For Jake and Alfred, the male characters from Love in L.A. and “M” is for Moon Among Other Things, respectively, reality is far from their perception of the good life. Both men dream of living quite differently from the one they have been leading, yet neither deserve what they desire. Jake and Alfred are a true example of getting what one deserves.
While the situations are very dissimilar, the dreams and desires are very common, stereotypical fantasies. Jake conjures up a perfect automobile in his mind, along with a sheik lifestyle to accompany it. Alfred shares secret, fictitious conversations with Marilyn Monroe in his head.
While wasting away in bumper-to-bumper traffic in Los Angeles, Jake seeps into his own little world, imagining all the joys of having the perfect car. Initially this is understandable as he needed “something better than this ‘58 Buick he drove.” (Gilb 628) But the fantasy goes beyond a newer, safer car with a better radio and heater. He also wanted to have “crushed velvet interior with electric controls,” which would require him to lead an entirely different lifestyle. (Gilb 628) What Jake wanted was to be wealthy, surrounded by loose women, and enjoy the freedom that money could buy. Rather than sitting in traffic on a daily basis, only to toil long hours at a useless job. Instead of working as an underpaid peon, he could revel in “exotic colognes, plush, dark nightclubs, maitais and daquiris, necklaced ladies in satin gowns, misty and sexy like in a tequila ad.” (Gilb 628)
Alfred suffers from his own delusions as well. Understandably, he is tired, bored, and perhaps annoyed at the monotony of sleeping next to the same woman for so many years, for working the same old job just about as long, and also toiling through a gruesome daily commute. Just as Jake had formed his ultimate fantasy, so had Alfred is, “a Smooth-as-Silk Beauty as Fast as they Come.” (Stoppard 942) While the reference refers to an automobile advertisement, it can also be seen as his ideal dream of being close to Marilyn Monroe. Alfred is farther gone into his fictitious world than Jake, however.
The middle aged man took his desire to a near-insane level, developing entire conversations with her. After hearing of the actress’ untimely demise, Alfred explains to her spirit that “[she] shouldn’t have trusted them, they’re all rotten.” (Stoppard 944) He may be referencing the fans, the reporters, her employers, or her lovers, but whomever Alfred is speaking of is irrelevant.
Brian purchased the finest penthouse that his money could buy. After all, “I deserve it”, he would boast to friends. Expensive white Italian silk suits, alligator shoes, and a red Lamborghini sports car with license plates that read “MONEY” were his trademark. His penthouse apartment held a sweeping vista of the city along with elegantly appointed rooms, marble entry, a swimming pool and a sauna. Art work from the masters and rare collections were an impressive site to visitors. Brian had all the latest toys and electronics gadgets a young man could desire. A staff of servants cooked, cleaned and pampered him where ever he desired.
There has been much debate over Booker T. Washington and the effectiveness of his work at Tuskegee Institute. Some believe that he was a pioneer for black education in a time when few had the opportunity. Others believe that his conformity to the white ideal of what a black man should be hindered his ability to create real social change for his race. In his autobiography, Up From Slavery, Washington maps out his life from its humble beginnings as a slave up through the success of his school, Tuskegee Institute. He is quick to drop names of the important white businessmen and prominent citizens to ensure their support for his school. However, he is also quick to push his students to be productive members of their society. Through closer examination, can Washington's true views shine through? Did he win victories for his race through playing by the rules of white society or did he give in to their demands in pursuit of his own glory and "savior" status? Perhaps no one will ever know what was truly in his heart, but his public actions did not incite severe, complete, lasting social revelations for his African American brothers.
