy’s hand is cut off and he is unable to work, causing the dream to be terminated for him. The conclusion can be drawn that the dream is not for everyone and not everyone has a chance at it. This is similar to Of Mice and Men, when a black man named Crooks has his hand amputated. He is therefore automatically exempt from many aspects. However, those that aren’t exempt from the Dream feel a load of pressure. Although Willy and Curley’s wife both have quite gruesome deaths, afterwards, there is an aura of peace. Curley’s wife spends her whole life looking for something, and she found peace when she died. The authors might’ve been trying to communicate that the American Dream causes so much negativity that there is no tranquility when they’re alive.

In Conclusion, American Dream literature works together to create a cohesive understanding of what the Dream is. They all illustrate the same points: that the Dream is for the most part, unachievable; you can have some aspects, but you won’t be satisfied until you have them all. Dreams in general are shared by everyone and are essential to life.

 

 

Works Cited

Frost, Robert. “Out, Out-.” Poetryfoundation.org. 30 October 2017. Web. Hughes, Langston. “Dreams.” Poetryfoundation.org. 30 October 2017. Web. Hughes, Langston. “Harlem.” Poetryfoundation.org. 30 October 2017. Web. Miller, Arthur. Death of a Salesman. Penguin, 1998. Steinbeck, John. Of Mice and Men. Penguin, 1993.