The Roots of Disillusioned American Dream in Typical American

【Abstract】Typical American is one of Gish Jens notable novels catching attention of the American literary circle. The motif of disillusioned American dream can be seen clearly through the experiences of three main characters. From perspectives of the consumer culture and cultural conflicts， this paper analyzes the roots of the disillusioned American dream in the novel.

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

Typical American is mainly about three Chinese immigrants and how they are inspired， seduced， and betrayed by the promise of the American Dream. In the process of realizing American dream and pursuing money to show their values， they become spiritual vacancy and the victims of consumer society. From perspectives of the consumer culture and cultural conflicts， this paper analyzes the roots of the disillusioned American dream in the novel.

1. The Influence of Consumer Culture on Chinese American

A “consumer culture” is one whose economy is defined by the buying and spending of consumer. In a consumer society， people pursue money and material. They think money is everything. They realize their value by their fortunes. However， the crazy pursuit leads to the vacancy of peoples soul. We see all the Chinese immigrants in Typical American willingly or unwillingly accept the values of consumer society while pursuing their American dream.

When arriving in America， Ralph resisted the temptations of the material world. “He studied as he walked， as he ate.” He prepared to return home to serve the country and honor his parents after graduation. The mockery of consumer society made him miserable. When his last hope of continuing to complete the doctoral degree was rejected， his world fell apart. He had nothing. So he slept， over day and night and even wanted to take his own life. Its just the suffering in the United States that made Ralph have a strong desire to change the situation.

Theresa is very tradition in her inner heart， but after many years in the United States， she gradually agreed with the values of the consumer society. When educating children， Ralph told them that the most important thing in the United States was money. “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 on his two nieces. Although she did not agree with what his brother did， she still kept silent. This was reality. If we say that Ralph and Theresa were forced to accept the consumer culture， his wife Helen， friend Henry Zhao and Henrys wife Janice Zhao were pursuing what the Americans were pursuing. Their daily topic was about how to pursue the material wealth such as cars， houses， clothing and so on.

2. The Conflicts between Chinese Culture and American Culture

Though the Chinese immigrants in Typical American accept consumer culture， it is not easy for them to integrate into American society. The Chinese tradition and value still have an influence on them. They are caught between two cultures. From Ralph， the culture conflicts can be seen easily. He is a potential American， but he is influenced by Chinese Confucianism. The Chinese Confucianism emphasizes responsibility and the spirit of group and society， while individualism attaches much importance to the personality， freedom， self-sufficiency and self-power. Ralph chooses to follow American individualism. He even sacrifices his wife， family and everything to open the fried-chicken store. With the adding influence of American culture， Ralph is faced with culture conflicts. He seems to get a double identity. In fact， he loses his own culture identity. Thus， his American dream is disillusioned at last.

Helen is a traditional Chinese woman， following many Chinese traditions. She is a housewife in her family. She cooks for her family， does household duties， and takes care of them. She submits to her husband and never wants to resist her husbands rudeness to her. These are Chinese cultures characteristics. But in American society， she is gradually influenced by American culture. She is eager to escape from her husbands rule and follows what she wants. Hence， she accepts Grovers touch and love. She keeps the immoral affair with Grover. These show the conflicts of two cultures. The contradiction leads to the disillusioned American dream.

“Its an American story，” Gish Jen says at the beginning of Typical American. The story of typical American can expand to all cultural groups. In order to pursue “American dream” and live better， the overseas people should break through the constraints of consumer culture and absorb the essence of original and local culture. Typical American contributes practical significance 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。