This writing is mainly intended to reveal the aspects of the American dreams in modern novels. The stressed aspects are Pursuit of happiness, Persistence, Self-reliance, Individualistic, and the way to wealth. This piece of research is a qualitative one. This tries to describe the aspects of American dream through the sociological approach.
The American dream has long been an ideal of prosperity not just for Americans, but for the people all over the world. The promise of freedom and a better life drew hopeful immigrants before there was even a country to call home, and has continued to draw millions since then. Over time, the American dream has proved a resilient and unique concept that Americans have come to understand and define in different ways as relevant to their own narratives and experiences. These values and principles rooted in individualism, self-actualization, and self-reliance where people are able to fulfil their own destiny, be self-reliant, and believe in the promise that through hard work and perseverance life can be different and better than before.
1. INTRODUCTION
The novel has always been modern – always concerned mainly with contemporary life, and always after every new thing. It seemed to break the world in two, snapping all continuities with the past along with putting human character and life itself into a state of constant change. To keep up, the novel also had to snap and to split – to change. For this reason, it became “the modern novel,” breaking with the past, making itself new, to pursue modernity into the future.
The American dream can be examined and traced back to the ‘Declaration of Independence’ in 1776 where proclaimed people were entitled to “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness”. Pursuits that ended with people achieving some level of fulfilment through hard work, tenacity and perseverance. With that being said, the very term or phrase “The American Dream” did not truly receive some sort of formal definition until 1931. Amid the Great Depression, James Truslow Adams, in The Epic of America defined the term “dream” in concrete terms as a vehicle that promises and allows all its citizens, regardless of origin or social status or prosperity in a society founded on the basis of free and equal opportunity.
For example, the American dream is that if a person works hard, the probability of her or him being successful is quite high. In fact, this idea that working hard will always pay positively is not realistic because society is diverse where being successful or unsuccessful is affected by a number of factors some of which are not in control of anyone. As one of those movies that mostly reflect the idea of the American dream, The Pursuit of Happyness is taken as an example in this writing. In addition, this writing can let people understand the essence of the American dream and its influence on people all over the world. So, the study basically involves the rise of the American dream along with the reasons for its rise in this manner, an understanding of the plot and characters of a movie, a comprehensive view of the American dream and so on. The significance of the study is in a dialectical view of the American dream and a better understanding of the same.
2. THE MEANING OF THE AMERICAN DREAM AND ITS RISE
2.1. The meaning of the American dream
What is the American dream? The concept which is often mentioned must be examined thoroughly. In modern society, the narrow sense of the American dream is often understood as: As long as you work hard in any situation, no matter how difficult it becomes and don’t give up, then you will realize your personal value and have success.
The main point of this concept that makes it worth studying is that they rely on their own strength to struggle, rather than relying on the aid of others or on any particular social class. In the common sense, the American dream is the ideal of a democratic, equal and free country.
Sometimes, we see it as something that we want to achieve and we strongly believe in it that we can achieve. Like, the television show Leave it to Beaver where there is a bourgeois and nuclear family which reside comfortably in the countryside blessedly. This family reflect the dream of the American people which we are calling as the American dream. Not only that, but we can also see many more films certainly in support of the American dream. As The Pursuit of Happyness, this is a movie about persistence and effort. The meaning is that hard-working people’s dreams will eventually come true as long as they get through unremitting efforts and they can lead a good life.
The story of America is an exciting story to witness, filled with the evolution and amazing energy which is unprecedented in the known history of the world. The provocative reputation of America has been the celebrated ideal of the American dream along with the fantasy of complete independence and self-reliance mixed with opportunity to attain wealth through one’s labour. On the other hand, this case seems almost enchanted that is offering people the unprecedented, striking and revolutionary prospect of achieving success. The American dream is exactly what it appears to be – the opportunity of the ceaseless temptation of pleasure.
2.2. Exploring the vicissitudes of the American dream
The American dream that often seems like a fantasy is distorted and disillusioned by the great development of the capitalist industry. This could be explained under various headings.
