The Concept of the American Dream - Assignment Example

Research Paper

Official Les Blancs, Lorraine Hansberry

According to the American dream, there is a belief that anyone, irrespective of the born place or the class level that one was born in, can achieve its form of achievement in a society that implements upward flexibility, making it a possibility for everyone. Besides, the dream is accomplished through some aspects such as sacrifice, hard work, risk-taking, and not through by chance (Hansberry, 1974). There have been various attempts and energy enforced towards achieving the American dream; some of the struggles are successful while others are not accomplished (Hansberry, 1974). On this note, various narratives have been produced to demonstrate the benefits of this dream, calling for its implementation. One of the plays produced towards this target is official Les Blancs, by Lorraine Hansberry, which is one of the most recent plays in the display. American freedom should be necessarily implemented in this era; individuals now need to think for themselves and do follow their ideas rationally. Hence, the paper is tailored to discuss the play, demonstrated how it has identified the American dream, and shows the power of struggle expressed by Mrs. Young and her son.

How Does the Play Exemplify the Concept of the American Dream?

There are various characters in the play that are calling for the freedom of mind and actions. In the play, Tshembe Motosh has just returned home from England, where he was ling. He has come to attend his father's funeral, in an African country that has not been mentioned. He is challenged with different powers in the country on his arrival, which has been represented by diverse characters. One of the characters, the woman, worries Tshembe and recommends Africa before the assault by colonial powers. In one instance of the play, the doctor, who is white, states that the whites have to give up some things for the Africans, she says, "the goat dung is less of a problem than too much sanitization … the Africans feel much better having the goats at home. (Osborne, 00:9:00). Therefore, according to Morris, who has just joined landed in Africa from abroad, things like the goat and chicken dung should be eliminated. To do this, Africans should, in a way, stop raring much of this livestock. However, the doctor is doing as the American dream states, freedom of choice, and flexibility of different individuals. For this reason, she tells the man that the whites have to give up some things the Africans are doing and allow them to continue.

In the play, before Tshembe's father died, he was identified as a commander concerning the land army's freedom. On this note, Ntali urges Tshembe to continue this task and replace his father on this struggle. Besides, Rick, who is Tshembe's younger brother, and identified as ever drunk, wants to join them in this struggle. On the other hand, Abiosey, Tshembe's other brother, who is a priest, discourages Erick from entering the battle. He states that if they do this, the West will outwardly compromise as they have to do it. To emphasize the Americans' dream, the doctor says, "one of the most difficult things that Americans do not understand is that the world cannot share mutual moral concepts, and private property is one of them. We should get rid of some things such as traumatizing the Africans.” (Osborne, 00:12:05). Therefore, according to the play, it is high time that everyone should be allowed to enjoy his beliefs and choices of doing things. All individuals in the world cannot be under similar moral concepts. When freedom of choice is implemented, individuals will have freedom of ideas, which will be more significant to the world that dictating people on their preferences. Hence, Dr. Martha symbolizes decent individuals working hard irrespective of their born place; she is white but is working tirelessly for the Africans. She is an excellent example of individuals fighting towards the American dream in the society.

Does This Work Even When Race Is Factored In

As noted from the play, it would be challenging to attain the freedom of choice and actions if matters are race-based. Even if various characters are working to abolish cruelty to the Africans, such as Dr. Wlly and Dekoven and Dr. Martha, there are others like Major George Rice. They are oppressing individuals based on their colors. Dr. Dekoven has been working in this region for the past forty years, and he is not discriminating against people based on their race. Therefore, with such people, achieving the American dream would be accessible and persuasive. On the other hand, Major George is oppressing Africans and treating them differently. He observes them as illegal people; he says many are terrorists and create a political uprising (Osborne, 00:14:00). Besides, they are not doing things such as theft but are just using their guns to murder. With this, it is clear that the Africans are trying to fight for their freedom, but it cannot work with such people as George. Madam Neilsen tells Morris that he has come at a tough time when there are shootings all over. Someone important has just died (Tshembe's father)” (Osborne, 00:18:00). Therefore, according to the optimistic characters in the play, like Madam Neilsen, fighting for freedom is recommendable. Thus, she terms Tshembe's father as a famous person because he was fighting for freedom.

In the recent past, the American dream has been noted implemented in various ways and institutions in the United States. For instance, my family came to the United States in the 90s and had is enjoying the fruits of the American dream in several ways. As we landed in the country, my parents had just a little cash that would have lasted for less than a year. Since then, they have acquired jobs in various institutions with the motivation that "hard work can make one attain anything irrespective of the race" (Goodman & Christopher, 2018). The same theory has been proven right by Tshembe in the play. After leaving Africa for the United States, he has gained lots of wealth and even a family. Therefore, irrespective of the racism matter cases occurring in America, hard work plays a great role in enabling one to achieve whatever he needs (Putnam, 2016).

What About the Power Struggle between Mrs. Younger and Her Son. Do Characters Succeed?

Mrs. Young and her son have some difficulties in struggling and surviving in Erick's presence, who disregards Europeans. When Tshembe notifies Erick that he has a wife and they have born a son, Erick is excited to be an uncle. But the first question that follows necessitates knowing the race of this woman. After hearing that she is a European, Erick wants to see the picture and describes her as not to be beautiful. "She has grew eyes, red hair that seems ugly and generally seems not being handsome, in fact she seems to be older than you” (Osborne, 00:28:00). Therefore, to struggle and survive in terms of African customs, Mrs. Young had to encounter various difficulties. Besides, the condition would be made more difficult with some characters such as Erick, who value things based on race.

On the other hand, their struggle for survival is made easy by the existence of civilized characters such as Tshembe and Abioseh. “Tshembe states that what we know is what we accept and it is like that everywhere” (Osborne, 00:29:08). Therefore, with his knowledge and enlightened mind, accepting other tribes is not a problem, and hence, he is proud of his son and wife. On the other hand, “Abioseh, a priest is also proud that Tshembe marries a European and recommends him for travelling widely” (Osborne, 00:33:00). Besides, the priest states that this is not the appropriate time of destroying but should be used to build now that there exist intelligent people like Tshembe. Therefore, with free-thinking minds such as that of Tshembe, struggling for freedom for Mrs. Young and her son would not be a problem.

Work Cited

Hansberry, Lorraine, and Michelle Shay. A Raisin in the Sun. Canadian National Institute for the Blind, 1974.

Osborne, Deirdre. "Lorraine Hansberry." Visions of Tragedy in Modern American Drama (2018): 115.

Goodman, Laurie S., and Christopher Mayer. "Homeownership and the American dream." Journal of Economic Perspectives 32.1 (2018): 31-58.

Putnam, Robert D. Our kids: The American dream in crisis. Simon and Schuster, 2016.