Reflection-p.4

Another way to better understand the American individual is to examine its opposite. Conformity is the most logical opposite of individualism. Holden Caulfield and Kennedy were against conformity. However, many Americans seem to embrace it. The prime example of conformity within American society is "The American Dream." To follow the American dream is to have a family, a successful job, lots of money, and to live happily ever after in complete harmony. The idea of the American dream dates back to the first industrial revolution when anything seemed possible. After that, immigrants would flock to America in search of this idyllic lifestyle often portrayed in movies and books. The American Dream can often elude people and has very few success stories except maybe in fairy tales. The Great Gatsby shows us a different side of "The American Dream." It is an example of The American Dream eluding Gatsby. Jay Gatsby is an avid pursuer of the American dream. He feels he must be successful and wealthy in order to be worthy enough to win over Daisy. By being a prime example of the American dream Gatsby feels everything will then fall into place. However, unlike Cinderella Gatsby did not live happily ever after. He fulfilled the thought American dream and yet still wasn't satisfied.

James Agee presents a different perspective on the individual success in his book on the common man. The common man is the man who sometimes goes unnoticed, who doesn't do anything noteworthy in his life, and who sort of blends into society. The common man can be successful although his achievements may never be known to the world. The common man's success does not fit the text book definition of the American success story. However, this isn't to say the common man isn't just as important as the person who is recognized for their achievements. As James Agee says in his book, //Let Us Now Praise Famous Men//, the common man should be celebrated. The book was intended to tell a story of the white share-croppers during the time of Roosevelt's new deal. The book ends with a poem that sums up the message of the injustice of overlooking the common man. The common man may not be as well known as the the achievers, but that certainly doesn't make him any less important. This book teaches that the noteworthy reflect only one measure of success. They are often viewed as the elite in American society. Yet both the common man and the successful man have their merits. The successful individual is what makes America diverse and unique. The successful individual provides reform and change for the better. The common man is the voice of the people, he allows the country to implement the reforms created by the successful individual. Without either type America could not successfully pursue its potential. Back