THE EVOLUTION OF THE AMERICAN DREAM IN ENGLISH LITERATURE: A JOURNEY OF HOPE, DESIRE, AND DISILLUSIONMENT

Abstract

The American Dream is a powerful concept in English literature that focuses on equal rights for all the people. This research paper examines how the American Dream is depicted and characterized across various works of English literature, exploring critical perspectives. The purpose of this study is to understand how the American Dream has been depicted in literature and how these portrayals mirror and respond to changes in societal values and conditions. This study involves a close and deep reading of selected literary texts from various time periods and assembles a comparative analysis to highlight changes in its representations over time. The findings indicate that earlier literature represents the American Dream as a symbol of boundless opportunity, while more recent works offer a critical view analyzing moral dilemmas of American society. These literary portraits provide thought-provoking reflections and helpful perspectives into the changing nature of these ideals. This article will provide information about different writers' perspectives, their ideas, and how they have interpreted the idea. The concept was used before 1776 and first coined as a phrase in 1931 by James Truslow Adams in his book Epic of America. In this research paper, the American Dream encompasses ideals of liberty, equality, chances, and the chasing of joy. Overall, the American Dream in English literature assists as a reflection of society's dreams, struggles, and the excessive development of the quest of happiness and success in the American context.