Richard Rodriguez American Dream

Wealth plays a massive role in America. Society places a lot of attention on celebrities and other people with enormous fortunes. Americans constantly read about these wealthy people in magazines or watch them on television, desiring to have a similar life. The American Dream is the idea if people work hard, they will be able to obtain their own fortune. Numerous people believe that having a massive amount of money can resolve many of your problems. However, author Richard Rodriguez showcases the harm that wealth can potentially bring. Rodriguez explores how wealth has affected his family by recalling their interactions with each on Christmas Day. In this passage by Richard Rodriguez, Rodriguez’s usage of language and his choice of …show more content…
While everyone is preparing to leave the house, Rodriguez’ mother waves to goodbye “to no one in particular” by the door. None of Rodriguez’s siblings are said to be waving back at their mother. Rodriguez also notices that his mother looked “very small” and “worried.” When a person feels really small, it usually means that the person feels unimportant. Rodriguez's mother feels very insignificant as she watches all of her children rush to their cars. Rodriguez’s siblings consider their career obligations more important than their relationships with their mother. His mother realizes that her family is growing apart, but does not know how to change the family’s current dynamic. She worries that the family will eventually become completely detached. Although the siblings are not waving back at her, she continues to wave at them in an attempt to maintain her relationship with her children. Once Rodriguez’s mother notices his father outside without a coat, she asks him to place a coat over his shoulders. As Rodriguez puts the coat on over his father, he feels “the thinness of his arms.” As a person grows older, their bones become extremely fragile. Rodriguez’s father has become very weak and possibly even sick. However, none of the siblings notice their father’s deteriorating health. Rodriguez does not even notice how weak his father is until he feels his arms. In fact, only his mother is aware of their father’s health. The siblings are wrapped up with their own priorities to pay attention to their father’s well being. Rodriguez’s mother recognizes her husband’s poor health as she is not blinded by the glamours of wealth, like Rodriguez's siblings. Rodriguez’s language and choice of his details showcases how the American Dream of material success has damaged his parent’s relationship with their