How to Achieve the American Dream The American Dream is an ideal lifestyle many believe to be achievable through hard work and determination. This is the striving thought that forces thousands of US immigrants and native born Americans alike to work until they achieve success. However, life in America is not always easy; especially for those who consist of the lower class. The American Dream is only possible if one is able to overcome the obstacles that interfere. The characters in
A Raisin in the Sun and The Old Man and the Sea were able to overcome the obstacles facing them to achieve their dreams; conversely, it is not always so simple, as displayed by those in The Jungle and Of Mice and Men. Life in the world of A Raisin in the Sun …show more content…
Their lives in the United States consist of work, poverty, and illness. Not only are they forced to work jobs that point-blank undesirable, they work long hours and are paid wages that are hardly anything. The family bought what they thought was a new house quickly after arriving in Chicago, this home ended up taking the life of Antanas, Jurgis’s father, due to improper sewage disposal and proved to be a money drain as new fees continued to emerge. In Packingtown, any mishap can bring ruin upon a family, when Jurgis sprains his ankle at work, their already difficult lives become anguish. Ona, Jurgis's wife, is forced into lying and prostitution in efforts to maintain the life they have been living. When Jurgis finds out, the anger that has been building inside of him is released upon Ona’s boss, Connor, who happens to be the one who she committed adultery with. Jurgis’s attack on Connor put him in prison for a month. When he is released, Jurgis discovers that his family has been evicted from their home and they are living at the run-down boarding house they had first stayed at when they arrived in Chicago. Upon his arrival at the boarding house, Jurgis discovers that Ona is in premature labor—which kills both her and the baby. After her death, Jurgis dedicates …show more content…
It is obvious that Lennie has a mental illness, which often causes problems and leads to the loss of jobs. George does everything in his power to protect and care for the both of them. They arrive at a new ranch after having to run from the old one due to problems Lennie created as a result of his love for soft things such as mice, puppies, clothing, and even hair. On the ranch, there are just a few men—one of whom is married to a very flirtatious woman. The men use derogatory terms to describe her, but Lennie is infatuated by her ‘purtyness’. George instructs Lennie to stay away, mind to himself, and do his work. But one night while most of the men are at the local brothel, Lennie stays at the ranch. While playing with some puppies, Curley's wife comes in and begins telling Lennie her life story. Lennie has trouble listening as his cognitive abilities are quite low and he is extremely distracted by the woman. She notices him staring at her hair and offers to let him feel, knowing he loves the touch of softness. Lennie quickly becomes excited and tightens his grip on her hair. She struggles to wriggle out of his grip, but Lennie is extremely strong and the more she flounders, the tighter Lennie hold her. His grip tightens so much he snaps her neck, killing the woman instantly. After realizing what he has done, he flees to the clearing where George
A Raisin in the Sun and The Old Man and the Sea were able to overcome the obstacles facing them to achieve their dreams; conversely, it is not always so simple, as displayed by those in The Jungle and Of Mice and Men. Life in the world of A Raisin in the Sun …show more content…
Their lives in the United States consist of work, poverty, and illness. Not only are they forced to work jobs that point-blank undesirable, they work long hours and are paid wages that are hardly anything. The family bought what they thought was a new house quickly after arriving in Chicago, this home ended up taking the life of Antanas, Jurgis’s father, due to improper sewage disposal and proved to be a money drain as new fees continued to emerge. In Packingtown, any mishap can bring ruin upon a family, when Jurgis sprains his ankle at work, their already difficult lives become anguish. Ona, Jurgis's wife, is forced into lying and prostitution in efforts to maintain the life they have been living. When Jurgis finds out, the anger that has been building inside of him is released upon Ona’s boss, Connor, who happens to be the one who she committed adultery with. Jurgis’s attack on Connor put him in prison for a month. When he is released, Jurgis discovers that his family has been evicted from their home and they are living at the run-down boarding house they had first stayed at when they arrived in Chicago. Upon his arrival at the boarding house, Jurgis discovers that Ona is in premature labor—which kills both her and the baby. After her death, Jurgis dedicates …show more content…
It is obvious that Lennie has a mental illness, which often causes problems and leads to the loss of jobs. George does everything in his power to protect and care for the both of them. They arrive at a new ranch after having to run from the old one due to problems Lennie created as a result of his love for soft things such as mice, puppies, clothing, and even hair. On the ranch, there are just a few men—one of whom is married to a very flirtatious woman. The men use derogatory terms to describe her, but Lennie is infatuated by her ‘purtyness’. George instructs Lennie to stay away, mind to himself, and do his work. But one night while most of the men are at the local brothel, Lennie stays at the ranch. While playing with some puppies, Curley's wife comes in and begins telling Lennie her life story. Lennie has trouble listening as his cognitive abilities are quite low and he is extremely distracted by the woman. She notices him staring at her hair and offers to let him feel, knowing he loves the touch of softness. Lennie quickly becomes excited and tightens his grip on her hair. She struggles to wriggle out of his grip, but Lennie is extremely strong and the more she flounders, the tighter Lennie hold her. His grip tightens so much he snaps her neck, killing the woman instantly. After realizing what he has done, he flees to the clearing where George