American Dream Ideology

“Making it in America” has been the source of drive and motivation for a countless number of people with dreams of fulfilling the end goal of the American Dream. The American Dream is often depicted as the “white picket fence”, owning a dog, and BBQing with neighbors on the weekends while talking about football. Overtime, this concept of reaching this materialistic goal as changed along with the values America holds to itself. The idea American Dream has shifted from the desire of material possession, to the craving for true love, to a need for community and creativity. But, the true ideology of the “American Dream”, is that of every shift combined. Economic stability, love, and a sense of belonging.
In Death of a Salesman

by Arthur Miller, a lonely businessman named Willy believes that he is on a road that will lead him straight to the American Dream, a dream that he has always wanted. Willy’s interpretation of the American Dream is that a well-liked and successful businessman is able to afford and cherish every material possession that society has lead him to believe that he needs in order to be happy. Such as a house in a suburban neighborhood surrounded by the white picket fence. The white picket fence has been depicted in several movies as the “perfect” home and the image of success and proper upbringing. Willy believes that if he works hard, he will achieve this dream, but he refuses to believe that his current job is getting him nowhere and is only providing enough for him to survive. No economic stability. Throughout the play, Willy begins to lose his sense of identity and is unwilling to accept the changes happening around him, i.e. the apartments built around what was his perfect home and the advancements in his field of work.
Jay Gatsby from The Great Gatsby written by F. Scott Fitzgerald shares the same desire as Willy from Death of a Salesman. Gatsby is the image of the “American Dream”. He has the money, the parties, the luxuries, but he is missing the love. Jay Gatsby has what Willy Loman wants. Willy Loman wants the popularity and the material possessions that the American Dream brings, but those elements are not what will bring happiness. These elements and values only bring happiness temporarily. Deep, human connection is what brings happiness that will last for a lifetime.
Stemming off of human connection, Courtney E. Martin’s Ted Talk discusses the forever changing concept of the “American Dream”. Martin describes the stereotypical American Dream as being a house owner, being the perfect family in the perfect suburban neighborhood, and having those materialistic possessions that bring you comfort. She throws this concept in the trash by stating that the Great Recession is bringing a desire for a sense of belonging and community in order to obtain the happiness that the American Dream promises. Willy Loman is in desperate need of this sense of belonging because he gradually loses his identity and questions why he is even alive. He believes that he would be better off dead so his son could prosper by using Willy’s life insurance money. If Willy had this community and sense of belonging that Martin discusses, he would not felt so hopeless while searching for his American Dream.
The stereotypical American Dream is not for everyone. The white picket fence and the flawless lawn will not bring joy to all. The concept of the American Dream is constantly changing along with the values that society holds to itself in America. No one can ever achieve the perfect end goal in life because of the constant shifting of what people desire. Willy Loman felt hopeless because he spent his whole life running after something that will always run faster, the perfect life in the eyes of society.