How to Attain and Maintain the American Dream in Imbolo Mbue’s "Behold the Dreamers"

Brygida Gasztold

Abstract


My article examines Imbolo Mbue’s novel Behold the Dreamers (2016), as a literary representation of the American Dream myth from two opposite sides: the old-stock, white Americans and the recent African immigrants. Through the lens of the protagonist’s legal status, social class, race, and gender, I explore the factors that obstruct the attainment of the American Dream, revealing its gaps and elisions. I argue that Mbue’s novel is both a representation of and a critical response to the Dream’s appeal premised upon the notion that it is as difficult to attain as to maintain the American Dream. By discussing those aspects that still support the Dream in the 21 st century’s socio-economic environment, and illuminating those that debunk its myth, I assess its vitality and aspirational power.

Keywords


The American Dream; African immigrants; white privilege

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References


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DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.17951/lsmll.2024.48.2.49-61
Date of publication: 2024-07-10 11:05:31
Date of submission: 2023-06-18 20:01:53


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