A Transition Piece: "My Experience with the American Experience"
My great concern is not whether you have failed, but whether you are content with your failure." --Abraham Lincoln
In connecting the basis of the quintessential American Hero to the common traits and definition of the tragic hero, I have proved something about the American Experience itself that I had not even considered previously. If the classic protagonist of the American Experience, the chaser of the dream, is so irrevocably linked to tragedy and the tragic hero archetype, what does this say about the likely success of the hero in achieving their goal, in completing the American Experience? Remembering that Aristotle and Arthur Miller's combined definitions of tragedy would read something like: "a situation in which the possibility of success exists, but the hero's failure and eventual downfall is inevitable," it can only be concluded that this is true of the task the American Hero undertakes. In other words, the American Experience is so tantalizing and alluring because of its possibility of success for all, and yet the truth is that most will fall when reaching for that next step beyond where they currently are—trip while racing endlessly towards that distant dream.
Does this mean that attempting to achieve the American Dream is useless and futile? I would say not. As Arthur Miller said, tragedy is supposed to "imply optimism" in the grandeur of the human spirit, and that is what this tragic connection does. The fact that many continue to try for the completion of the American Experience and the capturing of that ideal even in the face of practically inevitable failure reveals to me one thing: the point of the American Experience is not to reach the ideal, as so many are defeated on their journey. The true point is to actually experience—to test the limits of societal constraints, question the accepted, learn from the journey and to always have an ideal or better future to look forward to. That is the truth of the American Experience: it's not that everyone will succeed in achieving their dreams, but that everyone will always have the ability to dream of and chase their own ideal of a brighter tomorrow. If that isn't optimism, then I don't know what is.
Does this mean that attempting to achieve the American Dream is useless and futile? I would say not. As Arthur Miller said, tragedy is supposed to "imply optimism" in the grandeur of the human spirit, and that is what this tragic connection does. The fact that many continue to try for the completion of the American Experience and the capturing of that ideal even in the face of practically inevitable failure reveals to me one thing: the point of the American Experience is not to reach the ideal, as so many are defeated on their journey. The true point is to actually experience—to test the limits of societal constraints, question the accepted, learn from the journey and to always have an ideal or better future to look forward to. That is the truth of the American Experience: it's not that everyone will succeed in achieving their dreams, but that everyone will always have the ability to dream of and chase their own ideal of a brighter tomorrow. If that isn't optimism, then I don't know what is.
Consider Willy Loman in this light: although he was a failure as a salesman and in regards to his dream, he did succeed in giving his family a better future, and he never stopped trying to make that future for them; not once. McMurphy, as demonstrated, was the same; while he was defeated by the Big Nurse, his spirit never was, giving the patients the opportunity for freedom. This can be applied to many other classic American characters, as well.
Regardless, here is where the themes begin to fully connect with each other, and this is also where it is important to note the theme of optimism that is prevalent once all are combined. This optimistic outlook is what leads into the final theme, and the conclusion of this comment on the American Experience. It is one of the most important parts to keep in mind.
Regardless, here is where the themes begin to fully connect with each other, and this is also where it is important to note the theme of optimism that is prevalent once all are combined. This optimistic outlook is what leads into the final theme, and the conclusion of this comment on the American Experience. It is one of the most important parts to keep in mind.