The Roots of Disillusioned American Dream in Typical American

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 上海对外经贸大学/古冬华

【Abstract】 Typical American is one of Gish Jen’s notablenovels catching attention of the American literary circle. Themotif of disillusioned American dream can be seen clearlythrough the experiences of three main characters. Fromperspectives of the consumer culture and cultural conflicts, thispaper analyzes the roots of the disillusioned American dream inthe novel.

【Key words】 Typical American; Disillusioned AmericanDream; Consumer Culture; Cultural Conflicts

Typical American is mainly about three Chinese immigrantsand how they are inspired, seduced, and betrayed by the promiseof the American Dream. In the process of realizing Americandream and pursuing money to show their values, they becomespiritual vacancy and the victims of consumer society. Fromperspectives of the consumer culture and cultural conflicts, thispaper analyzes the roots of the disillusioned American dream inthe novel.

1. The Influence of Consumer Culture on Chinese AmericanA “consumer culture” is one whose economy is definedby the buying and spending of consumer. In a consumer society,people pursue money and material. They think money iseverything. They realize their value by their fortunes. However,the crazy pursuit leads to the vacancy of people’s soul. Wesee all the Chinese immigrants in Typical American willingly orunwillingly accept the values of consumer society while pursuingtheir American dream.

When arriving in America, Ralph resisted the temptationsof the material world. “He studied as he walked, as he ate.”

He prepared to return home to serve the country and honor hisparents after graduation. The mockery of consumer society madehim miserable. When his last hope of continuing to complete thedoctoral degree was rejected, his world fell apart. He had nothing.

So he slept, over day and night and even wanted to take his ownlife. It’s just the suffering in the United States that made Ralphhave a strong desire to change the situation.

Theresa is very tradition in her inner heart, but after manyyears in the United States, she gradually agreed with the valuesof the consumer society. When educating children, Ralph toldthem that the most important thing in the United States wasmoney. “In this country, you have money, you can do anything.

You have no money, you are nobody. You are just Chinaman!”

Theresa was very angry that Ralph instilled worship of money onhis two nieces. Although she did not agree with what his brotherdid, she still kept silent. This was reality. If we say that Ralphand Theresa were forced to accept the consumer culture, his wifeHelen, friend Henry Zhao and Henry’s wife Janice Zhao werepursuing what the Americans were pursuing. Their daily topicwas about how to pursue the material wealth such as cars, houses,clothing and so on.

2. The Conflicts between Chinese Culture and American CultureThough the Chinese immigrants in Typical Americanaccept consumer culture, it is not easy for them to integrate intoAmerican society. The Chinese tradition and value still have aninfluence on them. They are caught between two cultures. FromRalph, the culture conflicts can be seen easily. He is a potentialAmerican, but he is influenced by Chinese Confucianism. TheChinese Confucianism emphasizes responsibility and the spirit ofgroup and society, while individualism attaches much importanceto the personality, freedom, self-sufficiency and self-power. Ralphchooses to follow American individualism. He even sacrificeshis wife, family and everything to open the fried-chicken store.

With the adding influence of American culture, Ralph is facedwith culture conflicts. He seems to get a double identity. In fact,he loses his own culture identity. Thus, his American dream isdisillusioned at last.

Helen is a traditional Chinese woman, following manyChinese traditions. She is a housewife in her family. She cooksfor her family, does household duties, and takes care of them. Shesubmits to her husband and never wants to resist her husband’srudeness to her. These are Chinese culture’s characteristics. Butin American society, she is gradually influenced by Americanculture. She is eager to escape from her husband’s rule andfollows what she wants. Hence, she accepts Grover’s touchand love. She keeps the immoral affair with Grover. These showthe conflicts of two cultures. The contradiction leads to thedisillusioned American dream.

“It’s an American story,” Gish Jen says at the beginningof Typical American. The story of typical American can expandto all cultural groups. In order to pursue “American dream”

and live better, the overseas people should break through theconstraints of consumer culture and absorb the essence oforiginal and local culture. Typical American contributes practicalsignificance in study and in life.

References:

[1]Homi Bhabha,The Location of Culture,New York:Routledge,1994.

[2]Gish Jen,Typical American,New York:Penguin Books USA Inc.,1991.

[3]陆薇.走向文化研究的华裔美国文学[M].北京:中华书局,2007.

作者简介：古冬华(1989-)，女，汉族，河南南阳人，上海对外经贸大学在读研究生，研究方向：英美文学。