Failure of American Dream in The Winter of Our Discontent

Abstract

The Winter of Our Discontent is the novel which unfolds the story of Ethan, an American representative who reveals the plight of America. America is not only getting material success in an electronic motion but also losing its moral value at the same rate. Life, Liberty and Pursuit of happiness are the main motto of American dream as suggested by Thomas Jefferson. They believe in individuality, toil, industrial progress and high tech life. As soon as their material progresses are happening, at the same time their social life is defiled by the same material components. Suicide, murder, robbery, treachery are at the same time, the mottos of American dream. These are the by product of the American progress. In the American materialism money becomes the life blood of their success. Monetary economy no more becomes its integral part but also defile their societal life. The last attempt of suicide by Ethan is the symbol of dying American Dream.