The idea of the American Dream has been a topic for many stories in literature. This includes the difficulties and often, the disillusionment that is associated with the possible attainment of the American Dream. Essentially, many individuals are willing to engage in dissolute actions in an attempt to improve their financial and social status. Two stories that indicate the dangers of following the American Dream include “Paul’s Case” and “Winter’s Dreams.” “Paul’s Case” was written by the American writer Willa Cather. “Winter’s Dreams” was written by F. Scott Fitzgerald, who famously wrote The Great Gatsby about the tragedy of chasing the American dream.
In the Cather story, Paul is a high school boy who dreams of achieving a life of travel and riches. His father hopes that he will become a solid and respectable individual, even if working class. Paul is disgusted at this option. He works at Carnegie Hall and imagines a life of riches. In one scene, his English teacher, a person with a college education, arrives at the Hall. Paul is not happy to wait on his teacher; however, he is pleased to note that the teacher’s clothes are not appropriate. The teacher is middle-class and does not have the luxurious clothes that Paul dreams of. However, Paul fails to realize that his teacher has still reached a higher socioeconomic status in life. Paul would rather imagine a life of luxury than work for a decent standard of living with an education. Rather, Paul is appalled that he lives in a poor, working class neighborhood. He dreams of traveling in Venice and other luxurious places. Paul isolates himself from everyone through the telling of lies about his glamourous life; those who work in the theater actually recognize that their lives are hard work, not glamorous. Still, Paul is not willing to work for his dreams. Paul fails to realize this. Paul steals money to fund a lavish trip to New York City. He lives the life that he dreams about with expensive clothes and hotels. In the end of the story, he realizes that he has not achieved this life. He commits suicide. Paul’s attempt to live a luxurious life finally leads to his downfall.
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"The American Dream".
This is similar to the Fitzgerald story. In this story, Dexter, a caddy, skis across the golf course where he works in the summer. He has dreams of being a wealthy member with a glamourous life. However, these dreams force him to make poor decisions, such as quitting his job. He fails to see that his job allows him to provide a basic standard of living for himself. Rather, he would prefer to imagine an excellent standard of living that is only a fantasy. He quits his job as a caddy because he wants something more; in this, he feels to realize that he is making money as a caddy. No one is going to give him a life as a member of a country club.
Dexter could afford a state school. However his dreams for a more respected American life push him to attend a prestigious school that he really cannot afford. This stretches his financial resources. He does enter the business world and appears to have some success. However this basic level of success is not enough for his winter dreams. Just like Paul, he must push for something more and greater. This push is the end of both characters. Dexter begins to pursue a woman who desires a wealthy man. He tells her he is the wealthiest in the region. He continually pursues Judy, despite her inability to offer him true love and commitment. He becomes engaged to another woman, a good one named Irene. However, his desire for Judy is too great. He hurts Irene and betrays her. While he does obtain wealth and status in the story, there is no reality to it. It is hollow and shallow. Judy lacks the substance to give him a meaningful life, as do the other members of the “blue blood set.” Rather, he pursues this dream of the American ideal and Judy with a level of hollowness. His ambition did not offer him anything of value in his life. While he does not suffer the same tragedy of Paul, he does suffer in the story.
