A Wonderful Life: The American Dream

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It’s a Wonderful Life is an American classic filled with nostalgia, life lessons and seasonal cheer. The musical adaptation of the film entitled A Wonderful Life, created by Sheldon Harnick and Joe Raposo, utilizes those same emotional elements to transfer the beloved story from film to stage. At its core, A Wonderful Life remains a celebration of home, family, community and the American dream. Throughout the history of the United States, there have been contrasting visions of the “good life” or the national dream. The story of how these competing visions have played out in our history leads to an important question: What is the American dream? The term “American dream” wasn’t coined until 1931; though, the founding fathers raised a version …show more content…

Among the programs involved in the New Deal was the 1934 National Housing Act, which the government designed to spur home construction and ownership. By 1940, home-ownership was steadily rising and businesses like the Bailey Building and Loan Association were able to assist young families in buying a home. One in eight Americans served in WWII in some form and veterans returning home wanted the security of knowing the financial rug would not be pulled out from under them again. According to Tom Bailey this need for home is rooted “deep in the human soul for a man to want his own roof, his own walls, his own fireplace.” To provide Americans with much needed assurance, FDR and his advisors created a “post-war social contract” and shared this contract with the American public in the 1944 State of the Union Address. Roosevelt redefined the American dream by executing the GI Bill and, according to urban policy expert Matt Lassiter, outlined the expectation "if you worked hard and played by the rules, you deserved certain things. You deserved security and decent shelter and to not have to worry that you might lose your house to bankruptcy.” To, once again reference Tom Bailey, Americans simply wanted to be one of the lucky ones, one of the favored few, who were able to earn their …show more content…

The Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines the American dream as “an American social ideal that stresses egalitarianism and especially material prosperity.” Material wealth is often viewed as the hallmark of a successful life and the pinnacle of the American Dream. This perception of the American dream can make people without great financial wealth feel as though they have failed. George spends the entirety of A Wonderful Life desperately in search of the best opportunity, the most exotic trip or whatever else he thinks will satisfy his pursuit of happiness. He negotiates his way through the ever-changing time periods yet stays focused on the idea of monetary wealth as the ultimate characterization of success. Meanwhile, the new American dream is focusing on the desire for home ownership and George does not realize the importance of his role in making this a reality for members of the community. Mary Bailey perfectly models this value by stating “I don't need a mansion, one small room will do. I’ll have a wonderful life if I have

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