Values Of The American Dream example essay topic

Desecration of the American Dream in Glengarry Glen Ross Glengarry Glen Ross portrays a harsh view of American business that not only contradicts, but also befouls the values of the 'American Dream. ' The idealistic importance of fairness, equality, and the idea that hard work brings success included in this 'dream' of American society is clearly not reality in this play. The values of work ethic, and equal opportunity are betrayed, and there is a notable presence of racism, sexism, and an savage system of 'dog-eat-dog' competition. A main focus of the play is the never-ending hunt for leads. 'Leads' are cards containing information on prospective customers with interest in buying land. Many of these leads are said to be worthless, because of people sending them in without genuine interest in purchasing land.

Others, namely the Glengarry Highlands leads, are highly sought-after 'premium' leads, and are primarily given to top salesmen, or those who are most likely to close the deal. There is a perception of privilege and a cycle of success in acquiring leads in that only those who close the most deals get the leads that are likely to be closed. As If the high commissions for closing deals is not enough motivation for the fierce competition for the leads, there is an earnings contest in which the winner gets a new Cadillac, and the loser gets fired. Gialloreto 2 The presence of racism is clear throughout the play. Early in the play, Shelly Levine, a struggling veteran salesman on a bad streak complains of getting leads from 'Polacks' (p. 21).

Dave Moss, another salesman later refers to Polish clients as 'deadbeat Polacks' (p 29). He then goes on to degrade Indian clients. Richard Roma, a recently successful salesman also refers to Indians as 'deadbeat wogs,' and says, ' [if] Fuckin's hiv a handed him a million dollars and told him 'sign the deal,' he wouldn't sign. ' (p. 63). America is proud of its reputation as a 'melting pot' for many races from all over the world all coming together.

However, this type of racial hatred makes the description of American society as a 'salad bowl's eem much more accurate. These statements clearly show the contempt for minorities, as generally hard-working immigrants are criticized for their conservation in spending money. The presence of sexism is more subtle, but nonetheless notable. There seems to be an assumed connection between masculinity and selling ability. Shelly Levine attributes manager John Williamson's inability to run an office and poor business ability to his lack of masculinity, saying, 'you don't have the balls' (p. 76). Richard Roma also attacks Williamson, calling him a 'cunt,' and asking, 'Whoever told you you could work with men?' (p. 96).

Levine also insults Williamson for his incompetence, saying that he 'isn't man enough' to know what to do, after informing a client that his check had been cashed when Roma was trying to convince him of the opposite. These statements show that these salesmen are not only sexist and racist, but they also subscribe to white-male domination, a notion that was fought against in the Civil War, and also Gialloreto 3 denounced in the Constitution of the United States of America with the well-known line, 'all men are created equal. ' Frustration from not getting premium leads, along with greed, lead Levine to a plan to break into the office and steal the leads, contracts, phones, and other important items. He would then sell them to Jerry Graff, an independent Real Estate agent. Theft and dishonesty are thereby presented as a substitute and a short-cut for honest work. As a detective Bay lin investigates the crime, interviewing those who work in the office, he is called a 'jag off,' and 'stupid,' showing contempt for those whose job it is to protect the public (p. 60).

Glengarry Glen Ross is in many ways an indictment of the values of the contemporary 'American Dream. ' The ideas of hard work, equality, and honesty are repeatedly betrayed for satisfaction of greed in the 'dog-eat-dog' American business world. Racism and sexism, governing business ability and competence are also clearly defined moods in the play. The 'American Dream' would more closely resemble a society of fair, equal benefits to those who are sufficiently trained and willing to work. The fierce competition displayed in Glengarry Glen Ross, while appearing to be the most successful capitalist strategy, desecrates these values and portrays an image contrary to that of the American Dream. Text: Mamet, David.

Glengarry Glen Ross. New York: Grove Press, 1982.