Rethinking the American Dream in Coney Island of the Mind, Why Wallace?, and Goodbye, Columbus :: Coney Wallace Columbus

Rethinking the American Dream in C whizzy Island of the Mind, Why Wallace?, and Goodbye, Columbus Webster defines a dream as something notable for its beauty, excellence, or enjoyable quality. This seems, logically, something that everyone desires to obtain. However not everyone is the same therefore each dream is not the same. According to certain works of literature regarding the 1950s-60s though, it appears as if many slew are quite disillusioned and believe their dream is the one and only dream suitable for everyone. This American Dream consists of a handsome job, nice spouse, nice house, nice kids, nice car and all the money, money, money you can get your hands on. Anyone who desires differently is unacceptable. But what happens when people finally start to realize, heaven forbid, that this one dream isnt a dream at all and is not the ultimate source of happiness? A rebellion against this materialistic society takes place. Lawrence Ferlinghetti, in his verse A Coney Islan d of the Mind, illustrates this dissatisfaction with American society ...on a concrete continent spaced with bland billboards illustrating imbecile illusions of happiness The scene shows fewer tumbrils but much maimed citizens in painted cars and they have strange license plates and engines that go through America (Ferlinghetti,131). America is supposed to be the great capitalistic society, but Ferlinghetti sees otherwise. Billboards feature of speech material assets in a style showing its necessity for human happiness. By calling this happiness the billboards represent an illusion, Ferlinghetti is speaking out against materialism. This materialism has simply also horribly disfigured America and its citizens. The citizens believe that the more material possessions one has the happier they will be. Ferlinghetti says these material possessions such as cars and fancy license plates devour them instead and are possibly dictating their life. Addressing this issue of a materialist ic society is a common theme among many of the writers during the 1950s and 1960s. In their writings Phillip Roth and Michael Novak both fork over a family of this society. The parents of these writings have an ideal lifestyle and a standard for their children, which gives the children every reason to want to rebel. They want to break away from the thoughts and standards of their parents and society. In Roths novel, Goodbye, Columbus, the temperament Mrs. Patimkin is much like the Andy Restek of Novaks Why