Beginning by outlining the basic development of the ‘land of opportunity’-concept through massive immigration from Europe in the 19th and 20th century, I will continue to show why even back then there have been quite a few contradictions between the new nation’s ideals and the reality that people, especially blacks, experienced in those days, implying that opportunity was only available to a very limited amount of people.
The Civil Rights Movement in the 1960s was merely able to raise society’s awareness of the problem because afterwards most people simply kept on believing the lie of living in the ‘land of the free’. Education, housing and income continued to differ widely between blacks and whites, causing not only resentment and poverty on one side, but also leading to pseudo- scientific attempts to explain those differences based on racial characteristics.
Analyzing ‘The Pursuit Of Happyness’ I will try to show the ambiguity of criticism of racial differences and America’s ruthless individualism on the one hand, and of promotion of the traditional American Dream concept on the other.
Following the question, if the movie is as critical and sarcastic as the title suggests, I will then try to point out some of the major symbols and metaphors used to enhance the contrast between rich and poor and black and white in the movie, also explaining why Chris Gardner could be seen as an American Adam.
Finally, I will try to give a short overview of racial inequality today, connecting it to my movie analysis in order to answer the question whether ‘The Pursuit of Happyness’ manages to portray an adequate picture of the contemporary perception of the ‘land of opportunity’-concept: Is money still a matter of color?
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
2. Historical Development of the 'Land of Opportunity' Concept
3. The Civil Rights Movement and Persistent Inequality
4. Analysis of 'The Pursuit of Happyness'
4.1 Narrative Structure and Point of View
4.2 Symbols and Metaphors in the Film
4.3 The Protagonist as the American Adam
5. Contemporary Racial Inequality and the American Dream
6. Conclusion
Objectives and Topics
The paper examines whether the movie "The Pursuit of Happyness" provides an authentic critique of the American "land of opportunity" concept, or if it ultimately reinforces traditional narratives of the American Dream despite ongoing racial and economic inequalities.
- Evolution of the "land of opportunity" concept in American history.
- Critique of racial disparity and economic inequality in the United States.
- Symbolism and the construction of the "American Adam" archetype in film.
- Discrepancy between the American Dream myth and contemporary social reality.
- Analysis of social mobility and the influence of systemic factors.
Excerpt from the Book
The Protagonist as the American Adam
Even though Chris is black, he is depicted as the typical American Adam with all core characteristics that make up American virtuousness: he is not only hard- working, self- reliant and persistent, but also utterly honest and innocent, feeling truly sorry for example when he has to jump out of the taxi because he cannot pay the driver. His role as a loving father thus makes him even more amiable because as quite drastically illustrated by his car accident (01:00:24) or by donating blood for money (01:42:06), he is ready to go even beyond his limits, in order to be able to take care of his son. This characterization makes it easy to relate to him, thus tricking people into identifying with this disadvantaged character and believing that his story could have actually happened that way and might even happen to them.
His complete devotion to creating a better life for him and his son almost assumes inhuman proportions because he combines parenting, working and studying all while being homeless and penniless. He never loses neither his confidence nor his charm and is of course rewarded, in the end, by being the chosen one for the job: “This part of my life, this little part, is called happiness”(01:51:00). When walking hand in hand with Christopher in the end, it is of course a black businessman that they pass, foreshadowing their bright future and showing that race doesn’t matter anymore these days.
Summary of Chapters
1. Introduction: This chapter outlines the paper's scope, including the historical context of the 'land of opportunity' concept and the focus on the film 'The Pursuit of Happyness'.
2. Historical Development of the 'Land of Opportunity' Concept: This section traces the origins of American national identity from the Mayflower Compact to the industrial era, highlighting early restrictions on equality.
3. The Civil Rights Movement and Persistent Inequality: This chapter discusses how, despite the Civil Rights Movement, systemic racial and economic disparities persisted throughout the 20th century.
4. Analysis of 'The Pursuit of Happyness': This chapter critiques the film's narrative strategies, its use of symbols, and its portrayal of Chris Gardner as a modern American Adam.
5. Contemporary Racial Inequality and the American Dream: This section compares the film's optimistic message with current data on wealth and education gaps between white and minority families.
6. Conclusion: This final chapter synthesizes the findings, arguing that the film fails to provide a convincing critique of society because it ultimately validates the American Dream myth.
Keywords
American Dream, Land of Opportunity, The Pursuit of Happyness, Chris Gardner, Racial Inequality, Social Mobility, American Adam, Economic Disparity, Civil Rights Movement, Individualism, Self-Reliance, Film Analysis, Social Critique, Wealth Gap, Identity
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary focus of this research paper?
The paper evaluates the film "The Pursuit of Happyness" in the context of the American "land of opportunity" concept to determine if the movie effectively critiques societal inequalities or merely upholds the American Dream myth.
What are the core themes explored in this work?
Key themes include the historical development of American national ideals, the reality of racial and economic disparity, the power of cinematic symbolism, and the persistence of the "self-made man" narrative.
What is the central research question?
The main question is whether the movie provides an accurate reflection of the contemporary perception of the "land of opportunity," specifically asking: Is money still a matter of color?
Which methodology is employed in this study?
The author uses a cultural and film-critical approach, analyzing narrative structure, symbolic elements, and juxtaposing the film's depiction of reality with empirical data on racial and economic inequality.
What topics are covered in the main body of the paper?
The body covers historical background, an analysis of the protagonist's characterization as an "American Adam," an examination of filmic metaphors, and a discussion of modern sociological data regarding income and education.
Which keywords best characterize this research?
Essential keywords include American Dream, Racial Inequality, Social Mobility, American Adam, and The Pursuit of Happyness.
How does the author interpret the significance of the misspelled "Happyness" in the movie title?
The author suggests the misspelling is a symbolic element that enhances the contrast between rich and poor, hinting at the difficulties faced by those in the bottom half of society who are unable to achieve traditional happiness.
Why is the protagonist, Chris Gardner, described as an "American Adam"?
He is described as an "American Adam" because he embodies core American virtues—he is hardworking, innocent, persistent, and honest—thereby making it easy for the audience to identify with his struggles and believe in the potential for individual success.
What is the author's final conclusion regarding the movie?
The author concludes that despite the film's attempts to portray hardship, it ultimately fails to voice a meaningful criticism of societal shortcomings because it clings to the "self-made man" narrative and glorifies the American Dream.
- Arbeit zitieren
- Anonym (Autor:in), 2014, The ’Land of Opportunity’-Concept Revised. The Color of Wealth in Steven Conrad’s ”The Pursuit of Happyness“, München, GRIN Verlag, https://www.hausarbeiten.de/document/336345
