Consumerism a Taint in the American Dream - Essay Example

Consumerism a Taint in the American Dream Introduction The American society often celebrates freedom of exploring one’s dream, expressing oneself and perhaps most importantly, the financial independence to prove one’s worth. The desire to attain the American dream; characterized by significant wealth, an affluent suburban life and other luxurious perks, is particularly deemed important in a highly stratified American society. People in America have the free will to pursue these dreams, despite their unconventional nature or how irrational they might be. Even though the economy may be receding and social mobility becoming increasingly difficult, many people And while the economy might be crumbling and social mobility isn't exactly easy, a lot of people still achieve their aspirations through determination, diligence and in some cases, luck. Unfortunately, the American dream is progressively becoming materialistic and prompting individuals to engage in absurd activities in an effort to achieve it. Although this dream has often bordered on acquisition of material things, the trend has worsened, as people seem obsessed with purchasing expensive and superfluous commodities. Before, people aspired to purchase nice residences in the suburbs, acquire pets and own a car. Presently, desires have grown limitless, as people strive to get the latest luxurious cars, and travel to exotic places, among other expensive ambitions. The revolution of the people’s aspirations around opulence has led to abandonment of basic societal morals and values, hence corruption of the American dream. Richard Ford’s short story Rock Springs clearly illustrates the extent to which consumerism has tainted the American dream, making it lose its motivational and progressive value. Summary The short story that forms the basis of this analytical essay, Rock Springs, revolves around the life of Earl Middleton. Ford uses the latter, as the protagonist and narrator of his life’s story. Earl is a small time criminal who thinks that he can reinvent himself by running away and starting off a new life with his girlfriend, Edna, his daughter Cheryl, and their dog, Little Duke. Earl’s woes begin when he writes several bad checks in his hometown in Montana. This is a crime punishable by imprisonment in this northwestern American state. Coupled with the fact that he was previously in jail for stealing tires, Earl is worried that his misdeeds might catch up with him and prevent him from living the affluent life he desires and constantly fantasizes about. Further, his criminal background poses a risk to her daughter’s future, since he wants to provide her with all that she desires, while doing what he is best at. Earl’s desires can best be summed up as the elusive American dream. This is because he not only desires women, that is, Edna; travelling to exotic places, in this case, Florida; owning a luxurious car like the Mercedes Benz he ends up stealing and having a perfect family, comprising of her girlfriend, daughter and dog (Ford 289-2294). However, Earl used questionable means to acquire these aspirations. For instance, in order to win over Edna’s heart, he lies to her ex-husband, Danny that he was previously incarcerated for killing someone. As a result, Danny opts to stay with Edna’s kids leaving her to Earl. In order to leave Montana and travel to Florida, Earl steals a Mercedes Benz with a distinctive cranberry color that screams opulence. From his tender and caring demeanor, it is apparent that Earl does not embody a typical felon. He is also not violent, despite his cunning antics, which prompts one to question the reasons for his actions (Lapham n.pg). Earl’s primary desire is to provide everything, including luxurious items, for his dependants and guarantee them a comfortable and stress free life. This clearly shows that the prevalent thoughts of wealth and his desire to be part of the privileged social class contribute significantly towards his criminal tendencies. Earl is evidently confused about exactly what he needs. This explains why he seems to suffer from conflict of morality, in the sense that, he is constantly running away from the outcomes of his actions. In the long run, Richard Ford shows Earl Middleton still looking to achieve his elusive dream, while suffering from consequences like being left by Edna and heightened uncertainty of his future and that of his daughter. Analysis Historical analysis of events reveals that capitalist systems often resort to increasing capital circulation within an economy, in the event of an economic slump or slowdown. This translates to an increase in consumerism, which refers to an economic system propelled by increased spending among buyers of consumer products. This has been evident in the American society, since the advent of industries and later, the infamous Great Depression (Schroth n.pg). While