THE REFLECTION OF THE AMERICAN DREAM IN EARLY 20TH-CENTURY AMERICAN LITERATURE

Abstract

The concept of the American Dream has long been a central theme in American cultural and literary discourse. This study examines how the American Dream is reflected and critically interpreted in early 20th-century American literature. By analyzing selected literary works, the research explores how authors portrayed ambition, social mobility, disillusionment, and moral conflict during a period marked by rapid industrialization and social change. The findings reveal that while the American Dream was initially associated with opportunity and success, it was increasingly depicted as unattainable or corrupted. This paper contributes to the understanding of the intersection between literature and socio-cultural ideals within the field of foreign languages and literature.