There are many myths in the American culture and such as the success-myth, made America what it is today. The success-myth and self-reliance took the place of puritan virtues like unselfishness, virtuousness and modesty.
The forerunner of the enlightenment was Benjamin Franklin, who replaced those puritan virtues by self-realization, reason and individuality. He himself was striving for moral perfection while his definition of moral was quite different from the previous one.
His plan of gaining moral perfection concentrated on financial success and consisted of how you could be on top of everything by being always disciplined and success orientated. He believed man would be successful if he stepped out of the shadow of conformity and was brave enough to believe in his individuality and willing to work hard for his aims. For him financial success was the key to gain perfect happiness.
The principle of self-reliance is also part of the great enlightenment and functions as an ally of B. Franklin`s success-myth.
Emerson was the central transcendentalist whose principle of self-reliance replaced the traditional religion. He believed that conformity restricts liberty and culture and declares himself in favor of non-conformism on the principles of truth and integrity. He talks of a divine connection between man and nature which he calls intuition. He reinforces the transition of the individual and sees it as an unavoidable necessity to overcome obstacles and to bring sacrifices when you follow your intuition. Because not following it would mean moral suicide and betrayal of yourself. He makes clear that ones place in life is not ruled by society or fate but by yourself. Rely exceptionally on yourself and you will succeed. He also makes clear you have to follow your own interests instead of going conform with society which will lead you to success and independence. The only thing ruling you should be reason and ambition. You will also gain freedom because possession will lead you to it.
Then there is the frontier-myth. Americans saw themselves as pioneers bringing civilization to wilderness. They saw themselves as missionaries bringing civilization to a`cultureless`race and while doing so they were simply overrunning strange cultures.
Their conviction of being the superior race made them blind to different cultures. [...]
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
2. American Dream - American Nightmare : American myths in Apocalypse Now
Objectives and Topics
This paper examines the betrayal of the American Dream through the lens of history, culture, and cinema, specifically analyzing Francis Ford Coppola's film "Apocalypse Now" to demonstrate how foundational national myths have led to destruction and moral dilemmas.
- The historical origin and evolution of American myths such as the success-myth and Manifest Destiny.
- The clash between American expansionism and foreign cultures, exemplified by the Vietnam War.
- The critique of the "chosen people" ideology and the "city upon a hill" metaphor.
- Analysis of the moral disintegration of the individual within the context of war and imperialism.
- The role of film as a medium for both reinforcing and questioning American societal values.
Excerpt from the Book
American Dream - American Nightmare : American myths in Apocalypse Now
First of all I would like to explain why America intervened in Vietnamese Affairs which were actually none of their business.
French Indochina was occupied by Japan during the World War II. The Vièt Minh which consisted of the Vietnamese communist leader Hò-Chì-Minh and his league of independence, organized resistance against Japan and in November 1945 he declared Vietnam an independent republic. Of course France didn’t accept that since it was their colony and did everything to prevent Vietnam from breaking out of Indochina.
In 1945 they lured the Vièt Minh into a battle at Dièn Bièn Phu where they were defeated. From then on Indochina and Vietnam became a matter of the whole world and the political situation of Vietnam was discussed within the Geneva conference. They finally decided that Vietnam should be divided into a North and a South Vietnam and the French soldiers were to withdraw. The intention behind this decision was that after the elections in Vietnam within the next two years, the country should be reunited.
That was when the Vietnamese started to chose where they wanted to be: the communists moved to North Vietnam that was ruled by Hò-Chì-Minh whereas the Catholics moved to the South . When the world realized what this decision had led to, the USA decided to interfere and rescue Vietnam from communism.
Summary of Chapters
1. Introduction: This chapter establishes the theoretical foundation by discussing core American myths like self-reliance and the success-myth, tracing their influence on national identity and their problematic impact on history.
2. American Dream - American Nightmare : American myths in Apocalypse Now: This chapter applies the previously discussed theoretical framework to the Vietnam War and the film "Apocalypse Now," exploring how the American "civilizing mission" resulted in destruction and moral decay.
Keywords
American Dream, Manifest Destiny, Apocalypse Now, Vietnam War, Imperialism, Self-Reliance, Cultural identity, Colonel Kurtz, Captain Willard, Morality, Colonialism, Mythology, Historical context, Frontier-myth, Civilization.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the fundamental focus of this academic paper?
The paper explores the dichotomy between the idealistic American Dream and the reality of historical outcomes, arguing that national myths have often justified destructive actions and imperialistic behavior.
What are the central themes discussed in the work?
Key themes include the impact of the success-myth, the legacy of Manifest Destiny, the dehumanization of "others" during conflicts, and the moral crisis of the individual within an imperialistic system.
What is the primary objective of this research?
The primary objective is to demonstrate how American cultural myths, specifically the "civilizing mission," were translated into the reality of the Vietnam War and how these themes are reflected and criticized in the film "Apocalypse Now."
Which scientific method is utilized in this analysis?
The author utilizes a cultural and literary/film analysis approach, interpreting historical events through the lens of foundational American ideologies and comparing them to cinematic depictions.
What is the focus of the main section of the paper?
The main section investigates the intervention in Vietnam, the portrayal of the enemy in war films, and the symbolic journey of Captain Willard in "Apocalypse Now" as he confronts the moral failures of the American mission.
Which keywords best characterize this work?
The work is characterized by terms such as American Dream, Manifest Destiny, Imperialism, cultural identity, and the critique of American historical mythology.
How does the author characterize Colonel Kurtz's role in the film?
Kurtz is characterized as a figure who has looked behind the "ambivalent morality" of his country and, by deserting, has become a symbol of the American will to power that eventually leads to madness.
What is the significance of the "snail on the razor" metaphor mentioned by Kurtz?
The metaphor illustrates the "Janus-faced" nature of American society, where the system is simultaneously supportive and lethally dangerous, reflecting the moral ambiguity soldiers face in war.
Why does the author argue that the film "Apocalypse Now" is different from other Vietnam war movies?
Unlike other films that often reinforce the myth, "Apocalypse Now" is seen as impartial, reflecting the madness of war without direct judgment and exposing how the American dream becomes a force of destruction.
- Quote paper
- Katrin Shams-Eddien (Author), 2001, American Myths in Apocalypse Now, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/11100
