The Great Gatsby & the American Dream

Image result for america west side story gif
The phrase "American Dream" summons the image of an immigrant, riding on a boat in New York, looking up at the Statue of Liberty with $20 in their pocket, coming to America to make a new life for themselves. I would describe the "American Dream" as the equal opportunity to achieve success regardless of background or upbringing. One of my favorite musicals (partly because I love Leonard Bernstein), West Side Story, tells an immigrant narrative in New York.  One of the characters, Anita, sings the song, "America", along with other characters. The song describes the positive aspects of American life while also highlighting the hypocrisy of the "American Dream" because of anti-immigrant prejudice. The lyrics go:
GIRLS
Life is all right in America
BOYS

If you're all white in America

GIRLS

Here you are free and you have pride
BOYS
Long as you stay on your own side
GIRLS
Free to be anything you choose
BOYS
Free to wait tables and shine shoes


The music features to ethnic gangs. The Sharks is a group of Puerto Ricans that immigrated to the United States. They came to America to find a better life, and find success through hard work and determination. Though in America, there is great opportunity, there is still not equal opportunity. This song expresses the obstacles that immigrants face. The line "if you're all white in America" is a nod to racial discrimination, the line "long as you stay on your own side" refers to xenophobia, the line "free to wait tables and shine shoes" refers to the difficulty to find work and success as an immigrant. The "American Dream" derived from the British settlers that fled America to avoid religious persecution and declared independence. America became known as the place that can offer this story of success to everyone. While some, do find the "American Dream", America is still trying to make it achievable for everybody. 

*Side note: Bernstein does something very clever with the song, "America." The song is pro-American yet uses a Latin musical style. Ironic!


Comments

  1. UnknownApril 2, 2017 at 5:14 PM

    I agree with your definition of what the "American Dream" is. I also really like how you used westside story to support your point. I think the song you used is a great example of the american dream vs. reality, and this is also one of my favorite musicals

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  2. UnknownApril 2, 2017 at 8:59 PM

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  3. UnknownApril 2, 2017 at 9:03 PM

    Hola JWhip, I think what you wrote about what people visualize when they hear "the American Dream" is very true for most. I definitely agree with you that there is great opportunity in America, but I would have liked to see you write more about why/how that opportunity is not equally available to all, then (in the time frame of West Side Story) and now. Also, what role do you think wealth has in perpetuating this inequality? (makes me think of the Great Gatsby scenario...can we buy our way into higher social strata in this day and age?)

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