The American Dream and the California Dream share a number of similarities. Both dreams guarantee every American the right to liberty, life, and the pursuit of happiness. However, in the California Dream the social culture changes rapidly compared to the American culture. Ever since the first immigrants came to America, California has been an admirable place (Rawls 13). With favorable weather conditions, the place offers a number of opportunities. The article below defines the California Dream based on a number of essays and an extract from the Day of the Locust.
According to A Place, A People, A Dream, the California Dream is based on anticipation (Rawls 10). Rawls asserts that the dream guarantees to accomplish Californians’ deepest yearning for prospects, victory, favorable weather conditions, beauty, wellbeing, freedom, and liberty (Rawls 13). In spite of the high hopes of these captivating guarantees, Rawls believes that the dream at all times does not turn into a reality for many individuals.
In his article, Rawls believes that California has always been a place of both hopes and disappointment (Rawls 16). Living in California implies that you have the ability to exploit a variety of opportunities available in the region. Based on the above article, the definition of California Dream is inconsistent (Rawls 26). The author believes that the region is a place of unbelievable enterprises and luck. According to the author, in the region no one can fault the state for failing to provide its inhabitants with equal opportunities to prosper. However, the author warns that in California nothing is to be taken for granted (Rawls 17). Californians have little knowledge on the perception that their dream posts are not automatically dependent on their credentials. He illustrates that the reality of achieving these ambitions depends on the immigrants’ abilities to grasp the available opportunities.
The definition California Dream is illustrated in the Day of the Locust (West 334). The short story portrays a different definition of California dream unlike other literatures. Through this, it introduces the reader to the harsh realities of California. The author illustrates the fancy of star-struck California.
The region has numerous amusement joints such as Hollywood to entertain those who come in pursuit for fantasy. According to the author, a number of people aspire to travel to the region with the aim of exploiting the available opportunities. However, being a residence of California does not imply that one will attain his or her life expectations. In spite of the high hopes and captivating guarantees, the dream at all times does not turn into reality for many individuals. West asserts that new immigrants to the region within a short time identify that sunshine is not everything. He notes that the individuals soon get bored with the fancy structures of the region. He further notes that as their boredom increases the individuals recognize that the California Dream has tricked them.
Another definition of the California Dream is depicted in the pictures painted by the main character in the short story. In the picture, the dream is depicted with cynicism. When Tod sees the immigrants flocking to California he asserts that they had come to the region to die (West 333). In one of his pictures, The Burning of Los Angeles, he illustrates the dream having been diminished. He represents the lower class of California with badly cut clothing. The picture depicts the harsh reality of the California Dream (West 334). As such, the immigrants are represented as the dreamers. They came to the region hoping to be successful and enjoy the services offered. According to the author, a number of these dreamers live in bitterness because their Californian Dream diminished.
In addition, another definition of the California Dream is presented when Tod witnesses the architectural structures of Pinyon Canyon (West 334). In the region, he sees different architectural structures constructed based on the immigrants native regions. He is surprised by the structure’s poor quality. To him, the structures illustrate a failed yearning to come up with a romanticized setting depicted in the California Dream. Even though the California Dream guarantees splendor and contentment, the cruelty and sorrow of the region surprises Tod (West 334).
In conclusion, it should be noted that in California Dream is defined based on a number of literatures. As indicated above, a number of people aspire to travel to the region with the aim of exploiting the available opportunities. However, being a residence of California does not imply that one will attain his or her life expectations. In spite of the high hopes and captivating guarantees, the dream at all times does not turn into reality for many individuals. West asserts that new immigrants to the region within a short time identify that sunshine is not everything. Based on the various literatures focusing on the California Dream, it is apparent that the paradox in how the dream can be understood is creepy and very exciting when analyzed based on how the dream came about.
Works Cited
Rawls, James. California: A Place, A People, A Dream . 2008. Web.
West, Nathanael. The Day of The locust. 2008. Web.