Destruction of the American Dream

The stories of the law school students and Zola’s parents are similar in that they illustrate the degeneration of the American Dream. The general idea behind the American Dream is that America is a place where everyone can succeed. American has also had the reputation of being a melting pot where immigrants were welcomed. Neither Mark, Todd and Zola’s dreams of having better lives because they were going to law school nor Zola’s family’s dreams of belonging in America ever came true.

Trying to ensure a better life for themselves financially Mark, Todd and Zola all decided that going to law school was the answer to their problems. They were enticed with the idea they would all have plenty of job opportunities when the finished school with careers that would pay six-figure salaries. Instead, they came to the...