Scribd
Upload
7 views

Challenges and Sacrifices. It's Not Just About

pdf

Uploaded by

fls73081
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
7 views

Challenges and Sacrifices. It's Not Just About

pdf

Uploaded by

fls73081
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 3

What does it mean to achieve the American Dream today?

The American Dream has long been defined as achieving success through
hard work and determination, but in reality, the journey is fraught with
challenges and sacrifices. It’s not just about attaining wealth or prestige but
navigating the complexities of life to build a stable and fulfilling future.
The Pursuit of Happiness, directed by Gabriele Muccino, follows the true
story of Chris Gardner, a struggling salesperson in San Francisco in the early
1980s. Gardner's unwavering resolve to provide for his young kid, while
facing homelessness, employment instability, and personal loss, highlights
the trials and pleasures of pursuing the American dream. The film's realistic
depiction of both difficulty and hope effectively demonstrates the
complexities of the American Dream.

Chris' financial struggles while pursuing a better career highlight the arduous
path to social mobility. Chris struggles to sell the portable bone-density
scanners he invested in, a decision that drains his resources. Despite his
confidence in the goods, the market rejects it, leaving him with excess
inventory and rising debts. "It’s not as easy as it looks. These things aren’t
exactly flying off the shelves." These moments show how systemic financial
setbacks compound, making upward mobility increasingly difficult. Chris
seizes the chance to apply for a prestigious unpaid internship at Dean Witter
Reynolds, knowing the position could transform his life. The opportunity
represents the hope central to the American Dream but comes at a
significant cost, as it provides no immediate income. "You got a dream? You
gotta protect it."

These contrasted events highlight how attaining the American Dream


necessitates negotiating an unforgiving world rife with financial challenges
and transitory possibilities. Chris's perseverance in the face of failures
exemplifies the tenacity required to transform hope into success.

Father and Son Relationship


Chris's relationship with his son reveals both the burden and the motivation
that family provides in difficult times. Chris and his son sleep in a locked
subway bathroom when they have nowhere else to go. Christopher: "Why do
we have to sleep here?" Chris: "Because we have to keep moving forward."
Chris struggles to provide basic necessities, such as food and shelter, while
juggling the demands of his unpaid internship. Despite their struggles, Chris
and Christopher share tender moments, such as when Chris helps his son
with homework or encourages him to dream big while playing basketball.
Chris: "Don’t ever let someone tell you you can’t do something. Not even
me." The father-son relationship serves as the story's emotional
underpinning, demonstrating how family can be both a source of stress and
inspiration. While Chris's duties weigh hard on him, his kid inspires him to
keep chasing his aspirations, even when the odds are stacked against him.

Public Image vs. Private Reality

Chris's effort to maintain a professional image at work despite his


homelessness illustrates the stark contrast between public success and
private struggle. Chris rushes to store his belongings in a train station locker
each morning before heading to his internship, carefully concealing his
homelessness from colleagues. Chris: "This part of my life is called
‘running.’" Chris faces humiliation when he shows up to the office in paint-
stained clothes after being arrested for unpaid parking tickets. Chris's ability
to solve a Rubik's Cube in front of a potential employer impresses the
interviewer by demonstrating his intelligence and problem-solving abilities.
"People can't do something themselves, they wanna tell you you can’t do it.
You want something? Go get it." Chris’s ability to mask his personal
struggles while excelling professionally underscores the resilience required
to succeed. His story reflects the sacrifices many must make to project an
image of competence and success, even when battling invisible hardships.

The Pursuit of Happyness vividly illustrates the difficulties and possibilities


inherent in achieving the American Dream. Chris Gardner's tale is a
microcosm of the larger issues confronting individuals seeking upward
mobility. It serves as a reminder that the American Dream is not a given, but
rather a difficult journey that demands sacrifice, perseverance, and
commitment. ultimetely, the film conveys an enduring message of hope:
that even in the face of enormous adversity, tenacity and belief in oneself
may result in exceptional accomplishments. Chris is right: "Happyness is
something that we can only pursue, and maybe we can actually catch it."

You might also like