The american dream and the american nightmare in literature by William D. Howells and Henry James

This term paper deals with the origin of the American Dream, with the American Nightmare and with the two novels "The Rise of Silas Lapham" written by William D. Howell (1885) and "The American" by Henry James (1877). The term paper mainly concentrates on the main characters and their social life and shows that the protagonists, who live the way that the term “American Dream” implies, experience the seamy side of the American Dream. The American Dream has a long history which goes back several hundred years. For some
people the American Dream might stand for property, for others it might be the image of
freedom and equality. By all means, the American Dream promises a more comfortable life
and the realization of the deepest dreams. But reality can turn the American Dream into the
American Nightmare. Searching for a well paid job to raise their standards of living, people
acknowledge that it is difficult to move up the economic ladder. Longing for equal
opportunity, people face discrimination due to their race or social class.
This term paper deals with the origin of the American Dream and two novels The Rise of
Silas Lapham written by William D. Howell, originally published in 1885, and The American
by Henry James published in 1877. The term paper mainly concentrates on the main
characters and their social life and shows that the protagonists, who live the way that the term
“American Dream” implies, experience the seamy side of the American Dream. Before Europeans had moved to the new continent, the first immigrants living in America
were Asians (Jordan, Winthrop D./Leon F. Litwack. The United States, Conquering a
Continent Volume 1. California: North West, 2003: 1). In 1492, Christopher Columbus
discovered an unknown continent which was named “America” after the explorer Amerigo
Vespucci. Reports of America visitors connected the impression of America with “a paradise
on earth” and the “El Dorado” and thus attracted people (Freese, Peter. The American Dream
and the American Nightmare: General Aspects and Literary Examples. Paderborner
Universitätsreden 7. Paderborn: Universität-Gesamthochschule, 1987: 8). Terrible and
dangerous life situations, daily suffered by men and women during the “Protestant
Reformation”, forced victims of “religious persecution” to flee the countries (Freese 1987:
10). Searching for protection, they moved from the “Old World” to the “New World” (15).

Table of Contents

• I. The American Dream often turns into the American Nightmare....
• II. The American Dream and the American Nightmare in literature by William D. Howells and Henry James...
• 1. The Origin of the American Dream...
• 2. Summary and Comparison of William D. Howells' The Rise of Silas Lapham and Henry James' The American...
• 3. Success and Exclusion......
• 3.1. "From rags to riches".
• 3.2. Negative influence on the personality by business and wealth.
• 3.3. Individual progress……...
• 3.4. Irreconcilable differences...
• 3.4.1. Futile endeavors for social acceptance...
• 3.4.2. Antagonism between America and Europe……………….
• III. People partially acquire the fruits of the American Dream......

Objectives and Key Themes

This paper examines the American Dream and its potential transformation into the American Nightmare through the lens of two novels: The Rise of Silas Lapham by William D. Howells and The American by Henry James. The paper delves into the origin of the American Dream, highlighting key themes like “Manifest Destiny”, “Frontiers”, “Liberty and Equality” and “Multi-Ethnicity”. The paper then compares the protagonists' journeys, showcasing the complex relationship between individual success, social exclusion, and the pursuit of the American Dream.

• The origin and evolution of the American Dream
• The impact of wealth and social status on individual lives
• The tension between individual aspirations and societal expectations
• The complexities of social mobility and class distinctions in America
• The contrasting perspectives on the American Dream in 19th century literature

Chapter Summaries

Chapter I introduces the concept of the American Dream and its potential pitfalls. The chapter explores the historical roots of the American Dream, emphasizing the promises of prosperity, freedom, and equality. However, it also highlights the challenges faced by individuals striving for a better life, including economic hardship and social discrimination.

Chapter II delves deeper into the American Dream and its portrayal in literature. It begins by examining the origins of the American Dream, emphasizing the role of myth, religion, and politics in shaping this ideal. The chapter then analyzes the novels The Rise of Silas Lapham and The American, exploring the protagonists' pursuit of success and their encounters with social barriers. The chapter examines the protagonists' struggles with social acceptance, highlighting the limitations of social mobility and the potential for the American Dream to turn into the American Nightmare.

Keywords

The primary keywords and focus topics of this work include the American Dream, the American Nightmare, social mobility, class distinctions, wealth, success, exclusion, individual aspiration, social acceptance, The Rise of Silas Lapham, The American, William D. Howells, Henry James, and 19th century American literature. The paper explores these concepts through the lens of historical context and literary analysis, offering a nuanced perspective on the complex realities of the American Dream and its potential shortcomings.

Details

• College: University of Constance
• Grade: 1,7
• Author: Carolina Hein (Author)
• Publication Year: 2008
• Pages: 13
• Catalog Number: V92625
• ISBN (eBook): 9783638065764
• ISBN (Book): 9783638952774
• Language: English
• Tags: American Dream from rags to riches old money new money nightmare self-made millionaire prosperity success disadvantage exclusion failure William Howells Henry James opportunity social acceptance nobility Old World New World