2.2.1 Economic Reasons
In the early 20th century, due to the war which in a way also lead to the scientific and technological revolution in the contemporary American society, the American economy witnessed a growth in an unprecedented manner. Nevertheless, that growth did not sustain long and it was quickly followed by the great depression.
After the great depression, the American economy was much weaker than before. The gap between the rich and the poor in the contemporary American society was still widening at that time, and the distribution of social wealth was uneven. Like it always happens in such situations, Americans at the bottom of the society were greatly affected by the economic condition, some people even lost their jobs.
It certainly headed to many questions like – How to describe economic development? How to describe the American dream? At that point of time, it was difficult to answer the tough questions. So, at this point, the American dream began to unravel.
2.2.2 Historical Reasons
About a decade after the end of the first world war in 1918, the great depression of 1929 had not yet arrived. In mid 1920s, the traditional puritan morality had fallen apart and people’s hedonism began to spread. These people who have lived through life and death believing that life should be lived on time. It leaded the American dream, that everyone once believed in, to erode away.
So as Fitzgerald said:
“This is an age of wonder, an age of art, an age of extravagance, and age of mockery.”
The trauma of the history has made the people to appreciate the value of life more than the American dream and the fantasy of American dream which needed to be achieved through hard work has been gradually abandoned by the people.
2.2.3. Social Reasons
The realization of the American dream is the pursuit of a better life. The premise of the realization of the American dream is that everyone has an equal opportunity to do better with life.
They are judged on the basis of equality by people, when they are taking a job interview or they are applying for the university. They are not subjected to their financial situation and family background. If an opportunity is not equal, how can people believe that the American dream is real?
2.2.4. Small-Town Life
Just after the beginning of the twentieth century, one widely accepted the literary vision of the American dream involved life in a small, tightly knit community where residents were free from secrets and ill will. This idealized vision of a perfect American town, far removed from the tumult of the rest of the world, became a symbol for how the United States viewed itself in the larger community of the world.
America was a country that has really advanced in this current world. In various fields like economics, politics, social values, science as well as the American technology is more superior in comparison to other countries. Therefore, many countries in the world nicknamed America as the “superpower”.
According to Albert and William in their Luedtke book (1988:23) The American drew particular values, they are:
- An activist approach to life that is based on mastery rather than passive acceptance of the events.
- Emphasis on the achievement and success that is understood largely as material prosperity.
- A moral character oriented to such puritan virtues as duty, industry and sobriety.
- Religious faith.
- Science and secular rationality encouraged by a view of the universe as orderly, knowable and benign and emphasizing an external rather than inward view of the world.
- A progressive rather than traditionalist or static view of history which is governed by optimism and confidence in the future and a belief that progress can be achieved by the combined efforts of all.
- Equality along with a horizontal or equalitarian view rather than a hierarchical view of the social relations.
- High evaluation of individual personality rather than collective identity or responsibility.
- Self-reliance, humanitarianism, external conformity, tolerance of diversity, efficiency and practicality rather than idealism.
- Freedom, democracy, nationalism and patriotism, idealism and perfectionism.
- Mobility and change.
In the case of the “American Dreams”, it emphasizes to the moral values of the American as the most important requirement. As per Ben Franklin – hopes lead to the success and virtues, wealth and virtues lead to the honour and virtues. Virtues appear to be the means to success, wealth, and honour. Although, the American society, as we know it today with all its problems and promises that is their true monuments.
According to Emersus in Roth Book (1976-83):
“All men plume themselves on the environment of the society, and no man improves, society never advances”.
His point is that the society, in and of itself never improves, neither itself nor the individuals of the society. A person has to do the job personally if any headway is to be seen as forth coming. Besides that “belief in the potential of the American life”, that was the bases for Emerson’s American dreams of self-reliant individual living as one.
Literature
Twentieth Century Interpretations of The Old Man and the Sea have assisted to explore the American Dream reflected in the ideology of the old man.
CONCERN OF FREEDOM OF SANTIAGO
Throughout the novel, The Old Man and the Sea, Santiago upholds the freedom for his existence. In fact, the reflection of the freedom, as evident in the life of Santiago and the essence of this freedom in the life of Santiago could be attributed to the virtues of the American Dream.
