Albee's Play, The American Dream - Essay Example

Instructition Albee’s play, “The American Dream The American dream has a number of key and insightful characters. For the purpose of maintaining the objectivity of this paper, the two characters who will be analyzed are Grandma and the Young Man. This is because the theme of the play would not have been realized in the inefficiency of these two characters. They both represent the contemporary scenario in the American society. Character analysis Grandma She is the representation of the old mode of life. Simply how life used to be prior to the existence of contemporary society. The sole purpose as to why both dad and mum stayed with Grandma is because she represented the old set of values that have since been eroded by the contemporary values. This character was symbolically used by the author to depict the power of the past to predict the happenings of the future. This is demonstrated by Grandma being able to tell the truth concerning the real intent of the visit by Mrs. Baker. Additionally, this power is demonstrated by her knowledge of the Young Man being an identical twin of the first son of the family. In the social sphere, this character would otherwise be considered obscene. Her role as the oldest person in the play is somewhat unique with regards to theatre plays. It is imperative to reiterate the fact that all the characters of the play are symbolic in a way of the American society. As such, when Grandma becomes an exterior commentator away from the main scene, it symbolizes a shift from the old values that have eminently existed in the American society. The interaction between Grandma and the Young Man represent a collision between the old and the new. As such, in the conversation between Grandma and the Young Man, the Young Man asserts that he has no talents. The metamorphosis of the old to the new seems not to have been complete. Grandma represents a holistic being while the Young Man is a representation of the corrupt and incomplete being of the contemporary society. When Grandma refers to the Young Man as the American dream she asserts that he is the evolution of old into new. She states that he is the embodiment of what the American dream entails and what it would mean for society. The character of Grandma is a rather wise and cunning element in the play. She demonstrates her nature of being wise by knowing what is right for daddy and mommy. She understands that the presence of the Young Man in the family will be good to the family in the end. Her cunning nature is demonstrated by her decision to pretend that she had been taken by the van man. Moreover, when she returns to the scene, she gestures to Mrs. Baker to ignore her presence. The name of this character in context of the contemporary society signifies an aging or phasing out of the old rules. Simply put, a fading and non-relevance of the old values in the modern world. The Young Man When Grandma left the house, she left the Young Man to represent her. Simply put, he was a replacement of the old values of society by the new values. However, unlike Grandma whose personal possessions are represented by boxes, the Young Man is empty inside. The Young Man is the principle focus of the American Dream, he represents the future prospects of society as a whole. As such, when he says that he has no inner emotion, it translates to mean that the American Dream does not have substance to propel its realization. The American Dream, in the wider sense, has no feelings. When the Young Man knocked on the door and subsequently entered the life of daddy and mommy, his sole motivation was money. This sheds light into the driving force of contemporary society. Their material minded nature is symbolized by this behavior of the Young Man. He is depicted as physically perfect. However, he is devoid of any inner substance. The Young Man is for sale. He states that he would do anything for money. His service and contribution to the family and the society as a whole are for sale. He represents the vanity associated with the contemporary society. The Young Man is the object of sexual desire but has nothing, aside from this, to offer. The Young Man is characterized by a complete disinterest in the world he is living. He is only interested in self sustenance that can only be realized via monetary means, thus his insistence on monetary rewards. He offers an unconditional escape of the problems of this world faced mommy and daddy. The immediate problem being faced by daddy and mommy is their constant hostility. When the Young Man enters the scene, he almost immediately refers to himself as a type. This is rather informative of his attitude towards himself. It is clear that the does not regard himself as able to add valuable input in society. Additionally, he states that he has endured the progressive loss of his inner substance. This being said, it becomes perplexing to realize that he is what daddy and mommy have been waiting for all this time. It is difficult to understand his impact on mommy, in order for him to provide her with satisfaction. The name given to this character is a representation of the state of his existence in context of the contemporary society. Analysis The first step in the analysis of this text is to expound on the relevance of the title in the contex of the American contemporary society. The title is rich in both intellect and moral substance. It sheds light into the ideas and feelings expressed in the play when relating to the fondest participation of Americans towards realization of the American dream. The meaning and application of the play is manifested in the character of the Young Man. The dialogue of the play depicts him as the American Dream. In light of this, the question is if the characters are a representation of the people in the American society today. In the endeavour of maintaining the objectivity of this paper, the two charectres highlighted earlier on in this paper will be employed to show this relation to the modern society. This is hinged on the fact that, these two characters will provide the most efficient in depth anlaysis and subsequent relation inot the perpective of the contemporary society. Physically, the character of Grandma is repulsive. She is not the least attractive. However, aside from these physical let downs, she indeed has some attractive traits. She has realism and a clear vision of life. Her activities in the play are somewhat of an industrious individual. This is demonstrated when mommy acknowledges her industrious qualities. To this end, the play can be said to be a thorough representation of the American society. In often cases, the mature and old populace are hard and industrious workers; unlike the young population, who can best be defined as multimedia and social media addicts. They are far from the industrious population that propelled the American economy to prosperity. The rate of obesity evident across American cities, is evidence of this assertion. The inactivity of the young population was unheard of in the days of Grandma. It is incomprehendible to picture the contemporary society being as resourceful and active in their olden ages. Though she aknowledges that she is old, she is still active (Albee 82). The expansion witnessed by Grandma in her hey days is unlike any economic expansion to be witnessed by the contemporary soceity. The economic perfromannce of the American economy cannot be compared with its performance in the 19th century. This is the time when Grandma was in her hey days. As such, this character is a representation of the people in the American society. The character of the Young Man has been employed by the writer to depict the circumstances of the American dream. In addition, it explicates on the characteristics of the members of the contemporary society. When Grandma sees the Young Man for the first time, she asserts that she would have fancied him (Albee 106). The Young Man is sexy and materialistic. This cannot be better said of the modern man. The American society is addicted to beauty and materialistic features. The extreme emphasis on beauty is justified by the increasing incidences of deaths accruing from anorexia. The significant number of diet programs is an additional testament to this fact. Rather than build on the inner substance that will assure success, society opts to be preoccupied with money and looks. Additionally, the rise in demand of plastic surgeions is proof os this assertion. The fact is that these two characters are a representationof what is wrong and right in the contemporary society. Work Cited Albee, Edward. Edward Albee's the American Dream: The Sandbox ; the Death of Bessie Smith ; Fam and Yam. New York: Dramatists Play Service, 2009. Print. Read More