synopsis of American Dream

American Dream

Author: Edward Elbee

Setting: in some apartment in some none descript suburban place. Probably in the 195os or 60s.

Plot: At the opening of the play Mommy and Daddy are complaining about how they are late. Mommy begins to recount how she almost bought a beige hat but was stopped by the leader of her women’s club and was informed that it was in fact a wheat color hat. Mommy and the women get into a frugal argument about the real color of the hat. Mommy says she cannot get satisfaction. At this point Grandma comes in with wrapped boxes. Grandma complains about being old. At this point we find out that Grandma and Mommy were very poor. Because Mommy married Daddy she is now rich. At this point Grandma tells about how Mommy and Daddy murdered their adoptive son’ who happened to be a twin. At this point the other twin comes in.  Mommy suggests incest and Grandma quickly ends the play.

I need to make a note about the relationship of Mommy and Daddy, Although Daddy makes the money Mommy seems to control the household and the pocketbook. This is swapping of the traditional roles of the women and the man.

Mommy- Controls the pocketbook controls the household. Grew up poor her mother implies that she Married Daddy for his money and not because she loved him.  Perhaps is a gold digger

Daddy- has become DE masculinized booth literally and fugitively. Obviously has a lot of money but does not have much ambition.  Mommy controls his ambitions.  I think he loves Mommy in a strange and unique way.

Grandma- is the only with any hope of sanity. She is a really actress because she pretends to be insane. She is also afraid that she will be kicked out and forced to live in an old folks home. She also complains a lot about being old.

Mrs.Barker-is the  leader of Mommy’s women’s club. She is also the head of the adoption agency. She is not very observant because she has allowed Mommy and Daddy to adopt another child even after they have killed their son. She is very busy.

The young man- Mommy and Daddy killed his twin. Since then he has been stripped of his emotions and cannot feel anything.

Point of view- The narrator is Grandma.  While she is the most reliable character she has a very strong bias against her own daughter. She is somewhat unreliable

Tone- Grandma is angry and frustrated at Mommy and the way her life has turned out.

Imagery- One very strong image is the image of Mommy buying her hat. Another image is of Grandma packing her stuff

Symbolism- Ok. Sparknotes says there is no symbols however I disagree. I think that Grandma is a symbol of old ways. I think that Mommy is a symbol of the new feminine. I think the boxes are a symbol of the American Dream.

Memorable quotes

“I no longer have the capacity to feel anything. I have no emotions. I have been drained, torn asunder disemboweled. I have, now, only my person, my body, my face. I use what I have I let people love me I accept the syntax around me, for while I know I cannot relate; I know I must be related to.” This is a quote from the young man. This is literally about the American dream but it is a bring down of the new dream.

“WHAT a masculine Daddy! Isn't he a masculine Daddy?” This is ironic because this statement comes when Daddy is following one of the countless orders from Mommy and actually demonstrates how little of a “man” he really is.

Theme

The theme is that the American dream is absurd.

How we know: Title is American dream. Mommy and Daddy strive to accomplish this ridiculous dream and end up miserable.