The genesis of this individual freedom goes with the crisis lying in the context of the novella that concerns a time when America was affected by the great depression caused by a downfall in American stock market in the year of 1929.
Hemingway presented before Santiago, the Freedom of choice which is the core of existentialism and it is evident in the uniqueness of individuality of Santiago. Day after day, he got up, pushed through, and kept fishing even when people told him he was not good enough.
“They sat on the terrace and many of the fishermen made fun of the old man Santiago and yet he was never angry.”
The fishermen teased him constantly and Santiago didn’t care. In fact, here, his choice of not to change or give up made the old man an individual. He chose to fish, to stay and to endure. He always had opportunities to walk away, however he stuck through the sweet agony.
He chose to kill a fish which was like his brother. He says:
“Fish, I love you and respect you very much but I will kill you dead before this day ends.”
This shows a lot about the mental strength of the old man Santiago.
The mental make-up of the old man is, as such, uniquely built that is facilitating him to go for the freedom of his individual existence. He, as a representative of existentialists, enjoys the freedom in taking decisions on his own.
Here, his decision does not follow the so-called trends of the society. He finds his uniqueness in individualism, takes the liberty, and himself bears the responsibilities for his actions.
He says:
“I am a strange old man”.
This statement of him is esteeming the natural uprightness in his decisions. Though old, his cheerful eyes yet look forward for decisions at his sweet will as is found in the statement of the writer:
“Everything about him was old except his eyes and they were of the same colour as the sea and were as cheerful and undefeated.”
It is Santiago who decides his mode of life because despite his great strength and abilities, he is living humbly. He lives in poverty, owning a small shack which has no running water, yet he never complains. He is, basically, keen on the freedom of taking his own decisions in face of the challenges of the humble life that he leads.
SANTIAGO’S DREAM OF BETTER LIFE
As galvanized with the essence of the American Dream, Santiago too dreams of a better life.
The philosophy of Santiago’s better life has its radix in the American Dream as it is inferred from the statement of James Truslow Adams who, in 1931, of the American Dream, says:
“…life should be better…for everyone, with opportunity for each according to ability or achievement… regardless of social class or circumstances of birth.”
In fact, Santiago’s struggle for his dream does not come to an end because the word, ‘better’, that is comparative in degree alludes to the comparison between the things he has achieved and things more desirable to him to be achieved.
That is why his effort for better life is dynamic, and as such, a continuous process that can end only with death.
Santiago’s dream for a better life counts upon his positive attitude and efforts irrespective of their being fruitful or abortive.
The better life Santiago dreams of is free from any sad feelings and full of sublimity. He always keeps himself aloof from mental ailments that bring about unhappiness. For Santiago, dream life is something which should have continuity along with dynamism.
Santiago’s philosophy and dream make him unconventional in his society as mentioned by various critics including Bickford Sylvester and many more. He is devoted to a profession that he esteems as a more spiritual and as a way of life and a part of nature’s order in the eternal cycle that makes all creatures brothers in their common condition or situations.
Come what may, Santiago, therefore, tackles his problems, failures and sorrows with his philosophical sublimities and struggle. In a nutshell, this is what American dream is all about.
SANTIAGO’S STRUGGLE TO ACHIEVE THE DREAM
In the novel, Santiago is characterized as someone struggling for turning his dream of prosperity and success into realization with an eye to causing upward social mobility for himself.
In the beginning of the novel, he, though facing barriers, is found dreaming of changing his future. Dream in his life, as a catalyst, regulates his everyday activities.
The cuts of his fingers bear testimony to his struggle to change his ill fate and to stand upright with honour and dignity. For him, life refers to the continuous struggle for existence and so he is still dreaming of finding a place in the adverse world by virtue of his enterprise.
He dreams of availing every opportunity, whenever and wherever possible, to lead a life deeming his right to better life as some people do in the contemporary American society.
In fact, struggle along with the essence of prosperity and success that is embedded in Santiago pushes him forward to take up to any dangerous course of action jeopardizing his life.
Patience is the basis of the struggle that Santiago is carrying on for gaining triumph over his fate. In fact, he has to undergo two kinds of struggles – one is internal while the other is external.
