http://www.studentpulse.com/articles/188/conceptions-of-the-american-dream

Janette de Dios 

Period 6 

9/6/11

A.P Literature 

Critical reading 

In the critical essay “Conceptions of the American Dream” the author Olivia A. Murphey discusses how the American dream is portrayed not only by an average immigrant but in novels as well. Based on the novels read, she explains how the concept of the American dream is generally portrayed as various things such as “material influence, career success or just overall happiness and prosperity.” However, in her subject, the novel Bone written by Fae Myenne Ng, this concept fails to become this representation in the eyes of the main character, a Chinese immigrant living in Chinatown, San Francisco. In this novel Ng exposes the failure of an immigrant’s attempt to achieve the American dream due to the difficulties and obstacles faced during the process of assimilation into an American culture. Murphey as the author helps convey this through her techniques of appeals

To prove that the concept does not apply to immigrants as a whole, Murphey sets a basis on a quote from James Truslow Adams that supports the body of her essay. In this quote the definition of the American Dream contains the element of the word “should” in which applies to her point that the American dream is not meant to be attained by everyone. She begins by appealing to the audience logically with the generalization that most people believe this concept to be intended for immigrants as a whole. With this generalization there are two out comes however Murphey adds in a third; the first two starting off with success in the concept of the American dream and the other stating the other obvious possibility by means of failure to reach the concept.  The first two possible outcomes of success are approached by the employment of an ethical appeal. She utilizes credible sources such as actors and architects and songwriters to explain what figures in today’s society represent these two out comes. However, by referring to Truslow Adams’ quote, Murphey creates and includes a third point of view of the possibilities that an immigrant has which is failure of achieving the concept.  

These possible out comes are then applied back to the novel Bone and related to the main character Leon Leong. Murphey points out that in the novel Leong eventually becomes a product of the American dream and in a sort of way partially represents all three of the outcomes. The first she states is achievement based on his culture. She explains how in the novel the character and his family moved to Chinatown to be successful however also keep their Chinese culture. The second she states is an achievement based on willingness two denounce a culture. She then also explains how while in America, Leon made an attempt to “be as ‘American’ as possible” by denouncing his Chinese name. The door to the third outcome is opened when she explains that the character receives a rejection letter from the army. Here begins the deterioration of the dream and the ascendance of a new out come. 

By the use of appeals and strong credible background the author of the essay is able to accomplish and depict her purpose. She uses paragraphs with flow and gains authority over what she is attempting to convey. Her purpose is that the concept of the American dream if often misinterpreted and does not apply to everyone or is attainable by everyone.