Unfortunately for most, these dreams go unanswered as the monstrous world of the wealthy can only accept those of a certain “respectable” nature. It is these people, such as those I have known, The Buchanans, for example, who are intricate parts of the grotesque world that they choose to indulge themselves in. Tom Buchanan, a man whose arrogance emanates from his very core, was raised in a society that values wealth over the love of family, intelligence, and respectability. They instead believe that class and venerance comes with achieving wealth, not earning it through talent. As Mr. Lapham states, the Europeans of yesterday and today, see us Americans as irrational and insane for holding the wealthy onto a pedestal as prized possessions, without putting much thought into their actual beliefs and talents. This can be most connected to the mystery surrounded by an old friend, Jay Gatsby. For a whole summer in West Egg, people swarmed his extravagant and garish house, making it seem like it was the 4th of July everyday. Instead of asking why, these uninvited attendees instead generated respect for Gatsby solely based on his extreme and illustrious nature. For Gatsby, his self-worth was not generated in money but his ability to dream that it would get him to what he so greatly wanted: Daisy. But, agreeing with Mr. Lapham, the
Booker T. Washington was one of the most well-known African American educators of all time. Lessons from his life recordings and novelistic writings are still being talked and learned about today. His ideas of the accommodation of the Negro people and the instillation of a good work ethic into every student are opposed, though, by some well-known critics of both past and current times. They state their cases by claiming the Negro’s should not have stayed quiet and worked their way to wear they did, they should have demanded equal treatment from the southern whites and claimed what was previously promised to them. Also, they state that Washington did not really care about equality or respect, but about a status boost in his own life. Both arguments presented by Washington and his critics are equally valid when looked at in context, but When Mr. Booker gave his speech at the Atlanta Acquisition, he was more-so correct in his belief of accommodation. His opinions concerning that hard work achieved success and respect and that demanding requests does not give immediate results were more rational, practical, and realistic than others outcries of immediate gratification and popularity contests.
Washington’s stance for social separation and economic acceptance with certain restraints. It is easier to ease into change rather than directly change completely. I would have pushed more for social acceptance with less inferior stance for African Americans and also feel that one must start from the bottom and like yeast when making bread, rise to the top. In closing Dr. Booker T. Washington’s stance was made with best intention to advance the African American race. He continued to advance the race by his actions, his university, and his mentorship until his death. For that I say thank you Mr. Booker Taliaferro
Deteriorating moralities and optimistic beliefs of overnight wealth replaced strict traditional views on religion, family structure, and work ethics. In an era of such high optimism, the pioneering spirit of the American Dream was revitalized. The nouveaux riches often clashed with the established wealth, as evident throughout F. Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby. Fitzgerald’s narrator, Nick Carraway, suddenly finds himself submerged in the paper-thin morals, and shallow values of upper-class New York after migrating from the Western interior. Throughout the novel, Nick is highly cynical of American society. Thus, The Great Gatsby is Fitzgerald’s means of criticizing the worsening family structure of American society, the newfound materialistic lifestyles of Americans, an American society governed by corruption, and ultimately, the paradox of the American Dream.
Washington Is being remembered for the address of “Atlanta Exposition” In this particular speech, Booker T called on the Whites to provide Industrial, agricultural education and job for the Negroes. In return the African Americans will stop the demanding for civil rights and social equality. The message he passed to the Negroes was that social equality and politics were not really important as the immediate goals than independence and respectability of the economy. Washington had this belief that if blacks gained a foothold of the economy, and also proved how useful they can be to the Whites, then they will achieve social equality and civil rights because it will eventually be given to them in the long run. African Americans were urged and encouraged to work as skilled artisans, farmers, manual laborers, and domestics servants to show the Whites that all African Americans were not “liars and chicken thieves”.
Every character in the novel has moments of feeling happy and endures a moment where they believe that they are about to achieve their dreams. Naturally everyone dreams of being a better person, having better things and in 1920’s America, the scheme of get rich quick. However each character had their dreams crushed in the novel mainly because of social and economical situations and their dream of happiness becomes a ‘dead dream’ leading them back to their ‘shallow lives’ or no life at all.
The idea of the American Dream is it began as an idea people could thrive from, but became detrimental through corruption. Society’s necessity for material goods and money for personal happiness distorts the American dream. One’s morals will be compromised once one decides to live a life for the sole purpose of following a corrupted ideal. In Hunter S. Thompson’s literary work, Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas, his viewpoint of the American Dream is expressed. Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas, written by Hunter S. Thompson, expresses the decline of society’s morals due to materialistic needs. Thompson proves through symbolism and characterization that society‘s corrupted perception of the American Dream provokes an individual’s morals to decline.
