The American Dream in Twentieth-Century American Fiction: Myth and Reality

Abstract

The concept of the American Dream has remained one of the most influential themes in twentieth-century American fiction, representing ideals of success, freedom, prosperity, and social mobility. This study examines the portrayal of the American Dream in major twentieth-century American novels and analyzes the tension between its mythic promise and lived reality. Through a literary and thematic analysis of selected works by writers such as F. Scott Fitzgerald, Arthur Miller, John Steinbeck, and Toni Morrison, the research explores how fiction reflects the changing socio-economic and cultural conditions of American society. The study highlights how early representations of the American Dream emphasized ambition, individualism, and material success, while later literary works exposed issues such as inequality, racial discrimination, moral decline, alienation, and the collapse of personal aspirations. The paper further argues that twentieth-century American fiction transforms the American Dream from a symbol of hope into a critique of capitalism, consumerism, and social injustice. By comparing idealized visions with harsh realities depicted in literary narratives, the study demonstrates that the American Dream often functions as both an inspiring national myth and a source of disillusionment. Ultimately, the research reveals the evolving complexity of American identity and values through literary expression.