Seabiscuit Symbolism

“There is something quintessentially American about everyone in this story. [It’s about] triumph over hardship- that’s the journey toward the American dream” (“Seabiscuit”). That was a quote form Laura Hillenbrand, the author of Seabiscuit, an American Legend, a New York Times best-seller. The American dream is the ideal that every US citizens should have an equal opportunity to achieve success and prosperity through hard work, determination, and initiative. An influential character in American history who embodied this concept was Seabiscuit: a Thoroughbred racehorse who became an unlikely champion and a symbol of hope during the Great Depression. The rivalry between Seabiscuit and War Admiral demonstrated the contrasts that revolved around individual style and personality, race/culture, ideologies, and geography. The sport rivalries between decidedly different opponents help to represent particular symbolic qualities that represented Americans during that time. At their most basic level, they publicly express larger issues and concerns. This one rivalry between Seabiscuit and War Admiral serves through contrast to illuminate different value systems and norms …show more content…
Seabiscuit and Red Pollard symbolize how an over-worked horse and a broken-down jockey captured the imagination of the nation. The rivalry amidst Seabiscuit and War Admiral expressed the different values and lifestyles separating Americans during times of distress. Seabiscuit had a second chance, which is exactly what everyday Americans had hoped for; another chance in life. This horse invigorated many Americans; they were able to live out their dream through Seabiscuit. In the words of Gene Smith, “This is the story of every happy-ending fairytale that Mother read to us when we were in the nursery. And to a depression-ridden, anxious, frightened nation, it must have come like a great