The American Dream - Unit 2 English

Overview of The American Dream

  • Central themes in texts convey deeper messages beyond the plot.

  • Essays should discuss themes and their related ideas.

Defining The American Dream

  • Belief that anyone can achieve success regardless of background.

  • Seen as a motivator but criticized as an unrealistic ideal.

Related Vocabulary

  • Opportunity, Prosperity, Freedom, Equality, Upward Mobility.

  • Self-Made, Ambition, Success, Happiness, Independence.

  • Innovation, Resilience, Hope, Aspiration, Achievement.

Contextual Values

  • Materialism: Wealth accumulation during the Roaring Twenties.

  • Social status: Rigid hierarchy despite the American Dream's promises.

  • Idealism: Belief that anyone can overcome their origins.

  • Corruption: Moral compromise in pursuit of wealth.

  • Disillusionment: Aspirational yet often disappointing reality.

  • Hope and Perseverance: Belief in overcoming difficulties via the American Dream.

Analytical Writing: Discussion Points

  • Focus on ideas, concerns, and tensions emerging from the text.

  • Ideas: Central themes (e.g., love, power, identity).

  • Tensions: Conflicts driving narrative and illustrating ideas.

  • Concerns: Issues highlighted by the author reflecting societal critiques.

Example Essay Question

  • Explore how 'The Great Gatsby' demonstrates the failings of 'The American Dream'.

Key Ideas for Essays

  • Social mobility, Morality, Materialism, Wealth, Happiness, Illusion.

  • Connect themes effectively to specific ideas in the text.

Tensions Illustrated in the Text

  • Gatsby vs. Tom Buchanan: New money vs. old money conflict.

  • Gatsby’s Internal Conflict: Idealism vs. harsh realities symbolized by the green light.

  • Valley of Ashes: Symbolizes moral decay beneath material wealth.

  • Daisy’s Choice: Highlights limitations of the American Dream for women.

  • Nick’s Disillusionment: Reflects a critical perspective on the American Dream.

Concerns Addressed by Fitzgerald

  • Critique of wealth obsession and moral decay in the 1920s.

  • Unrealistic goals of the American Dream leading to disappointment.

  • Persistent social inequalities and the impact of inherited wealth.

  • The corrupting nature of pursuing the American Dream.

Interpretations of Themes

  • Jay Gatsby as a tragic figure embodying the American Dream.

  • Symbolism of the green light: unattainable aspirations.

  • Admiration for dreamers juxtaposed with caution against obsession with illusions.