Critique of American Dream: A Study on Spark's The Notebook

Abstract

This research paper focuses on the issue of critique of American dream in the novel The Notebook by Nicholas Sparks. The objectives of the study are to show how capitalistic society tries to get all kind of happiness through wealth. The protagonists of the novel are victimized by social hierarchy and the novel raises the issue of two different classes of 20 th century where Allie represents the upper class and Noah the lower class. This class disparity creates a conflict and class consciousness stopping them from getting married. The study deploys capitalistic ideology and the American Dream to analyze the novel, how individual are subjected to the material ideology, get oppressed by it and struggle against the structure of taboos. Materialistic society does not value spiritual ideology as it prioritizes material possession. This research addresses the causes as well as consequences of imposition of parents' desire and values on their children. In this regard, this thesis highlights the unfavorable effect of the dominant ideology which inhibits individual’s rights to live life as their wish and desire. Here, the human relationship is determined more by Socio-economic hierarchy than their feelings. American dream decides human relation from socio- economic perspective .It introduces materialistic and consumerism society where all characters realise the failure of American Dream.