Gossip Girl American Dream

Words: 652
Pages: 3

Gossip Girl: American Dream or Nightmare? According to Heather Havrilesky, “the American Dreams itself – a house, a job, a car, a family, a little yard for the kids to frolic on – has expanded into something far broader and less attainable than ever” (170). This is demonstrated in the hit TV series Gossip Girl. It shows multiple characters’ lives amongst the elite in the Upper East Side of Manhattan. Most of the characters seem to have even more than the American Dream from the outside. Examined more closely, it is apparent that the America Dream has evolved into an American Nightmare. The American Dream is becoming too focused on popularity. For example, Dan Humphrey is portrayed as being an outsider in the Upper East Side because he is from Brooklyn, New York. He goes to an elite private school, but unlike everyone else, he is not wealthy. People shunned him for this attribute. In reality, all he wanted was to have a relationship with Serena Van Der Woodsen, an elite, well-liked, and beautiful girl. He achieved this by writing himself into the Upper East Side drama with a blog titled “Gossip Girl”. It kept him involved, but made him immoral. The American Dream has enlarged to include the desire to be involved with the elite to achieve success. By the end of …show more content…
This is the definition of what many boys want to be like in today’s society. But, wealth does not equal happiness. Chuck Bass is an alcoholic, womanizer, and does not have strong family support. He just wants to find love and happiness. This is a deeper look at what the American Dream is too focused on: wealth. Money was one of the only things Chuck Bass had and it was not enough. This generation has a different American Dream than previous generations. It is because the United States is glorifying money, alcohol, and sex more than ever. Life is not perfect with these glorifications and Gossip Girl shows a perfect example of