The male American dream is most often interpreted as moving your family up in society by increasing your wealth. With this comes the need to purchase items that are on par with one’s income level and therefore showing off wealth and status. This need for items is not particularly because of usefulness or practicality but to distinguish oneself in society as a part of a particular class level, coming from the pressure to keep up with one’s peers. This film shows that society has taken over the definition of our needs and men no longer think for themselves but rather turn to see what others have and from that interpret what society sees as acceptable and standard. The male American dream can be interpreted as a never-ending cycle to prove oneself to others and appear to the standards that others define. According to Tyler Durden, “Advertising has us chasi...
“American Sociology 's Investigations of the American Dream: Retrospect and Prospect” is an article that discusses the sociology and the different views that people have on the American Dream. According to this article, sociology has developed a history of studies dealing with each person’s American way of life, and the role the American dream has played on society. Because each person has a different dream they take on different roles in society. Everybody has a different job and contributes differently to society. This article is related to Death of a Salesman because of Willy’s version of the American Dream. He says to Happy and Biff, “I’ll show you all the towns. America is full of beautiful towns and fine, upstanding people. And they know me, boys, they know me up and down New England. The finest people. And when I bring you fellas up, there’ll be open sesame for all of us, ‘cause one thing, boys: I have friends” (Miller 1440). Willy refers to the people as being kind hearted and having respect for anyone who appears physically attractive. Willy believed that in order to achieve success you must appear physically attractive and work in the business field. The role he played in society was a failed business man who struggled to be successful. He had a hard time fitting in with society creating a difficult lifestyle for
From dreams deferred to identity affirmed Lorraine Hansberry’s, “A Raisin in the Sun,” presents readers with many differing themes. The most prevalent and reoccurring theme is the effect money plays on society’s views of manhood and happiness. Readers are shown multiple characters with a diverse view on manhood. From Walter Lee with his matching societal views that a man should be able to provide whatever his family needs or wants to Lena whose views are a biased compilation of her late husband’s behavior and her own ideals, that a man should maintain his honor and protect his children’s dreams.
The majority of the characters in the novel seem to have it all; dream houses, cars and alcohol (in a time when it was banned). They have the lifestyle that you can only dream about. But when you look past the exterior of those mansions and look within, you see how
“Money is the root of all evil”(Levit). Man and his love of money has destroyed lives since the beginning of time. Men have fought in wars over money, given up family relationships for money and done things they would have never thought that they would be capable of doing because of money. In the movie, based on F. Scott Fitzgerald’s novel, The Great Gatsby, the author demonstrates how the love and worship of money and all of the trappings that come with it can destroy lives. In the novel Jay Gatsby has lavish parties, wears expensive gaudy clothes, drives fancy cars and tries to show his former love how important and wealthy he has become. He believes a lie, that by achieving the status that most Americans, in th...
The economy is booming with success, and your wealth portrays ones position in society. George Babbitt is infatuated with having the latest “gadgets” and technology in his home, as is the rest of Middle-class America. Lewis portrays society as a group of self-centered people who must have the best of everything (sounds similar to our world today). Middle-class America is disturbingly the same to the last detail in the 1920’s. Life begins for Babbitt waking up to an unappreciative family, and a typical fake show of affection from his wife. Babbitt realizes his life is dull and mundane. Even the kiss from his wife is typical. Babbitt, like most men in the 1920’s, finds his home not as a haven but as a depressing reality of what his life has really become. Babbitt recognizes he is disgusted with his life, and that he doesn’t even love his wife. Only when Babbitt escapes his home does he find satisfaction. Babbitt is found in his community as a role model of every businessmen, even the mechanic at the gas station commends him for organization. Babbitt temporarily feels relief when freedom encompasses his life, but later in the novel Babbitt illustrates that even “business” is shaped by society. Just as business is shaped in Zenith, so are the women who live there.