In our world, there is a common misconception that everything is possible in the United States. For example, people often image a life with a spouse, home, and white picket fence. However, in reality, there is a huge difference between this common misconception that everyone can achieve this picture-perfect life and what life often entails for many. In fact, Gwendolyn Brooks’ “Kitchenette Building,” Langston Hughes’ “Let America Be America Again,” and William Faulkner’s “A Rose for Emily,” all explore this difference between the “American dream” and real life in America. Specifically, although approaching the subject in different ways, ultimately these three works all show that there are various common misconceptions associated with the American
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Specifically, in the story, Emily comes from a grandeur family and has a seemingly well-off life—so, many could argue that she had the American dream. However, in reality, this was very different—despite having such a nice house and being considered, “a tradition, a duty, and a care” (Faulkner), Emily herself actually lived a rather unfortunate life. That is, despite having grandeur and seemingly possessing the American dream through how her life appeared to be, she was far from living this picture-perfect life. For example, Emily’s life was seemingly perfect as her and her lover, Homer, were expected to get married. However, Homer disappeared and the town continued on living without really giving much thought to it. However, much later after Emily’s death, townspeople discover the decomposed corpse of Homer in an upstairs bedroom, and “a long strand of iron-grey hair” (Faulkner) on the pillow besides it. This flight of fancy illuminates the overall problem in American society that many people one’s life is seemingly perfect just based on how things appear to be. However, as Faulkner shows, this is far from reality, for, even if it seems like someone appears to be living the American dream, in reality they may be far from
Specifically, in the story, Emily comes from a grandeur family and has a seemingly well-off life—so, many could argue that she had the American dream. However, in reality, this was very different—despite having such a nice house and being considered, “a tradition, a duty, and a care” (Faulkner), Emily herself actually lived a rather unfortunate life. That is, despite having grandeur and seemingly possessing the American dream through how her life appeared to be, she was far from living this picture-perfect life. For example, Emily’s life was seemingly perfect as her and her lover, Homer, were expected to get married. However, Homer disappeared and the town continued on living without really giving much thought to it. However, much later after Emily’s death, townspeople discover the decomposed corpse of Homer in an upstairs bedroom, and “a long strand of iron-grey hair” (Faulkner) on the pillow besides it. This flight of fancy illuminates the overall problem in American society that many people one’s life is seemingly perfect just based on how things appear to be. However, as Faulkner shows, this is far from reality, for, even if it seems like someone appears to be living the American dream, in reality they may be far from