American Dream

Definition

The American Dream is the national ethos of the United States, centered around the idea that anyone, regardless of their background, can achieve success and upward mobility through hard work and determination. This concept often reflects aspirations for economic prosperity, homeownership, and a better quality of life, serving as a critical lens through which the suburban and exurban landscapes are depicted in film.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. In contemporary cinema, suburbs and exurbs are frequently portrayed as ideal settings for families seeking to realize the American Dream, symbolizing safety, community, and opportunity.
2. Films often critique or subvert the American Dream by showcasing characters who struggle with disillusionment in suburban life, revealing darker aspects of consumerism and conformity.
3. The portrayal of the American Dream can vary across genres, from feel-good family comedies to intense dramas that highlight socioeconomic disparities within suburban landscapes.
4. Cinematic representations of the American Dream often emphasize homeownership as a key element, depicting it as both a personal aspiration and a societal norm.
5. The evolution of suburbs in film reflects broader societal changes in America, such as shifts in demographics and economic conditions, impacting how the American Dream is envisioned.

Review Questions

• How do films depict the pursuit of the American Dream in suburban settings?
  • Films often depict suburban settings as ideal environments where families can pursue the American Dream. These locations are shown as places that offer safety, community ties, and access to opportunities that promise success. However, many films also highlight underlying tensions and challenges faced by characters striving for this dream, including issues like economic strain and social isolation.
• Discuss how contemporary cinema critiques the concept of the American Dream through its portrayal of exurbs.
  • Contemporary cinema critiques the American Dream by portraying exurbs as spaces that may initially appear idyllic but often reveal deeper issues such as social isolation, lack of economic opportunity, and environmental concerns. Filmmakers use these settings to challenge viewers' perceptions of success and happiness. Characters may find that achieving their dreams in these areas comes with unexpected sacrifices or hardships, prompting audiences to reconsider what the American Dream truly entails.
• Evaluate the impact of consumerism on the representation of the American Dream in suburban films.
  • Consumerism significantly shapes how the American Dream is represented in suburban films. Many narratives emphasize material success as a measure of achieving one's dreams, showcasing characters who seek fulfillment through buying homes, cars, and other possessions. This focus on consumerism can create a superficial understanding of happiness and success, leading to critiques about how these representations might contribute to disillusionment among viewers when real-life aspirations do not align with cinematic portrayals.

Related terms

Suburbia: The residential areas situated on the outskirts of a city, typically characterized by single-family homes, schools, and parks, reflecting the quest for a better quality of life associated with the American Dream.

Exurbs: Regions located beyond the suburbs that are often characterized by lower population density and a more rural lifestyle, frequently representing an idealized version of the American Dream in cinema.

Consumerism: The cultural trend emphasizing the acquisition of goods and services as a pathway to happiness and fulfillment, often intertwined with the pursuit of the American Dream.