Raisin In The Sun Ethos

Embedded in the Declaration of Independence in the United States is the American dream. It is asserted that “all men were created equal” with everyone having the right to liberty, life and equal chances in life. In addition, is apparent that the American Dream has been the core guide of Americans and their young ones as they endeavour to rise and transcend barriers in their social and economic lives. This is even more elaborate in the history of America citing the fact that the American Dream acts as the national ethos. Consequentially, the American dream is imminent in the lives of Americans and although its components have adjusted over the centuries, it remains sturdy nationally. Notably, different individuals and societal cohorts have …show more content…
In Raisin in the Sun, Travis is depicted as not much of a spoiled child although some of his behaviours create the view that he is spoiled. An example is when he protests in Act I, scene I, that he will get fifty cents from his grandmother if his mother refuses to give him “I don’t ask her, she just gimme it sometimes” (613). However, the other side of Travis, which also portrays his side of the American dream, is the willingness to bag groceries at a local store in order to make money. Travis is striving for independence. His dream is to provide for himself. On the other hand, Biff’s portrayal of the American Dream as inclusive of independence is when he refuses to follow his father’s path of being a businessman. He wants to farm and work hard with his own hands. These two characters believe in the need to detach from family and gaining financial independence and …show more content…
In The Death of a Salesman, the idea that Willy has of success and the path to attaining his dream is misguided. In addition, he blindly lets his sons follow his ideas but they all end up failing. Willy is engrossed in a whirlwind of self-generated concepts that he follows to achieve his dream. He lives a slanted reality that somehow bars him from achieving any worthwhile success. Willy believes that success – the American Dream – is demonstrated through someone that is rich, well-liked and with a good personality. His wife Linda says “I don’t say he’s a great man. Willy Loman never made a lot of money. His name was never in the paper. He’s not the finest character that ever lived” (231). This portrays the perception of the Lomans that success is through first being liked by people then creating wealth. It was all a lie as Biff discovered and noted “I realized what a ridiculous lie my whole life has been” (258). Contrastingly, Charles and his son Bernard though not guided by Willy’s personality theory have made it in life. Bernard is a successful lawyer and his father is a successful businessman and they do not adhere to Willy’s