The internal struggle refers to his effort to keep himself unshaken in continuous failure. As the novel opens, we see Santiago struggling for eighty-four days failing constantly to catch even a single fish. He still has a previous record of such instance of struggling for eighty-seven days without catching any fish.
Patience is the basis of the struggle Santiago is carrying on for gaining triumph over his fate. In fact, he has to undergo two kinds of struggles – one is internal while the other is external.
The internal struggle refers to his effort to keep himself unshaken in continuous failure. The external struggle is what we see with Santiago while he is catching marlin and trying to bring it to shore.
SPIRIT OF SANTIAGO A YARDSTICK OF THE AMERICAN DREAM
Santiago’s vigorous efforts represent the American Dream the yardstick of which is indomitable spirit. In fact, a man can make effort but he cannot ascertain his success.
Santiago, fixing up a target, works ceaselessly and he remains indifferent to the result of his work. Though much old, Santiago bears every pain on the way to attaining his dream.
During his failure he finds no one standing by him and condoling his bad luck, still he keeps his dream radiant. This spirit induces him to undertake his adventures of sailing far for fishing for which other fishermen feel unnerved.
Because of this invincible spirit Santiago stands as a symbol of the American Dream. From his own words, while he is struggling to drive away the sharks, we can elicit the ideology of his life:
“…I will try as long as I have the oars and the short club and the tiller.”
Santiago’s spirit reflecting the American Dream is contained in his resolution of achieving rare glory. The old are commonly seen giving away their endeavours and hopes and being subdued in the face of adversity whereas Santiago sails again and again for catching big fish.
As far as he looks at deeper in the sea, he gets new hope for surviving flouting his dotage. Unlike other people who do not dare do anything to fight shy of failure, Santiago dares embark on enterprises whether he loses or gains.
The spirit of the American Dream alluding to the fact whatever the situation it may be, goal will be reached through challenges.
In the attitude of Santiago, American ingenuity and resilience are evident. He cannot be called a loser because facing new challenges he gains more strength and knowledge than the other fishermen do.
For his endless dream to survive into the natural world, he becomes able to read the signs of nature only because of his lifelong experience of the sea.
A Taoist Reading of “The Old Man and the Sea”, Eric Waggoner about Santiago’s spirit of the American Dream says:
“…Hemingway depicts Santiago as a spiritual traveller who wishes to remain in the…path of correctness and right action.”
There is nothing that can stop him to go where he wants to. Santiago shows no fear. He is not like the other fishermen who stay within the surrounding they know best.
The old man shows the grace of spirited personality throughout his three days’ adventures for catching rare kind of fish. He does not give up though tired.
Constraints do not matter to him at all and so he can say:
“…but I must have confidence and I must be worthy of the great DiMaggio who does all things perfectly, even with a bone spur in his heel”.
CONCLUSION
From 1900 to 2000, the notion of the American dream assumed more forms, affected more dreamers, and encountered more backlash than ever before.
In the twentieth century, Americans dreamed of the same things as their forebears’ things such as freedom, wealth, and meaning. It is hard to say whether twentieth-century Americans were any more or less successful achieving their wishes than the generations that came before them.
However, though success is seemingly the pivot of the American Dream, through the struggle of Santiago, it is proved to be true that it is the spirit in pursuit of goal – irrespective of success and failure – which is the basis of the American Dream.
Santiago, by his concern of freedom for and dream of better life, has upheld the dynamism of the American Dream while he, with a view to ensuring that expected life, has to undergo harsh course of struggle.
Santiago has, for his life, gone by a particular ‘code’ maintaining values which have not let him be distracted. The dream he has is certainly of success, yet the nucleus of the dream is his spirit preparing him composed.
Since success cannot be easily grunted, to ensure it, endurance and patience as apparent in Santiago are must.
That the novella starts with struggle and comes to an end with the same refers to the essence of the American Dream which is, as such, synonymous to a universal spirit that glares forever.
Santiago, therefore, believes in his ability instead of chance.
“To hell with luck,” he thinks. “I’ll bring the luck with me.”
The fact that writers return to the theme again and again with new aspects to explore and new perspectives to present tells readers that Americans continue dreaming the dream.
