Behold The Dreamers By Imbolo Mbue

All individuals strive to be successful and achieve their goals. Imbolo Mbue’s novel Behold the Dreamers shows the lives of two different families, from very opposite worlds. The Jongas came from a poor small town in Cameroon. With little to no personal possessions or connections in America, the Jongas had to rebuild their lives from the beginning. On the opposite side of the spectrum were the Edwards, a wealthy family from the Upper East Side. The Edwards were living the American dream and having anything anyone could ever want. But their lives weren’t as perfect as they seemed. Both families were very different, yet they both fought to make it in the world. Although the Edwards and Jongas came from different economic landscapes, they both faced challenges regarding wealth and poverty through struggles with dreams, family, and belonging.
Both the Jongas and Edwards were dreamers, striving to be successful individuals. Having Dreams influenced the way Neni and Jende lived their everyday life. Jende states, “If I stay in my country, I would have become nothing. I would have remained nothing… But in America, sir? I can become something. I can even become a respectable man” (39). Each day the Jongas spent in America presented them with new challenges. But that did not stop the couple from constantly striving to reach prosperity. …show more content…
The Jongas left their old lives to chase their dreams, and seek new opportunities. America had presented Neni and Jende with many challenges, but also many opportunities for success. Both the Edwards and Jongas were willing to give up their own hopes and dreams to sacrifice everything for their children. Jende and Neni came to the conclusion that the only place they truly belonged was Limbe. Vince was able to discover truth and belonging when he quit law school. Through dreams, family, and belonging the Jongas and Edwards were able to overcome challenges regarding wealth and