The American Dream Reflection
Kevin Kim
Ms. Kindle
AP English
8/28/2013
"The American Dream Reflection" The American Dream is a social ideal life of the US that involves prosperity and happiness for a family. The Grapes of Wrath narrates the situation the Joad Family has to go through to pursue their dreams during the Dust Bowl and the Great Depression. The Joads had to travel all the way to California from Oklahoma to try and achieve a new prosperous life. In Long Day 's Journey into Night, Tyrone 's family basically only lacked happiness and unity as a family during the post-depression era. The Grapes of Wrath and Long Day 's Journey into Night both shows opposing views of the American Dream by showing the difference between the family desires from different eras and needs. Although both families are trying to pursue happiness in two individual aspects, the Joad Family struggles to achieve their desires financially; on the other hand, Tyrone 's family is not completely united together but is more financially stable. The Joads were closer together as a family even though there were still some separations while chasing their dreams. For instance, when Connie left Rose of Sharon in The Grapes of Wrath, Rose of Sharon started to lose hope and worry. She was having a baby with Connie and she did not know if anything was going to be fine. However, even though this happened Ma tried to comfort her and Pa tried to show her how bad Connie was so she would let go of him (Steinbeck 378-381). These actions show that the immediate family was stronger and closer together. This family could support each other mentally and emotionally better than Tyrone 's family. For instance, Tyrone would constantly argue with his family. Edmond turns on the light around midnight after bumping into something in the dark. Edmond only turned on one light bulb; however, Tyrone acts like Edmond just raised the electric bills to a whole new price (O 'Neil 793). This kind of arguments constantly happens throughout the
Ms. Kindle
AP English
8/28/2013
"The American Dream Reflection" The American Dream is a social ideal life of the US that involves prosperity and happiness for a family. The Grapes of Wrath narrates the situation the Joad Family has to go through to pursue their dreams during the Dust Bowl and the Great Depression. The Joads had to travel all the way to California from Oklahoma to try and achieve a new prosperous life. In Long Day 's Journey into Night, Tyrone 's family basically only lacked happiness and unity as a family during the post-depression era. The Grapes of Wrath and Long Day 's Journey into Night both shows opposing views of the American Dream by showing the difference between the family desires from different eras and needs. Although both families are trying to pursue happiness in two individual aspects, the Joad Family struggles to achieve their desires financially; on the other hand, Tyrone 's family is not completely united together but is more financially stable. The Joads were closer together as a family even though there were still some separations while chasing their dreams. For instance, when Connie left Rose of Sharon in The Grapes of Wrath, Rose of Sharon started to lose hope and worry. She was having a baby with Connie and she did not know if anything was going to be fine. However, even though this happened Ma tried to comfort her and Pa tried to show her how bad Connie was so she would let go of him (Steinbeck 378-381). These actions show that the immediate family was stronger and closer together. This family could support each other mentally and emotionally better than Tyrone 's family. For instance, Tyrone would constantly argue with his family. Edmond turns on the light around midnight after bumping into something in the dark. Edmond only turned on one light bulb; however, Tyrone acts like Edmond just raised the electric bills to a whole new price (O 'Neil 793). This kind of arguments constantly happens throughout the
Cited: O 'Neill, Eugene. "Long Day 's Journey into Night." Complete Plays, 1932-1943. New York, NY: Literary Classics of the United States, 1988. N. pag. Print. Steinbeck, John. The Grapes of Wrath. New York: Viking, 1939. Print.