A Raisin In The Sun American Dream Analysis
Arlene Borbon
LIT 202
Essay Package #1
Dr. Altschuler
“A Raisin in the Sun” and the American Dream The American Dream is defined by hard work. If one works hard, it will pay off and one will live comfortably. If one works even harder, it will lead to wealth. This definition is especially evident in “A Raisin in the Sun”. In the play, we read about the desperation that results when the characters realize that this definition doesn’t hold true for them, especially Walter Lee. He, as well as his parents, worked very hard, but had nothing to show for it. They lived in their cramped apartment with a sole tiny window. Furthermore, the play showed that making the American Dream a reality is even harder when your race is a minority. Work ethic …show more content…
Fetterley makes the point that the perceived romance in the novel is nothing more than another aspect of power-grabbing going on between the men. The women are just another prize for the men to attain in order to assert themselves as dominant. However, the most compelling argument in Fetterley’s essay is the factor of “romantic investment and indignant divestment of women.” The men, particularly Gatsby, place their hopes in to their love interests, which then lead to their downfall. Furthermore, by it leading to downfall, the novel paints these women as being evil and unworthy of such …show more content…
With Daisy and Gatsby, we see that Gatsby loves what Daisy represents, which is a societal status and high class that he was so intent on achieving. So he needs her for validation. However, since the standards he applies to Daisy are impossible to attain, Daisy naturally falls short, so she is devalued for it. Fetterly goes as far as making an example of Daisy’s devaluation when Nick conceals the fact that Daisy was driving when Myrtle was killed. According to Fetterly, Nick’s reasons for lying are because he thinks that Daisy is not capable of handling moral responsibility. This reflects the message in our culture that women that women are seen as children. The investment/divestment dynamic are also evident in Nick and Jordan’s relationship, and there is also a dynamic of advantage/disadvantage. When they meet and Gatsby’s party, Nick is dependent of her, since he doesn’t know anyone there. So Jordan has an advantage over him. Later, Nick seeks to discredit Jordan by pointing out her perceived flaws. He points out Jordan’s cool, arrogant personality as a cover-up for her frivolous needs. Nick goes as far as to imply that her arrogance reflects her incapability of being at a disadvantage, so she lies to maintain her
LIT 202
Essay Package #1
Dr. Altschuler
“A Raisin in the Sun” and the American Dream The American Dream is defined by hard work. If one works hard, it will pay off and one will live comfortably. If one works even harder, it will lead to wealth. This definition is especially evident in “A Raisin in the Sun”. In the play, we read about the desperation that results when the characters realize that this definition doesn’t hold true for them, especially Walter Lee. He, as well as his parents, worked very hard, but had nothing to show for it. They lived in their cramped apartment with a sole tiny window. Furthermore, the play showed that making the American Dream a reality is even harder when your race is a minority. Work ethic …show more content…
Fetterley makes the point that the perceived romance in the novel is nothing more than another aspect of power-grabbing going on between the men. The women are just another prize for the men to attain in order to assert themselves as dominant. However, the most compelling argument in Fetterley’s essay is the factor of “romantic investment and indignant divestment of women.” The men, particularly Gatsby, place their hopes in to their love interests, which then lead to their downfall. Furthermore, by it leading to downfall, the novel paints these women as being evil and unworthy of such …show more content…
With Daisy and Gatsby, we see that Gatsby loves what Daisy represents, which is a societal status and high class that he was so intent on achieving. So he needs her for validation. However, since the standards he applies to Daisy are impossible to attain, Daisy naturally falls short, so she is devalued for it. Fetterly goes as far as making an example of Daisy’s devaluation when Nick conceals the fact that Daisy was driving when Myrtle was killed. According to Fetterly, Nick’s reasons for lying are because he thinks that Daisy is not capable of handling moral responsibility. This reflects the message in our culture that women that women are seen as children. The investment/divestment dynamic are also evident in Nick and Jordan’s relationship, and there is also a dynamic of advantage/disadvantage. When they meet and Gatsby’s party, Nick is dependent of her, since he doesn’t know anyone there. So Jordan has an advantage over him. Later, Nick seeks to discredit Jordan by pointing out her perceived flaws. He points out Jordan’s cool, arrogant personality as a cover-up for her frivolous needs. Nick goes as far as to imply that her arrogance reflects her incapability of being at a disadvantage, so she lies to maintain her