The United States with New York as the country's largest urban city passed through an immense development in the mid-19th and early-20th century. The metropolis changed in terms of urban landscapes, industrialization, pace of life and importance, which influenced people's views on the cosmopolitan city New York. It is a fact that the city's population is growing since the early 19th century continuously and becomes more and more attractive for people from the whole world. Different artists of different groups and art movements concern themselves with the metropolis New York and its advantages and possibilities. The aim of this paper is to show that the urbanization influenced the stereotypical American Dream in a negative way which has thus changed into a more realistic one. On this account this paper will show the shift of the American Dream on the basis of the metropolis New York, comparing the songs New York, New York and Empire State of Mind, in relation to urbanization within the city. The paper starts out by introducing its historical context: it points out the historical facts of cultural change of the American city in the late-19th and early-20th century, considering the industrialization, urbanization of landscapes and the integration of the urban metropolis into the American Dream. Further more the chapter focuses on the idea of the American Dream, its origin and development regarding the city's social and cultural background. The third chapter, involves the analysis of the two songs, which both pick out the metropolis New York and its opportunity as a central theme. The two songs are connected because of thematic reasons according to the depiction of New York in two different time episodes. Furthermore this chapter provides a stylistic and thematic comparison of both songs in relation to the American Dream, which existed at the time of both respective songs but differs in the late 19th century from the early 20th century. Comparing the similarities and differences of picturing the American dream, this chapter illustrates the change from then and now, giving consideration to the respective temporal circumstances. The fourth chapter contains a conclusion, which sums up all facts and gives an outlook on a possible shift of the American dream into a different direction and explains the maintenance of the American dream in a critical way.
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
2. The Integration of the Urban Metropolis into the American Dream
2.1 Historical Context of the American City
2.2 New York
2.3 The American Dream
2.4 The Connection Between Urbanization and the American Dream
3. Song Analysis
3.1 New York, New York
3.1.1 Stylistic Analysis
3.1.2 Thematic Analysis
3.2 Empire State of Mind
3.2.1 Stylistic Analysis
3.2.2 Thematic Analysis
3.3 Comparative Summary of Both Songs
4. Conclusion
Objectives & Core Themes
This paper examines how the urbanization of New York City has influenced the interpretation of the American Dream, shifting it from a traditional, optimistic vision to a more complex and realistic perspective through the lyrical analysis of two iconic songs.
- The historical evolution of New York City and its role in the American Dream.
- Stylistic and thematic analysis of Frank Sinatra's "New York, New York" (1977).
- Stylistic and thematic analysis of Jay-Z and Alicia Keys' "Empire State of Mind" (2009).
- A comparative study of shifting social perceptions, cultural diversity, and urbanization.
- The contrast between the idealistic promise of stardom and the reality of social inequality.
Excerpt from the Book
3.1.2 Thematic Analysis
Starting with interpreting the title of the song, it becomes clear that the aim of that song is to present the metropolis New York. Whether this happens from a bad or a good side will find out this chapter.
The first-person narrator starts out in the first verse by declaring that he wants to move to New York. His choice of words signalize that New York must be an enviable and impressing city. That the first-person narrator wants to be “a part of it” (Ebb) points out that New York symbolizes something like a wish or dream people long for. To be part of it seems like a goal for the narrator and appears like the incarnation of a good life.
Going on with “these vagabond shoes” (Ebb) the narrator intents to show that he comes from humble homes, is nothing special and has the hope and dream of life in New York. The American Dream is supported by the reference to the heart which shows his desire to be in the metropolis with all his heart. This aspect leads to the fundamentals of the American Dream as I discussed in section 2.3. The poor man who dreams of the metropolis New York as a central aspect of the song.
Summary of Chapters
1. Introduction: Outlines the historical development of the American metropolis and states the paper's goal of comparing two songs to analyze the shift in the American Dream.
2. The Integration of the Urban Metropolis into the American Dream: Provides historical context on American urban growth and defines the American Dream's origins and its link to industrialization.
3. Song Analysis: Investigates how "New York, New York" and "Empire State of Mind" portray the city, analyzing them stylistically and thematically to determine the impact of urbanization.
4. Conclusion: Summarizes findings, asserting that the American Dream has evolved toward a more critical and realistic view due to the side effects of urban growth.
Keywords
American Dream, New York City, Urbanization, Industrialization, Frank Sinatra, Jay-Z, Alicia Keys, Empire State of Mind, Celebrity Culture, Social Inequality, Migration, Song Analysis, Modernity, Cultural Change, Metropolis.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core focus of this publication?
The work examines how the perception of the American Dream has shifted over time within the context of New York City's urbanization, using music as a lens for this sociological change.
What are the primary themes explored?
Central themes include urban growth, the evolution of the American Dream, the influence of mass immigration, the allure of celebrity culture, and the negative social consequences of metropolitan life.
What is the central research question?
The paper asks whether the urbanization of the American metropolis has negatively influenced the stereotypical American Dream, transforming it into a more realistic and cynical version of success.
Which scientific methodology is employed?
The author utilizes a literary and thematic analysis framework based on cultural history and musicology to interpret lyrical content, stylistic devices, and historical circumstances surrounding the songs.
What does the main body of the work cover?
The main body provides historical background on the American city, introduces the American Dream concept, performs in-depth song analyses, and compares these findings to show a clear cultural shift.
Which keywords best describe the paper?
Key terms include American Dream, New York City, Urbanization, Social Inequality, and Celebrity Culture.
How do the two songs differ in their depiction of New York?
Frank Sinatra’s "New York, New York" portrays an idealized, optimistic dream of success, whereas Jay-Z’s "Empire State of Mind" offers a more nuanced, realistic, and occasionally warning-filled perspective of the city.
What specific impact does Jay-Z describe regarding urbanization?
Jay-Z highlights the stark contrast between fame and social downfall, warning of the risks like drugs, inequality, and the intense competition that comes with modern, high-speed urban life.
- Citar trabajo
- Lara Luisa Schöber (Autor), 2016, The Stereotypical American Dream. Then and Now, Múnich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/438828
