Comparing The Theme Of The American Dream In The Film 'Fences'

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The American dream is a tough goal by itself, but it’s even harder when you don’t have anyone willing to support your dream with you, like your friends and family. The American dream in the film and in the texts suggest that the dreams the characters want to fulfill are only achievable if you have the support of the people around them like their friends and family. The American dream is a struggle to achieve without the help of your family. The first text this is seen in is from Death of a Salesman, when Biff wants to pursue his dream of being on a farm and not follow the dream of his dad of being a salesman, his dad is not supportive of him at all. His dad Willy says on page 15 “How can he find himself on a farm? Is that a life time thing? …show more content…

Similarly, in the book Fences, Cory wants to get into college by playing football even though his dad Troy doesn't like the idea of Cory playing football due to his prior experiences of race and discrimination and how he couldn’t make it to the league due to his skin color. Troy, even willing to hold Cory back, says “And ain’t no need for nobody coming around here to talk to me about signing nothing” (Wilson 35). Troy wants Cory to get a job and start making money because he thinks it’s a guarantee but fails to realize that times have changed and that his son has a great opportunity for his future, but Troy thinks his dream is more important than Cory’s dream. In the movie CODA when Frank and Jackie were talking in the bedroom about whether or not it was a right idea for Ruby to leave and go to college, her father Frank was supportive of her and didn’t want to hold her back while her …show more content…

In the movie CODA, Frank and Jackie were making Ruby prioritize her work on the boat over school and her dream of singing and this is seen when Jackie was talking to Ruby and saying how this new business will only be successful with Ruby because she is the only one that isn’t deaf (Hader). Jackie doesn't see that Ruby has talent and she needs to prioritize her music lessons over the family business if she wants to go to college. So instead of letting her go to the music lessons, she makes her stay and helps out around the business because that’s what Jackie wants her to do, not what Ruby wants to do. Also at Fences, Troy wanted Cory to get a job at the A&P because he doesn’t think Cory will be successful playing football. Troy says to Cory on page 35 “I thought we had an understanding of this football stuff. You are supposed to keep up with your chores and hold that job down at the A&P” (Wilson 35). Troy doesn’t want Cory playing football and would rather have him get a job that no one can take from him, but Troy doesn’t see how Cory has an opportunity to go to college and play football, Troy would rather force Cory to get a job instead of letting Cory pursue his dream. In the book Death of a Salesman, Willy wants Biff to carry out his dreams of being a wealthy and famous salesman but Biff doesn't want to be a salesman and wants to be on a farm instead. Biff on page

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