The American dream is an ideal, an aspiration that is embodied in the pursuit of happiness and self-satisfaction that has been the banner of the United States as personified in its philosophy of freedom. This ideology wants people to believe that everyone can achieve prosperity and success in the land of the free provided that one strives hard because there is very little barrier that would deter one from accomplishing their goals of a better life. Although the specificity of the American Dream varies and changes over time, the general concept remains the same—that anyone who works hard will achieve a happy and successful life. A good proof of the dynamism in the ideology of the American Dream can be documented from the vast definitions provided by renowned historians, social scientists and political personalities over the years. For example, F.W. Bogen in 1851 describes the American Dreams as
“ [In America] wealth and possession of real estate confer not the least political right on its owner above what the poorest citizen has. Nor are there nobility, privileged orders, or standing armies to weaken the physical and moral power of the people, nor are there swarms of public functionaries to devour in idleness credit for. Above all, there are no princes and corrupt courts representing the so-called divine 'right of birth.' In such a country the talents, energy and perseverance of a person have far greater opportunity to display than in monarchies” (Frederick 170-171).
Historian H.W. Brands in his book entitled, The age of gold: the California Gold Rush and the new American dream, on the other hand states that many associated the American dream as an instant success delivered by the discovery of gold in California in 1849. For which Brands said,
“The old American Dream was the dream of the Puritans, of Benjamin Franklin's "Poor Richard" of men and women content to accumulate their modest fortunes a little at a time, year by year by year. The new dream was the dream of instant wealth, won in a twinkling by audacity and good luck. [This] golden dream became a prominent part of the American psyche only after Sutter's Mill” (Brands 442).
In the story of the Great Gatsby, the character of Jay Gatsby was awealthy aristocrat whose story was unknown to everyone. However, Gatsby lives in luxury and flourishes his wealth through lavish parties and unwise spendings. During the course of the story it was revealed that Gatsby did not have an easy beginning nor was he born with a silver spoon in his mouth. He grew rich working for a millionaire who inspired him to make himself wealthy. However, desperation and the desire to hasten his goal of becoming rich, Gatsby was forced to deal and participate in numerous illegal activities. He did all these just to gain the social position that he was aspiring. Although Gatsby was described by Carraway as deely flawed, vulgar and dishonest, Gatsby maintained his optimism and focus which earned him the title “great.” Gatsby’s character was mysterious, as he even keeps his real name a secret, only because he do not wish to be recognized as the man who came from nothing. In Chapter one, Nick Carraway recalled an advise he received from his father warning him about about striving for success. His father said,
"Whenever you feel like criticizing any onejust remember that all the people in this world haven't had the advantages that you've had" (Fritzgerald 2).
The line implies that while some rich people are already born with the power, the priviledge and the capacity that not everyone is able to enjoy, they still fail to excel and make themselves worthy of greatness. It only shows the difference between Gatsby and Carraway’s character. Carraway being born of the priviledge and the opportunity of not needing to strive hard nor resort to anything criminal in nature to seek prosperity fails to accomplish the same magnitude as Gatsby.
People live in sheer desperation to get out of a misearble situation that they are willing to close their eyes on facts and be lured by the idea of what only captivates the eyes. As the American Dream lures people into thinking that anything is possbile and everything is achievable in the Land of the Free. This was learned the hard way by Myrtle Wilson who marries the character of Tom Buchanan in her desperation to better her life. Nevertheless, in the end she found herself saying,
“He borrowed somebody's best suit to get married in, and never told me about it, and the man came after it one day when he was out I gave it to him and then I lay down and cried all afternoon" (Fritzgerald 24).
This passage suggests that people are easily decieved by things that promises good fortune that they fail to rationalize the veracity and the authenticity of things that promises wealth and prosperity in their eagerness to amass the wealth and power that they desire.
Similar in the film Citizen Kane, people are drawn to wealth and power that they hold it valuable to decode everything that the rich and the powerful say and does in the hope that they too can unlock the mystery of what led them to their success as though it is applicable to everyone else. People are lured to the idea that what happens to another person is very likely to happen in another person simply by imitation and revelation of a secret. In the film, Citizen Kane everyone wanted to decode the meaning of “Rosebud”, he last word of the rich man Charles Foster Kane. People wanted to make money, not just a few but an awful lot. In the film Citizen Cane, there was a discussion between Mr. Bernstein who was a friend and employee of Charles Foster Kane and Jerry Thompson who was mesmerized over how rich Kane was. Berstein said,
“Well, it's no trick to make a lot of money if what you want to do is make a lot of money” .
Bernstein’s message was simple, if one’s goal is to make money then the only way to making it is working. There is no secret to richness and success. This is a common knowledge that needs not be unlock.
Overall, both literary masterpieces have the same impression about the American Dream. There are no shortcut to success. Everyone will have to go through sacrifices in order to accomplish one’s goals and visions. Those who aspire for the easy way will always find themselves answerable to the consequences of rushing success and wealth. As Mr. Berstein in Citizen Cane said, there is no trick to making a lot of money. If it is your vision, all you have to do is to put your heart and mind into it and strive ahrd to achieve it. Nothing beats hardwork and dedication. The American Dream is an ideology. It is not an absolute reality. If one intends to make it real, then realizing this dream only lays upon the hands of the dreamer.
Works Cited
Brands, Henry William. The Age of Gold: The California Gold Rush and the New American Dream. New York: Knopf Doubleday Publishing Group, 2008. Print.
Citizen Kane. Dir. Orson Welles. Perf. Orson Welles, Joseph Cotten and Dorothy Comingore. 1941. CD.
Fitzgerald, Francis Scott. The Great Gatsby. Toronto: Hayes Barton Press, 1980. Print.
Frederick, Bogen. "The German in America." Ozment, Stephen. A Mighty Fortress: A New History of the German People. New York: Harper Collins Publication, 2004. 170-171. Print.
