American Dream

Definition

The American Dream is the national ethos of the United States, centered around the belief that anyone, regardless of their background, can achieve success and upward mobility through hard work and determination. It is often represented as the pursuit of happiness, financial stability, and personal freedom, and it significantly shaped the narratives portrayed during Hollywood's Golden Age and the Studio System era.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. During Hollywood's Golden Age, films often depicted characters striving for the American Dream, illustrating themes of hope, resilience, and success against all odds.
2. The American Dream became intertwined with the idea of home ownership, especially post-World War II when suburbanization took off in America, promoting a lifestyle that many films celebrated.
3. The Studio System allowed for controlled narratives that portrayed an idealized version of the American Dream, often glossing over real societal issues like inequality and discrimination.
4. Cinematic portrayals of the American Dream in this era frequently featured rags-to-riches stories, reinforcing the notion that anyone could achieve greatness with perseverance.
5. While many films highlighted success stories, they also often overlooked the barriers faced by marginalized groups in achieving their own version of the American Dream.

Review Questions

• How did films from Hollywood's Golden Age reflect and shape perceptions of the American Dream?
  • Films from Hollywood's Golden Age often mirrored societal values and aspirations surrounding the American Dream by showcasing characters who overcame adversity to achieve success. These narratives reinforced the idea that hard work could lead to prosperity, creating an optimistic view of life in America. The portrayal of this dream helped solidify it as a core component of American identity during that time.
• In what ways did the Studio System influence the representation of social issues related to the American Dream in films?
  • The Studio System controlled film production in a way that often sanitized or simplified complex social issues related to the American Dream. By focusing on idealized narratives of success and prosperity, studios tended to ignore or downplay realities such as economic inequality and racial discrimination. This selective storytelling shaped public perceptions by presenting a more homogenized view of what achieving the American Dream looked like.
• Critically evaluate how portrayals of the American Dream in Hollywood films have changed since the Golden Age, particularly regarding social justice movements.
  • Since Hollywood's Golden Age, portrayals of the American Dream have evolved significantly, especially with the rise of social justice movements that demand representation and equity. Modern films often highlight diverse experiences and systemic challenges faced by marginalized groups in pursuing their dreams. This shift reflects a broader cultural recognition that the American Dream is not equally accessible to everyone, challenging traditional narratives and encouraging more inclusive storytelling that addresses real-life struggles while still aspiring for success.

Related terms

Consumerism: The cultural phenomenon where buying goods and services is seen as a means to achieve happiness and success, closely tied to the American Dream during the post-World War II era.

Hollywood Blacklist: A period in the late 1940s and early 1950s when various individuals in the entertainment industry were denied employment due to alleged communist ties, impacting the portrayal of the American Dream in films.

Studio System: The method of film production and distribution dominated by major Hollywood studios from the 1920s to the 1960s, which played a key role in shaping film narratives around the American Dream.