This document is a critical analysis of the American Dream as depicted in Imbolo Mbue’s novel "Behold the Dreamers". The paper examines the different outcomes of the American Dream for the novel's main characters, including Jende Jonga, Neni Jonga, and Clark Edwards. It also discusses the downsides of pursuing this dream, particularly in the context of modern America’s systemic issues related to immigration, race, and class. The analysis highlights how the American Dream often remains elusive for immigrants, revealing that while it promises prosperity and upward mobility, it is fraught with challenges that prevent many from achieving it. The paper delves into how these characters' experiences reflect broader societal problems and critiques the sustainability of the American Dream in contemporary times.
Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)
- INTRODUCTION
- DEFINITION OF THE AMERICAN DREAM
- THE MAIN CHARACTERS AND THEIR AMERICAN DREAMS IN BEHOLD THE DREAMERS
- JENDE JONGA
- NENI JONGA
- CLARK EDWARDS
- THE DOWNSIDES OF THE AMERICAN DREAM IN BEHOLD THE DREAMERS
Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)
This seminar paper examines the diverse outcomes of the American Dream for the main characters in Imbolo Mbue's Behold the Dreamers, focusing on Jende Jonga, Neni Jonga, and Clark Edwards. It explores the discrepancies between the idealized notion of the American Dream and the realities faced by immigrants, particularly considering systemic issues related to immigration, class, and race in modern America. The relevance of this topic stems from the centrality of the American Dream as a key theme within Mbue's novel.
- The definition and multifaceted interpretations of the "American Dream."
- The individual aspirations and experiences of the main characters in pursuit of the American Dream.
- The disparities between expectation and reality regarding the American Dream for immigrants.
- The systemic challenges and downsides of the American Dream in the context of modern America.
- The role of class and race in shaping the immigrant experience and access to the American Dream.
Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)
Introduction: This section sets the stage, introducing the concept of immigration and the allure of the American Dream as a driving force for individuals seeking a better life. It outlines the paper's focus on analyzing the varied experiences of the main characters in Behold the Dreamers.
Definition of the American Dream: This chapter explores different perspectives on the American Dream, moving beyond the simplistic "rags to riches" narrative to encompass broader notions of opportunity, social mobility, and fundamental rights. It examines the concept's historical context and its evolution.
The Main Characters and Their American Dreams in Behold the Dreamers: This section begins an analysis of the individual aspirations and experiences of Jende Jonga, providing context for his background and motivations for immigrating to the United States.
Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)
American Dream, immigration, contemporary American literature, Imbolo Mbue, Behold the Dreamers, social mobility, class, race, economic inequality, immigrant experience, contemporary fiction, racial inequality.
- Arbeit zitieren
- Leonard Rothenfeld (Autor:in), 2020, A Critical Look at the American Dream in Imbolo Mbue’s "Behold the Dreamers", München, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/1519096
