Joe Keller's 'American Dream'
WEALTH AND THE AMERICAN DREAM
DESCRIPTION OF THE THEME
The American Dream and money play a massive part in the play and are both key themes throughout the play. Joe Keller’s obsession with this American Dream drives him to his death. Their persistence on having the classic American household creates tension and a sense of false reality. The classic family business that creates a sustainable income through the hard work that Keller put in, and is meant to be carried down to the son creates the sense of a happy family at the beginning of the play although changes to a obsession and guilt trap later on. Chris on the other hand, wants anything but the American Dream to be his reality, he wants to live his own life. This theme is portrayed …show more content…
He strongly believes that having money and success is what gains his respect from others and ultimately this is what drives him to his death at the end of the novel. He is too focused on his goal of success and the American Dream that he forgets about humanity and social responsibility. The business was the only thing that he had, and because of his lack of education, he was willing to sacrifice anything to keep the business going. He wants his son to inherit the business and is very manipulative when he blames his son for his crime. None of his actions were out of love and affection, he was driven by his obsession with the American dream and how he would be perceived by …show more content…
Sue wants her husband to remain as a doctor, however he wishes to go into research and therefore help humanity with his findings. However due to his wife and her realism and selfishness, wealth and the concept of the American Dream is once again prioritized over humanity. This is also enforced with Keller’s actions in regards to his crime. Her selfishness as a result of the American Dream is shown again as she requests for Ann and Chris to move away, in order so she could live a comfortable life with a husband who is earning a doctor’s salary, not a researcher’s
DESCRIPTION OF THE THEME
The American Dream and money play a massive part in the play and are both key themes throughout the play. Joe Keller’s obsession with this American Dream drives him to his death. Their persistence on having the classic American household creates tension and a sense of false reality. The classic family business that creates a sustainable income through the hard work that Keller put in, and is meant to be carried down to the son creates the sense of a happy family at the beginning of the play although changes to a obsession and guilt trap later on. Chris on the other hand, wants anything but the American Dream to be his reality, he wants to live his own life. This theme is portrayed …show more content…
He strongly believes that having money and success is what gains his respect from others and ultimately this is what drives him to his death at the end of the novel. He is too focused on his goal of success and the American Dream that he forgets about humanity and social responsibility. The business was the only thing that he had, and because of his lack of education, he was willing to sacrifice anything to keep the business going. He wants his son to inherit the business and is very manipulative when he blames his son for his crime. None of his actions were out of love and affection, he was driven by his obsession with the American dream and how he would be perceived by …show more content…
Sue wants her husband to remain as a doctor, however he wishes to go into research and therefore help humanity with his findings. However due to his wife and her realism and selfishness, wealth and the concept of the American Dream is once again prioritized over humanity. This is also enforced with Keller’s actions in regards to his crime. Her selfishness as a result of the American Dream is shown again as she requests for Ann and Chris to move away, in order so she could live a comfortable life with a husband who is earning a doctor’s salary, not a researcher’s