Throughout the 19th and 20th centuries, the notion of upward mobility was a recurrent motif in American culture, notably in literature. The American Dream, which affirms that anybody may succeed through perseverance and hard effort, is reflected in this myth. This essay will examine Eminem, a modern pop culture figure who has come to symbolize the American Dream. The movement toward success, despite the accompanying obstacles and authorities, is a characteristic symbol of modern culture, including that manifested in the work of Eminem.
The myth of upward mobility is a concept that has been explored by many writers throughout the 19th and 20th centuries. According to Cullen (2003), “upward mobility remained possible, but the terms had a decisively racial cast” (p. 61). In other words, regardless of talent or predisposition, a person clearly experienced difficulties in self-development if he or she belonged to an ethnic minority. As a result, in the era of the absence of legal regulations protecting the individual and freedom, the concept under consideration was not universal.
The American Dream and the notion that everyone can succeed if they work hard enough are both reflected in Alger’s novels. The American boy begins at the bottom of the ladder, but he has aspirations to move up, as Alger (1892) put it: “The American boy starts with an aspiration, and that aspiration is to rise higher” (p. 24). The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald is another work of literature that examines the illusion of upward mobility. The story of Jay Gatsby, a poor guy “with some heightened sensitivity to the promises of life,” who later became wealthy and successful through criminal activity, is told in the book (Fitzgerald, 1925, p. 5). The tale demonstrates how some people turn to illicit means of achieving success and that the American Dream is not always attainable via diligence and integrity.
Fitzgerald (1925) presents the idea that the American Dream is a mirage that can only be achieved through deception and fraud. One of the most striking quotes from the book is when the narrator, Nick Carraway, reflects on Gatsby’s rise to wealth and status: “I see now that this has been a story of the West, after all—Tom and Gatsby, Daisy and Jordan and I, were all Westerners, and perhaps we possessed some deficiency in common which made us subtly unadaptable to Eastern life” (Fitzgerald, 1925, p. 176). This quote highlights the theme of the impossibility of upward mobility in the East, despite Gatsby’s wealth and status.
The novel shows that the American Dream is not attainable through hard work and honesty but rather through corrupt and illegal activities. As Nick states earlier in the novel, “I was a little shocked at the elaborateness of the lie” (Fitzgerald, 1925, p. 48). This quote refers to Gatsby’s false backstory, which he creates to impress others and hide his criminal activities. Fitzgerald’s story exposes the brutal reality of the quest for riches and prestige, in contrast to Alger’s books, which depict an overly simplified and idealized picture of the American Dream. The Great Gatsby shows that the American Dream is a complicated and frequently false idea that is intricately entwined with the less desirable parts of American society rather than a certain result of hard work and perseverance.
The concept of upward mobility that permeates the writings of Cullen, Alger, and Fitzgerald is also apparent in Eminem’s songs. The rise of the rapper from a working-class, impoverished upbringing to one of the most popular and recognizable musicians in the world, is a classic example of a rags-to-riches tale with a “protest song” style (Fosbraey, 2022, p. 143). Thus, such growth is an example of vertical mobility, when success and recognition increase enormously.
Eminem’s tale is an example of triumph over challenges unrelated to race, such as poverty and a challenging upbringing. He typically uses themes of abuse, neglect, and poverty in his rhymes to describe his terrible upbringing, which, nevertheless, highlights his individual “authenticity and identity” (Fosbraey, 2022, p. 122). The rapper serves as an example of someone who, in spite of great odds, overcame them and succeeded. Second, Eminem frequently tackles contentious subjects in his music, including drug misuse, domestic violence, and mental health. His texts were often criticized due to a large amount of obscene language. One can assume that his music gives a voice to people who have been marginalized and silenced by society. Ultimately, Eminem’s music captures the evolution of American society and culture. Contemporary concerns like racism, police brutality, and governmental corruption are all addressed in his music. As a result, Eminem’s music appeals to a younger audience and reflects the shifting values of American culture.
Moreover, Eminem’s vocabulary and tone choices are consistent with his reinvention of the idea of upward mobility. His songs are unpolished, unfiltered, and forthright, which is characteristic of the modern war to success and recognition but is different from that promoted in past eras. This demonstrates how language and censorship are viewed differently in American culture, especially in the field of popular culture. The idea of upward mobility, traced in Eminem’s songs, emphasizes the modern vision of the American path to success. Moving forward, despite obstacles and authority, and maintaining a personal identity in an environment where imitation is common are clear indications of the modern mobility seen in Eminem’s music. His tale is one of overcoming enormous challenges and embracing one’s own uniqueness and originality rather than just working hard and being honest.
In addition, the rapper’s success in the music business has created chances for other people from disadvantaged backgrounds to flourish and be noticed. By upending the established quo and establishing new avenues for success, he has paved the way for musicians and other artists who do not fit the conventional model of a successful musician. Eminem’s music presents a distinctive viewpoint on social mobility in America by highlighting the societal shifts in values and cultural norms. Eminem’s tale acts as motivation for individuals pursuing success in their own life by overcoming adversity and embracing authenticity and originality. By following an exclusively creative impulse and not taking commercial success into account, the rapper proves by his own example that virtue, supplemented by perseverance, will surely resonate among grateful listeners. Therefore, his success can be assessed as a combination of long work and the right message to society.
Eminem’s music updates and modifies the myth of upward mobility in a number of ways by expressing the modern principle of moving towards success, regardless of obstacles and authorities. His story defies the idea that hard effort and perseverance are the only factors that determine upward mobility because he overcame barriers that transcend race. His provocative songs that tackle hot-button issues give a voice to individuals who have been ostracized and silenced by society, reflecting the shifting cultural and social climate in America. Speaking to a new generation of listeners and reflecting the shifting interests of American culture, Eminem’s music represents the progression of American society and culture. By embracing new types of authenticity and highlighting the value of embracing one’s own uniqueness and creativity, Eminem’s music ultimately offers a new viewpoint on what it means to be successful in America.
References
Alger, H. (1868). Ragged Dick, or street life in New York with the Boot-Blacks. A. K. Loring.
Cullen, J. B. (2003). Dream of the good life (II): Upward mobility. In The American dream: A short history of an idea that shaped a nation (pp. 59-102). Oxford University Press.
Fitzgerald, F. S. (1925). The Great Gatsby. Scribner.
Fosbraey, G. (2022). Eminem and language. In Reading Eminem: A critical, lyrical analysis (pp. 121-176). Springer International Publishing.