Tuesday, April 13, 2010
Connection Between Native Son and The Glass Menagerie
In both Native Son and The Glass Menagerie I believe it is apparent that the American Dream is not attainable for everybody. In Native Son, the Thomas family has everything working against them: they are black, they are poor, Bigger was accused of murder of a white girl, and similar to The Glass Menagerie the Thomas children had no father figure; essentially, the Thomas family did not fit what was desired and therefore could not reach the American Dream. Additionally, Bigger Thomas let society's biases of the color of his skin hinder his potential. In The Glass Menagerie, the Wingfield family has the pressure of society on them as well. They don't fit the picture of social conformity because they live in a poor tenement, Laura is disabled, and they don't have a father figure. Because of this, they are unable to reach the American Dream. After reading these two works of literature, I don't think it is possible for just anybody to reach the American Dream, and I believe social conformity plays a large role in this as well. If you are not "normal" by society's standards then you will not be able to progress towards the American Dream, and ultimately be successful.
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I completely agree with your idea that both the Glass Menagerie and Native Son show that the American Dream is not attainable for everybody. I feel like the American dream is not attainable because no one lives that perfect social conformist life that society presses on us. Sometimes to other people it may seem like a family is living the American Dream, but I am sure it only seems that way because that is the act they put on because they feel that that is what is expected in our society. After reading this, I want to ask you if you believe if there even is a real "normal" or if it all just really is smoke and mirrors? I was wondering the same question as I wrote my response and I think it would be interesting to know the way you felt.
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