Ethos of the American Dream, Equality, and Individuality

This paper analyzes the film 'The Pursuit of Happiness' and its depiction of the American culture, focusing on the American dream, equality, and individualism. It explores how the protagonist, Chris Gardner, represents the Black American perspective on the American dream and highlights the values and attitudes of the American population.

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Ethos of the American Dream, Equality, and Individuality
INTRODUCTION
The Pursuit of Happiness is a biographic film directed by Gabriel Muccino based on Chris
Gardner, a Black American who beat the odds to become an investment specialist. The film
depicts how a broken salesman on the brink of bankruptcy struggled to raise his son after his
marriage fell apart, while looking for employment as a stock trader (Muccino). This role, as
played by Will Smith, exemplifies the concept of the American dream, from a Black American’s
perspective, while providing acumens into the American population regarding their values and
attitudes towards life (Zhang and Liu 12). This paper, thus, analyzes the film’s depiction of the
American culture, among which is illustrated as a microcosm of the American dream, equality,
and individualism.
The American Dream. The concept behind the American Dream first took shape in the United
States. After the Declaration of Independence in 1776, this notion has encouraged millions of
Americans and immigrants to the possibility of a successful life through courage, hard work,
consistency, and unwavering determination, as opposed to simply relying on help from specific
social classes. In America, since all men are deemed equal, each as the right and freedom to
follow their hopes and dreams. According to Thomas Wolfe, everyone, irrespective of their
origin, social circumstances, and disadvantages as stipulated by nature, retains the liberty to live
and work so as to become the person that they always wanted to be (Yuan 8).

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Consequently, the film demonstrates Chris Gardiner’s determination and will to succeed
as an integral course in fulfilling his American dream. Having been a salesman with a low social
status, he maintained his independence, persevered through his incessant life hurdles, and
remained unwavering on his journey to success. Similarly, being a Black American protagonist,
he is believed to be representative of the Black America population. His struggles, thereby, bore
new meaning to the Black American population because it gave a new perspective on the
American Dream, from a black man’s point of view (Yuan 9)
Individualism. Individualism is a significant aspect of the American culture. It first stemmed
during the Italian Renaissance movement during the 14th Century, and settled in the United
Stated after spreading throughout the 18th Century at the French Enlightenment. As such, the
American way of life is largely self-oriented, and allows people to make individualistic claims
founded on the country’s value and freedom for self-fulfillment. Consequently, the principles of
personal success and self-drive are legitimized in the American culture, thereby suggesting that
single interest and autonomy may be the cause of the possibility of success in the nation (Ai and
Yang 8).
The film portrays Chris Gardner as a man powered by individualism. He is not only
industrious and self-reliant, but also fiercely independent. Chris failed to yield to the hardships
he faced despite being emotionally distraught by his circumstances, and proved that hard work
can pay. This shows how greatly Americans value hard work, as it is seen not just as a duty, but
a way out of abject poverty. Hence, by working hard, one can conquer the day, and eventually
attain their rightful destiny. This was also particularly emphasized when his recruiters at the
stock trading company seemed more concerned about his attitude and commitment towards
work, rather than his personal achievements (Yuan 9).

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In addition, Chris Gardiner was incredibly enthusiastic and confident. During the six
months of unpaid internship, he commuted between his work place and hospitals by running so
as to sell his remaining scanners and provide food for himself, and his son. He also remained
optimistic, and sought for better alternatives whenever they lacked a place to sleep; both father
and son went from living on the streets, to shelters for the homeless, the park, public lavatories,
and even under the office desk (Muccino). Despite all this, he embraced his struggles, and used
them as fuel to propel him to greater heights. By virtue, this shows that the population in
America is not willing to dwell on the past; being dissatisfied with one’s present circumstances is
enough to propel an individual to hope for a better future (Zhang and Liu 13).
Furthermore, the film, in general, showcases Chris Gardiner’s journey for financial
success, and personal happiness. Sources indicate that the American dream embodies both the
attainment of wealth, and personal joy (Ai and Yang 9). In the film, Chris Gardiner was not well-
educated. However, he did not perceive this as a challenge, but a chance for him to face his
reality and remain adamant in the face of competition. Chris once said that he had a dream that
he had to protect, proving that the American culture values both persistence and personal
dedication in leading to personal transformation, and fulfillment (Muccino).
Equality. Equality is greatly valued in America because it formed the backbone of the
Declaration of Independence. It acquired its philosophies from Pock’s natural theory on rights
which states that all men are equal, and have equal liberty to go after their goals and happiness.
Being that one of the most dominant issue in the country is also based on racial equality, it still
remains a stumbling block in the realization of the dreams of the Black Americans society. This
movement which began from Martin Luther King, to the black Secretary of State and American
President, the subject has never waned in importance. Subsequently, the issue of racial equality

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still acts as a significant topic in the development of American films, thus encouraging both the
black and white society to have an equal voice in matters of the American society.
The concept of equality is particularly manifested in the fact that Chris Gardiner was a
struggling Black American. He was seen as a representation of the average, poor Black
American man who was constantly put down by those around him, including his ex-wife and
friends, and was denied several opportunities because of his poor social and economic
background. Despite all these, he remained hopeful that one day his efforts would pay off, as was
evident when he was recruited as a stock trader after having to compete with other individuals
with college degrees. Equality is particularly evident when the recruiters at the stock trading
company availed each one of the applicants, including Chris Gardiner, an equal opportunity to
succeed. Through Chris Gardiner, the audience can attest to how the American dream can be
attained via personal decision to remain indispensable, especially the dreams of the Black
American society. The notion that the Black American’s dream may never be fulfilled is
therefore, in this case, non-existent because the society ensures equal social and civil
development for all (Ai and Yang 9).
CONCLUSION
The film shows how Chris Gardiner, a Black American with a poor economic and social status
rose to success. He is the ultimate depiction of the American culture, which states that through
self-reliance, determination, confidence, optimism, and hard work, one can achieve the American
dream. His story, therefore, reflects the ideals of the American society using connotations of
individualism, equality, and a thirst for the American dream, in so doing implying that even the
Black American can succeed through personal dedication and commitment. Similarly, the

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average Black American shares in the validity of the American dream, and the right to pursue
democracy with the other races in the country.

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Works Cited
Ai, Q and X Yang. "On Cultural Connotation of American Dream from American Movies."
Journal of Suzhou College (2010): 8-9. Document.
The Pursuit of Happiness. Dir. Gabriele Muccino. Perf. Will Smith. 2006. CD.
Yuan, S. "Afro-American’s American Dream Under Racial." Mangzhong Literature (2012): 7-
10. Document.
Zhang, X and Y Liu. "The Embodiment of Western Culture in." American Movies (2010): 11-15.
Document.