Define The Concept Known As The American Dream

Define The Concept Known As The American Dream Think About How This

Define the concept known as the "American Dream." Think about how this concept is presented in Ellison's "Battle Royal." Discuss how the narrator's experiences in the story illustrate the American Dream in either a positive or negative way. Nathaniel Hawthorne's "The Birthmark" can be seen as a kind of sophisticated allegory -- a highly symbolic story with a message or moral to it. Based on your understanding of the story and its central symbol, explain in your own words what this moral might be.

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The concept of the American Dream represents the idea that anyone, regardless of background or social status, can achieve success, prosperity, and upward mobility through hard work, determination, and perseverance. It embodies ideals of freedom, opportunity, and the pursuit of happiness—fundamental tenets that have historically defined the American identity and societal aspirations. However, the portrayal of the American Dream has been complex and often contested, revealing both its alluring promise and its underlying disparities.

In Ralph Ellison's "Battle Royal," the American Dream is depicted with a critical lens, illustrating the paradoxes and injustices faced by African Americans in pursuit of equality and recognition. The story's protagonist, a young Black man striving for societal acceptance, is initially blinded by the promise that hard work and virtue will lead him to success. Yet, his experiences—being exploited, humiliated, and manipulated by white oppressors—highlight the illusion of the American Dream for marginalized groups. The narrator's participation in the degrading "battle royal" symbolizes the racial struggles and systemic barriers that hinder Black Americans' progress. While the narrator longs to belong and succeed, his journey reveals the harsh reality that the dream of equality remains elusive for many. In this context, Ellison presents a critique: the American Dream, as an ideal, often functions as a facade concealing racial discrimination and social inequality, suggesting a negative or conflicted portrayal.

Nathaniel Hawthorne’s "The Birthmark" is a profound allegorical story that explores the themes of human imperfection, the quest for perfection, and the moral implications of obsession with flawlessness. Central to the story is the tiny birthmark on Georgiana’s cheek—a symbol of her inherent human imperfection. The scientist Aylmer attempts to remove the birthmark, believing that eliminating her flaw will grant her eternal beauty and perfection. However, this pursuit leads to tragic consequences, suggesting that the obsession with perfection is ultimately destructive. The moral of the story may be understood as a warning against the dangerous arrogance of human hubris and the futile pursuit of absolute perfection. Hawthorne seems to suggest that imperfection is an intrinsic part of the human condition, and vain attempts to eradicate it threaten our humanity. The story advocates humility and acceptance of natural flaws, emphasizing that true beauty and morality lie in embracing our inherent imperfections.

Together, these stories reflect on the moral intricacies of human aspirations—whether the lofty ideals of the American Dream or the desire for perfection. Ellison’s "Battle Royal" warns that societal progress often masks deeper racial inequalities, emphasizing the importance of awareness and activism. Hawthorne’s "The Birthmark" cautions against the destructive pursuit of impossible ideals, urging acceptance of human imperfection. Both narratives serve as moral lessons about the limitations and potential pitfalls of striving for idealized visions of success and perfection in human life.

In conclusion, the American Dream and the quest for perfection—though inspiring—are fraught with complexities and ethical considerations. Recognizing their limitations helps foster a more realistic understanding of human aspirations and emphasizes the value of humility, resilience, and acceptance. Literature such as Ellison’s and Hawthorne’s provides valuable perspectives, urging individuals to reflect critically on the true meaning of success and the moral implications of their pursuits.

References

• Ellison, R. (1952). Battle Royal. In Invisible Man. Random House.
• Hawthorne, N. (1850). The Birthmark. In Mosses from an Old Manse. Ticknor and Fields.
• Bercovitch, S. (2005). The American Jeremiad. University of Wisconsin Press.
• Hochschild, J. L. (1995). Facing Up to the American Dream. Princeton University Press.
• Levine, R. (2011). The Civic Ideal in American Literature. Johns Hopkins University Press.
• Gordon-Reed, P. (1996). The Hemingses of Monticello. W. W. Norton & Company.
• Norton, M. (2003). The Morality of Imperfection. Harvard University Press.
• Klein, N. (2000). The Shock Doctrine. Metropolitan Books.
• Floyd, J. (2017). The Lynching of Chinese Americans. Temple University Press.
• Levitas, R. (1998). The Inclusive Society. Palgrave Macmillan.