increased consumer spending has always played a significant role in jumpstarting the economy recovery process, it has paved way for excessive materialism or a predominant mentality for people’s need for unnecessary material things. This is because; individuals in consumerist societies like America, live under the immense influence of promotions and advertisements, which showcase factors that make up an affluent lifestyle. As a result of exposure to affluent lifestyles in ads and promotions, people end up buying commodities they do not require and can barely afford. Consequently, the gap between the rich and the underprivileged in society widens due to the increasing economic disparity. It is evident that excessive consumption characteristic of the post-industrialization American society presents numerous drawbacks. For instance, consumerism wastes significant time, energy and money for individuals. It often prompts American dream aspirants to rack up debts and to desire other people’s lives and social or financial statuses. In addition, consumerists constantly experience the feeling of dissatisfaction and desire to acquire more, despite leading a relatively comfortable life. This undoubtedly contributes to degradation of morals, prevalence of vices and engagement in criminal activity, as Ford clearly illustrates through Earl Middleton’s narrative (Schroth n.pg). Ford’s short story guides one through a virtual trip of what a typical middle class family goes though in the effort to achieve the American dream. The trio, that is, Earl, Edna and Cheryl, together with the ‘family’ pet dog paint a mental image of an ordinary American family. At the beginning of the narrative, it is apparent that Earl is trying to ensure that his ‘family’ gets a fresh start free of his criminal past. Even though the journey from Montana to Florida opens as a peaceful and relaxing ride, it turns out that the protagonist actually stole a car for the trip. At one point in the course of the journey, Earl desperately attempts to make sure that his family gets to a nearby town named Rock Springs. It is in this town that he hopes to get comfortable accommodation for the night and acquire another car after disposing off the stolen Mercedes Benz (Lapham n.pg). In the course of the journey, Earl continually pretends that the luxurious car belongs to him and goes to the extent of feeling some form of pride, as an affluent individual in society and having achieved numerous fictional accomplishments. When the Mercedes Benz experiences mechanical problems close to the Wyoming town of Rock Springs, Earl’s plans get completely derailed. He is forced to hide the car and ask for help from a woman in a nearby trailer park, who allows him to use her phone and call a cab to drive them to Rock Springs. While still in the trailer, Earl notices that the seats are comfortable and that the African American woman has a delicious smelling meal on the stove. On further inquiry, he learns that the trailer park houses workers from a nearby gold mine and that the woman’s family has an actual home in Illinois with the trailer acting as temporary housing. Earl’s experience described in the preceding paragraphs shows the prevailing symbols of the American dream for which he yearns. For example, there is the possibility of getting to Rock Springs, where he hopes to provide a safe haven for his family at least for the night. There is also the ownership of two comfortable homes, as revealed by the woman who helps Earl call for a taxi. Earl and his family also yearn for a new day with better prospects, a place to not only rest, but also sate their hunger and quench their thirst. Further, the gold mine in the background is perhaps the most outstanding symbol of the evasive dream. It stands just beyond Earl’s reach, for the entire narrative. Ford uses all these symbols to show his attitude towards complete corruption of the sought after American dream. Of particular interest is the unreachable gold mine, which serves as an exemplary depiction of a promise of wealth and affluence that people never manage to achieve in the long run (Khurram n.pg). Being an adamant optimist and idealist, Earl emotionally states “It may mean we’re getting closer, some people never see it at all.” (295) At this point, Earl shows the desperate desire held by many who long to fulfill the dream. He looks at the gold mine to convey his belief in a future characterized by prosperity and comfort. However, the sad thing is that he solely measures and predicts the extent to which his future and that of his family will be bright based on material things. This shows that Earl and others like him in society have completely been corrupted by the notion that success and well-being can only be measured on the basis of one’s material riches. Richard Ford shows that, Earl’s tainted belief of what constitutes the American dream is a belief held by majority of