What in life makes one truly happy, and is it relatively attainable? Throughout our lives, we are constantly instructed and motivated by this idea that wealth and power bring joy, and we dedicate our existence working towards that goal. Fame and affluence are idolized, and there is a craving to be in the places of those who “made it”. This unseen mask that others put on is deceiving and immensely misleading towards admirers. Although one might say that money can buy happiness, the American Dream is reaching the point in one’s life in which they can personally believe that they are satisfied with what they have and don’t own a desire for needing more.
The American Dream is not reaching tons of wealth and obtaining the utmost amount of money …show more content…
In the story, Secret Life of Walter Mitty, by James Thurber, there is a clear instance of someone trying to withdraw from their sensibility. Walter’s wife commands him to “remember to get those overshoes while [she’s] having [her] hair done” (626). Walter “[doesn't] need overshoes”, however, his wife who has “been all through that” believes “[Walter is] not a young man any longer” (626). Throughout the story, Walter Mitty has been avoiding his reality through daydreams. He is troubled with the controlling wife that he is wedded to, and he witnesses, no joy out of the life he currently lives. Walter is constantly commanded that he needs to grow up, yet he is falling behind. Moreover, he perceives that he is already so far off that there is no point in hope. Walter has not reached the American Dream, and he recognizes that. Furthermore, his dread for his life is seen when he visits town, since “in a way he hated these weekly trips to town—he was always getting something wrong” (627). Walter is having a tough time with his current situation. He has a lousy memory, a governing wife, and he doesn't seem like he belongs, or at least wants to reside. Moreover, he has no motivation anymore, so he flees from reality into dreams that would represent what he desires in life. The overall theme of all of his dreams is that he is a recognized and skilled leader. Whether it is guiding a ship, performing a surgery, or being testified in court, Walter is constantly trying to play this role of someone who is prestigious and respected, someone with a purpose. To conclude, the apparatus in life that makes him delighted, his American Dream, is being performed through his daydreams due to the hopeless life that he is facing in the real
The American Dream is not reaching tons of wealth and obtaining the utmost amount of money …show more content…
In the story, Secret Life of Walter Mitty, by James Thurber, there is a clear instance of someone trying to withdraw from their sensibility. Walter’s wife commands him to “remember to get those overshoes while [she’s] having [her] hair done” (626). Walter “[doesn't] need overshoes”, however, his wife who has “been all through that” believes “[Walter is] not a young man any longer” (626). Throughout the story, Walter Mitty has been avoiding his reality through daydreams. He is troubled with the controlling wife that he is wedded to, and he witnesses, no joy out of the life he currently lives. Walter is constantly commanded that he needs to grow up, yet he is falling behind. Moreover, he perceives that he is already so far off that there is no point in hope. Walter has not reached the American Dream, and he recognizes that. Furthermore, his dread for his life is seen when he visits town, since “in a way he hated these weekly trips to town—he was always getting something wrong” (627). Walter is having a tough time with his current situation. He has a lousy memory, a governing wife, and he doesn't seem like he belongs, or at least wants to reside. Moreover, he has no motivation anymore, so he flees from reality into dreams that would represent what he desires in life. The overall theme of all of his dreams is that he is a recognized and skilled leader. Whether it is guiding a ship, performing a surgery, or being testified in court, Walter is constantly trying to play this role of someone who is prestigious and respected, someone with a purpose. To conclude, the apparatus in life that makes him delighted, his American Dream, is being performed through his daydreams due to the hopeless life that he is facing in the real