Essays

American Dream vs. ‘’British Dream’’

To what extent can a ‘’British Dream’’ and the common idea of The American Dream be compared? In the following essay I will prove that the dreams and wishes Job as a major protagonist of Amanda Craig’s novel Hearts and Minds pursues by coming to London are particularly similar to the ambitions of the well-known American Dream, which I will illustrate by taking Cándido’s and América’s sweven (The Tortilla Curtain) as an example. At first I will give a clear definition of what can be understood as The American Dream followed by the contrast of Job’s British Dream and América’s and Cándido’s American Dream by telling their version of The Dream first in and will refer to the question whether the expression ‘’American failure’’ would match better.

Although the definitions of The American Dream vary, there are essential key elements and typical ideas, which are shared by the greater part of people. In general, it describes that every American can achieve his or her aim through hard work and freedom of choice regardless of their social background. It also contains the idea of self-reliance and responsibility. James Truslow defines The American Dream to be “that dream of a land in which life should be better and richer and fuller for everyone, with opportunity for each according to ability or achievement”. The fundamental ideas of equality, independence, liberty and the pursuit of happiness are also embedded in the Declaration of Independence. During the boom of the US economy in the beginning of the 20th century, the terms “from rags to riches” and later “from dishwasher to billionaire” were created. It means that everybody has the opportunity to embark on a personal success story, no matter which social class they were born into. On the contrary though many who try to fulfill their own American Dream feel betrayed because of their failure and their dreams become nightmares.
Even today an enormously high amount of South Americans enter/immigrate the United States in search of a better life like Cándido and América do in The Tortilla Curtain. They both stay in the US without permission and therefore live with the daily fear of being ejected or even violently kicked out, but that does not detain them from following their dream of fulfilling the ideal of The American Dream. Although Cándido’s views are traditional, he is willing to work hard. He embodies the contrary of being lazy: from day to day he is hunting for a job and if he is lucky to get one (maybe only lasting a few hours even) he does his work properly and diligently. Càndido would never break principles like stealing as far as it does not concern his wife or child’s life; he tries to reach The American Dream honestly and fairly. Even though both of the two face a drastically high amount of misfortunes they never stop believing in god. Cándido especially is convinced by the ideal of the American Dream and trusts god who would support and assist him; during their story Cándido never loses his belief and faces the concept of becoming a rich by starting as a rag with optimism and confidence. In opposition to her husband América is not as courageous as him; after facing appalling disasters (e.g. rape) she disillusions and questions the ideas of The American Dream until she finally gives them up and falls into deep despair. For her the concept of The American Dream especially means modest, superficial living standards (e.g. small white house, pretty clothes).
To what extent can Job’s dream/ story in Hearts and Minds be compared to Cándido and América’s? Like the two Mexicans Job arrives in London without permission and stays there illegally due to political oppression, injustice and violence he faced in his home country Zimbabwe, where he left his wife and family. Also his biggest fear is to be ejected back ‘’into hell’’ again. He as well dreamt of London to be the best place for making a life. Like Cándido he feels lucky to be working and does it as hard as possible by even taking on two jobs, facing a sixteen-hour day every day treating his colleagues honestly and fairly. In contrast to Cándido though he is highly educated, skilled, is speaking English perfectly, well read and is even in possession of a ‘’pompus degree certificate from Harare University’’; his qualifications do not improve his opportunities on the job market though. Like the Mexican couple Job ‘’broods on his many misfortunes’’; by coming to London the African faced bad luck almost every day although his misfortunes need to be understood in a different dimension compared to América, who was raped and lost her baby for instance. And although he confronts ‘’fog and poverty’’ he enjoys laws and justice being prevailed in the UK. As Cándido and América he never looses his courage and his power of endurance; he does not give up and always keeps on going. Additionally he is very religious as well and never ceases believing in god’s strength, who protects his wife and family back home; in contrast to Cándido though he questions god in some ways by feeling ‘’abandoned by (him)’’ sometimes. The biggest difference between Job’s ‘’British Dream’’ and América’s and Cándido’s American Dream is though that Job is able to make a life in London although it’s midget and modest: He has a small tiny room/ a living place for himself, he has two constant jobs and a (little) stable income of which half he sends home. Like Cándido and América he stays always stays with one’s own kind meaning he only gets in touch with people like him: poor immigrants of the working class; for British citizens he stays invisible like Cándido does and disappears in the black market. In comparison to The Torilla Curtain he does not belong anywhere as well and ‘’falls endlessly through the air with nobody to catch him’’. The ample exception is shown during performing his minicab-driving job, where he meets Polly and her son Robbie. In opposition to Cándido and América he is able to mingle with members of the middle class of the UK, which means his perspective of upgrade is not as purposeless as Cándido’s; he even starts building up a friendship with Polly and Tariq in some way. Job follows the motto ‘’Never complain, never explain; keep your mouth shut, mind your own business, and nobody will even know you’re here’’; like Cándido and América he tries never to attract attention, which make their chances of promotion almost impossible.
In conclusion The American Dream of Cándido and América is more similar to Job’s ‘’British Dream’’ than first expected. All in all their motives, intensions and experiences they face are akin meaning the concept of The American Dream is not dependent on the country (US), but can also be applied on other ‘’Dreams’’ in other countries, other worlds, other societies. Although Cándido’s and América’s story represents the exaggeration of an ‘’American failure’’, Job’s story proves though by that hard work, power of endurance, toughness and strength one is able to build up a life although it might be small. One can be sure though that ‘’on small pieces of good fortune the graces of one’s life depends’’.