Kwon,+Youjin

How does the importance and/or definition of the American Dream change between generations?

Many people have desired achieve the American Dream, regardless of the disparity that exists in the definition of the dream. In Joy Luck Club by Amy Tan, An-Mei and Rose Hsu, the Chinese immigrants, also have their American Dream.. An-Mei, the first generation of immigrant and Rose, the American born daughter each has different versions of American Dream. The definition of American Dream that they want to achieve is changed between generations.

The definition of Rose’s dream is a freedom in contrast to An-Mei’s material desire. Rose becomes a passive person after she fails to save her youngest brother Bing. She is always swayed by other people. Rose keeps asking Ted, “ What should we do?” even though she must decide things for her own life (Tan 125). When Ted’s dominate manners stops, their marriage also falls apart. Inside, Rose dreams of finding a true freedom to make her life happy. Her dream is different from An-Mei has for her daughter. An-Mei wants her daughter to save the marriage because she wishes the best for Rose in worldly way. Since, in Chinese community, getting a divorce is shameful thing to do, she tells Rose that saving a marriage is “not reason. This is your fate. This is your life, what you must do”(139). An-Mei believes that Rose’s life is more secure in marriage with a doctor than alone. Their dreams are very different in that Rose wants a freedom, while An-mei wants security.

Rose’s dream is smaller and simpler than that of An-Mei. Throughout the book, Rose’s character, in a way, is a foil to her mother's. For instance, Rose has suffered much because of her failing marriage; she spends sleepless nights wondering why “he has chosen to sign it (divorce paper) with that pen,” the pen that he had promised to use only on important occasions (212). She even goes to see a psychiatrist because she cannot handle the pain. An-Mei, on the other hand, is dispassionate and retaliates the wrongs. When An-Mei’s mother commits suicide and young An-Mei receives the highest standing in the family, she crushes the pearl necklace of the Second Wife under her foot. She avenges so that “Second Wife’s hair turn white” and “shout” for justice (272). Unlike that of her mother, Rose simply tells Ted that he can’t just pull her out of his life like a weed (219). Rose’s dream is not to revenge or to obtain the maximum divorce payment, but she simply asks for the house that she lives.

Despite the differences in the dream of the mother and the daughter, both of their dreams include optimism. They both encounter calamity that seemed overwhelming, but they do not despair. Rose, after suffering from insomnia and pain at the divorce, finally finds her inner voice. She is no longer afraid of Ted. She tells Ted that he cannot control her and realizes that “the power of her (my) words was (that) strong” (219). Likewise, An-Mei finds her conviction. Although An-Mei becomes an orphan in a terrible household and was forced to live with the very people who drove her mom to death, she does not despair. According to her conviction, she swallows her tears and sets out her life new in America. Through generations, the definition of American Dreams changes significantly, but An-Mei and Rose both embrace optimism in their dreams.

An-Mei and Rose Hsu each achieves some part of their American Dreams, but they define the dreams differently. The definition of the American Dream changes between generations. An-Mei wanted material wealth, while Rose desires a freedom. An-Mei strives for revenge, while Rose simply wants smaller things like a house. Despite perceived disparity in the definition of their dreams, Rose and An-mei sustain their optimism. This mother and daughter pair is both drawn to the same aspect of the American Dream: hope. The phrase "American Dream" was coined in 1931, during the Great Depression. People were only capable of dreaming in the most difficult period. Similarly, Rose and An-Mei experience challenges throughout their life, dreaming different dream, but persisting in hope to overcome the obstacles.

Peer edit - Erica (Youjin Kwon)

Peer edit - Susan

Peer Edit by Matt Kim