The Impossible American Dream Essay - 1801 Words

The Impossible American Dream in Anzia Yezierskas â€Å"America and I,† Uncle and Jayanti from Chitra Divakarunis â€Å"Silver Pavements, Golden Roofs,† and Leon from Fae Myenne Ngs Bone. America has always been characterized as the land of dreams and opportunities. Immigrants entering America took these characterizations to heart. The dreams and aspirations of stable, wealthy, and happy lives in America became known as the â€Å"American Dream†. However, the†¦show more content†¦But it is also evident how their lives could have been different if Jays suggestion is taken into account. The first example of the negativity of the â€Å"American Dream† is in the unn amed narrator of Anzia Yezierskas story â€Å"America and I.† The narrator immigrates from Russia to America full of dreams and desires. She says, â€Å"America was a land of living hope, woven of dreams, aflame with longing and desire† (Yezierska 1970). For the narrator, America represents the ideal place to live, where everyones dreams can come true. She believes that â€Å"in America everybody works for love. Nobody has to worry for a living† (Yezierska 1974). The narrator quickly finds out that life in America is not about working for love. Despite having hope that the former Russian immigrants that she is working for will treat her well, her very first job ends with her receiving no wages for her hard work. The narrators second job is no better, with endless hours, little rest, and even less money. She is confused and cannot seem to discover herself and her place in an America that is so different than her dream. She laments, â€Å"Who am I? What am I? Wha t do I want with my life? Where is America? Is there an America? What is this wilderness in which Im lost?† (Yezierska 1972). She yearns for a way to express herself but has no way to communicate her needs. The narrators conversation at the vocational center becomes a sad commentary on the negativity of theShow MoreRelatedThe American Dream in Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck712 Words   |  3 PagesThe American Dream in Of Mice and Men The American dream is the traditional social ideals of the US, such as equality, democracy, and material prosperity. In the Novella Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck the American Dream plays a huge role in almost every character’s lives, and the different version of the American dream for each individual has affected both their lives and the outcome of this novella. The American dream plays a role that makes each character more hard working and perseveredRead MoreThe Great Gatsby And The Catcher In The Rye Analysis1028 Words   |  5 Pagesdepict the American Dream in similar ways through the protagonist. The Great Gatsby follows the story of young man, Jay Gatsby, trying to win back his former love interest, Daisy, through his acquisition of wealth. 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