individuals that form the country’s middle class. People in this social class toil persistently and consistently, while upholding the notion that every sacrifice made, or effort exerted makes up means to a projected end. In addition, most people at this level strongly believe that the end of the sacrifice and hard work must be a symbol of wealth, such as the luxurious car driven by Earl, the idyllic journey to comfortable locales, the goldmine forming the backdrop of the protagonist’s Rock Springs rendezvous and the two comfortable houses he covets, when told by the trailer park woman. Earl’s yearnings, which are representative of the American middle class all, portray the pervasive nature and effects of corrupting effects consumerism. Many are forced to measure their happiness or comfort in terms of the wealth they possess, the luxurious commodities they purchase, the type of cars they drive, the designer clothes they wear, among other unnecessary things (Hedges n.pg). This is so misdirecting, that Earl prefers to drive a stolen luxury car and enjoy the perks of a lofty lifestyle, to being a law abiding citizen, who protects the welfare of his family. Earl also opts to continue stealing and predisposing his family to the possibility of living without a breadwinner, in case he gets caught and goes to prison. By doing this, he completely disregards the future well being of his daughter and girlfriend. This shows that materialism largely impedes people’s ability to think rationally and instead encourages short-term wealth-oriented decision making, which is detrimental not only to an American dream aspirer, but also to his or her dependants. It is also such blindness imposed by material things that prompts individuals to steal from others, cause harm or even engage in vices like gambling and prostitution. An excellent example other than Earl’s stealing tendencies is Edna’s s decision to abandon her children and husband, in search of an exciting adventure. Further analysis of Ford’s short story reveals that Edna’s view of the American dream appears to represent the author’s comprehension of the tainting of this ideology. When talking to Earl about the gold mine, Edna states “You and me see it in a pig’s eye.” Edna is portrayed as a ruthless individual in Earl’s hope negotiations. This is why; the phrasing of “you and me” by Ford’s is predominantly crucial in this case. Earl and Edna have a more symbolic meaning at this particular point, because they represent everybody in the middle class toilers. The visions and prosperity of the middle class are seen “in a pig’s eye.” In my opinion Edna representation is seen via the mythical aspects which Earl indulges in and she almost offers Earl an optimism editorial. She has the capability to identify corruption which is well expressed for the audience. The American Dream struggle is seen as a justified means to an end, despite the fact that the end is inexistence, or in this case it is completely unattainable. Therefore the middle-class remain individuals still remain in the same status like Earl who symbolizes this by being left a lot in the parking bay towards the conclusion of the story where he is searching for any car to take his family members but still in vain. Conclusion In conclusion, it is evident from Richard Ford’s short story Rock Springs that consumerism has tainted the American dream, making it lose its motivational and progressive value the American impasse is portrayed in people’s consistent belief that they have the capability to live beyond their usual means. Just like numerous other capitalist structures, consumerism is concerned to be an aspect that has short-term gains without considering the future elements of wealth distribution because of overspending. For instance, if the income of a household is decreasing or stagnant but the level of consumption is high; it means that the individuals are either borrowing or taking equity loans, in order to balance their spending. Earl wants to begin a fresh in Florida and he can only use the Benz for transport but it breaks down making it impossible for him to continue travelling. Despite the optimism, it is clear that his dreams of living in Florida were almost shuttered. Therefore, it is clear that dreams should not be about what one can purchase, but it should be about what makes one live. This is because; the American dream should not be depicted by flashy vehicles and designer clothes hut a family and fulfilling career should matter more. Works Cited Ford, Richard. Rock Springs. 2012. 17 April 2014. Hedges, Chris .The Corruption of the American Dream. 2014. 17 April 2014. Khurram, Shanzeh. Is the American Dream Becoming Too Materialistic? 2013. 17 April 2014. Lapham, Lewis. Has Consumerism forever killed the American Revolutionary Spirit? 2014. 17 April 2014. Schroth, Raymond. America’s Moral Landscape in the Fiction of Richard Ford. 2014. 17 April 2014. Read More