The Norton Anthology of American Literature - Movie Review Example

Final Essay Paper Movies are used as a social reflection of the social construction of any society. At most times, the values may be contested and at times be blurred to come up with an interesting movie. Movies remain the best source to learn about people’s culture that influences the behavior and character of the American people. The movie, In Pursuit of Happiness is based on a true story of a man called Christopher Gardner. Gardner invests heavily on the "Bone Density scanner". The “bone density scanner” does not sell as they are slightly better than the current technology and are sold at a higher price. As Gardner tries to sell the scanners, his wife leaves him, he loses his house and he is forced to live on the streets with his son. In the process, Gardner’s bank account gets cleared by the government, exposing him to a string of misfortunes. Gardner decides to become a stock broker and applies for a job. He qualifies for the stock broker internship for six months without pay. Gardner had to look for a way to survive. The six months were hectic and troublesome for him but he gets through. After the training, Gardner gets the job and opens his own firm in the later years. The predominant American culture that one finds in this film is Puritanism and enlightenment. Other elements of American cultures expressed in this movie include the struggle to evade poverty and the struggle to attain economical stability. Puritanism and Enlightenment have always been part of the American thought. Puritanism has supplemented and challenged the development of American thought. The concept provides the basis of the American people’s culture and it has also shaped the characteristics of many Americans. The enlightenment of the American people began in the 18th century. This enlightenment replaced God with rationale as a foundation for everything. However, the puritan thought is still rooted in the minds of many Americans. Enlightenment has paved way for science and technology, creating a platform for social and economic development. Development has made Americans optimistic for a brighter future in pursuing their happiness. Despite the very different concepts in enlightenment and Puritanism, both have influenced the social values that most Americans upheld. In the Pursuit of Happiness, the values of Puritanism and enlightenment were portrayed in character of Chris Gardner. These values shape his character in gaining an improved life for himself and his son. The setting of the movie is during the recession period when the economic status for most Americans was deteriorating. Mr. Gardner, played by will smith tries to improve his financial status by changing from a salesman to a stockbroker. This movie reflects the distinctive value of the Americans as the pursuit to happiness has been strongly incised in every Americans mind. Though happiness can be different to people, they all have a common agenda of pursuing happiness. Christopher compares his life and his pursuit of happiness to running. He runs to pursue his dreams not for himself but for his son. The image of Christopher as a hard worker and an optimistic person that dominates his character reflects the character of many successful Americans. The values of enlightenment and Puritanism have been clearly portrayed by the characters in the movies especially how Gardner lives his life. Nothing much of a family is shown after Gardner’s wife left. Mr. Gardner from this point on struggles for his son, letting his wife go in search for her own happiness as he cannot provide it to her. This shows the value for happiness that Americans have as they cannot hinder anyone from pursuing their happiness despite the situation at hand. In Puritanism, the family is very important as that is where ones heart is bond and one does everything for their family. The value of the family has also been brought out in this movie. Even though Chris separates from his wife, Linda, he still tries to make her stay. He only gives up when he finally realizes that he cannot give his wife happiness. After this he decides that his son, Christopher is very important to him, refusing to let his wife go with him to New York. Gardener then focuses on working hard to improve his life and that of his son. He acts as both the mother and father to Christopher. He tries his best to make his son happy although his son understands the situation they are in. The Puritanism ethics influences Americans to work hard and to live well in modesty. The belief that God has plans for all humans makes the American people to have the characteristics of a hard worker is brought about by the belief that God has plans for all humans.  Mr. Gardner poses this character.  Americans consider that they can alter their life with every chance that God gives to them the only way to achieve success and happiness is through hard work. Gardner never gives up even though he faces many obstacles when he is selling the bone scanners. Chris takes a risk when he joins a payless program as stock broker hoping that he passes the program and becomes part of Dean Witter. In the end Gardner’s hard work pays off as he gets the chance to improve his life; he passes the program and becomes part of Dean Witter.   There is one conflicting idea of the Puritanism value that is reflected in the movie. This controversy has been portrayed by Gardner. Although Chris believes in God and knows that God has a plan for him, he still believes that it is all up to him to change his fate. This idea has been influenced by the enlightenment idea. Bolingbroke states that the concept of man is capable of adopting an infinite perfection instead of a doctrine that hinders them from achieving happiness (Norton 87). In this situation, the enlightenment idea states that God is the main cause for everything but it is all up to humans to control their lives (n. n 110). God only provides the way and man uses the opportunity wisely or does not take advantage of it. This film, The Pursuit of Happyness, reflects one of the most important parts in the declaration of independent. Benjamin Franklin stated that in the early times America needed to abandon the perception of elections by God and encouraged that life should be dedicated to the pursuit of happiness that should be practiced on daily basis by all human beings (n. n 98). This statement is the basic idea of all Americans. This encourages Americans to believe in their ability to achieve happiness. Mr. Gardner supported this though he kept on complaining on why Thomas Jefferson had to put the word pursue in. this is reflected on the fact that Gardner keeps ‘running’ in his entire life. The idea of success is what drives Gardner to achieving and also his belief in Thomas Jefferson’s belief that there is nothing wrong in success that has been honestly acquired (Norton 155). The existence of the American thought is not just a solitary idea to believe but it has altered into mixture of thoughts. The miscellany which encourages open mindedness brings the thoughts that grow and shape most of the American characters.  Puritanism and Enlightenment have greatly contributed to this beliefs and the American culture. Both thoughts combined strengthen the American culture and its people. These two encourage Americans to live their lives with optimism believing in God’s help and man’s hard work. Chris Gardner in the Pursuit of Happyness reflects this ideology; beliefs based on Puritanism and Enlightenment. Gardner’s success is a result of hard work, the Puritanism belief in God and the enlightenment idea of optimism in his pursuit for happiness. Despite the opposing ideas of the two thoughts, the American though forces them to work hand in hand in the pursuit to happiness. These two thoughts work together to shape and enhance the American culture and values. Works cited The Norton Anthology of American Literature, Shorter Seventh Edition; W.W. Norton and Company, 2008. Print.   A People & A Nation, Brief Ninth Edition; Cengage Learning, 2008. Print. Read More