"Scott Fitzgerald and Lorraine Hansberry: The Debbie Downers On The American Dream"
When asked what makes up “the American Dream” two things come to mind: get rich and have a happy stable family. Within the two novels, “A Raisin in the Sun,” and “The Great Gatsby,” each shows, through the actions of the characters, the strife in pursuit of these goals.
Both books express the “get rich or die trying” scheme. In “A Raisin in the Sun,” all of the characters aren’t happy about where they live (the south side of Chicago) and how they’re treated by society. Money is portrayed as the ticket to solving all of their problems: it allows for Benetha to finish medical school, for mama to have the house she’s always wanted, and for Walter to gain respect. Over the years, Walter devised schemes for getting rich quick, and failed. Everything immediately changes when the family’s father dies, and they inherit his life insurance. This large sum of money opens up opportunities that seemed impossible beforehand. In the end of the novel though, Walter realizes money comes second to teaching morals to his son. The idea of becoming rich associates itself with corruptness because of the shady dealings and liquor that Walter wants to invest the money in.
This isn’t exactly how Gatsby feels in “the Great Gatsby.” Gatsby was a janitor and was raised on a farm when he was younger. He was a poor kid, wanting to become a rich man when he grew older. Upon meeting the caption of big yacht, and being taken under his wing, he became cultured and knowledgeable in the ways of the world. Investing his money in drugstores (similar to Walter, who wanted to invest in liquor stores), he slowly gained his fortune. To keep his fortune however, he had illegal dealings in order to gain more money. Gatsby is unsatisfied once he reaches his goal of becoming wealthy. He throws these lavish parties at his home, and he sits in a corner away from others, day dreaming that his lost love might show up. In fact, it is later revealed that the point of where his house was and all his nice things, were to impress a woman named Daisy. Once Gatsby and Daisy do reconnect, he stops throwing the parties. Although Gatsby was able to become wealthy, Walter was the smarter than him because of his quicker realization that money isn’t everything.
That leaves us with the more important of the two: a stable and happy family. This is something that is strived for in both novels profusely. Mama in “A Raisin in the Sun” wants a house, so that she can see her family together and happy. Walter realizes the importance of this at the end of the novel when he turns down a large sum of money in exchange for not moving into a house in a white neighborhood. By turning this offer down, the family also taught Walter’s son the importance of standing up for what you believe in. These types of lessons are what make up a cohesive and happy household because it allows for everyone to be on the same moral value standard.
In “the Great Gatsby,” Gatsby wants desperately to have a family with Daisy. Once he does reconnect with her, he tries to relive the past. Once Daisy’s husband Tom finds out about their love, he becomes outraged. On the very same day, Daisy and Gatsby crash a car into Tom’s mistress myrtle, killing her instantly. Tom then tells Mr. Wilson (Myrtle’s wife) that the driver was Gatsby (when it was actually Daisy), and then Mr. Wilson shoots Gatsby dead. Daisy thought she was going to live the American dream when she married Tom. She would become a wife, a mother, and live in a big house. After a few years she realizes it’s not all it’s cracked up to be. Gatsby’s failed attempt at a happy family is a big heart wrench for the readers of this novel.
In the end, these two authors write about the strife for the “American Dream,” but leave the actual achievement in shambles. “A Raisin in the Sun,” leaves the reader without knowing what happens at the house they move into and that the getting rich doesn’t matter/is only achievable with bad intentions. Yes, they are on living on same moral example which allows for short term happiness, but who’s to say that won’t change. Especially under the social pressures they’ll be faced with when they have to deal with the racist white people in the new community. The whole “get rich scheme” is shot down from the beginning of the novel, with silliness associated with Walter’s liquor store investment ideas. In “The Great Gatsby,” we can see from the types of characters who attend Gatsby’s get togethers, Gatsby, and Tom and Daisy, that being rich isn’t all that awesome. The main thesis the novel gives is that it brings corruptness to innocent people. Another strike for the American dream. Any attempt at a happy family is severely shot down in this novel too, with Gatsby’s death, Nick’s disregard for Ms. Baker, Tom and Daisy’s marriage, etc. At the end of these two novels, the reader is only left with one conclusion: the “American Dream” is unachievable.
But hey, I guess there’s a reason why it’s referred to as a dream. A dream is something that occurs during sleep. A person can’t live in a dream, but only be there for a few moments. A person can’t be happy forever is a point these authors try to convey with the unsuccessfulness of the character’s pursuits. The dream of being rich forever is accompanied with the notion that it is only possible through moral corruption and/or illegal dealings.
Words: 954
Words: 954
