Bradford Nicholl
July 9, 2013
Defining
the California Dream
Thousands
of people travel to California every day, and thousands more dream of
moving to California. In both cases, many of these people envision
the California dream. This is the source of motivation to migrate to
California. But what exactly is the California dream? Through the
literature of “The Day of the Locus” by Nathaniel West, with
additional support from “A New Perspective on the Dream” by
Denise S. Spooner, the California dream is defined as the desire to
seek opportunity, adventure, and freedom from judgment by the
community – free from limitations on individuality by the
community.
First, the
California dream as the land of opportunity is examined. California
is filled with a vast number of jobs, thousands of new jobs arising
every day. New businesses and corporations are being set up wherever
you look. In addition, average salaries are severely higher compared
to most other states. California provides many opportunities for
those seeking a job, an impressive income, perhaps a chance to start
a family well-off. In “The Day of the Locus,” Tod Hackett, as a
painter, receives the opportunity to paint new portraits and keep his
passion, while obtaining a job he desires in Hollywood. California
has offered opportunities to Tod Hackett, demonstrating that
opportunity plays a part in his California dream, and that of many
others.
Next, many
of those who seek adventure have California in their dreams.
California offers such diversity and is filled with so many new and
exciting things. In “The Day of the Locust,” Tod Hackett even
views an army of cavalry pass by his office. As the excerpt mentions,
“he had been in Hollywood less than three months and still found it
an exciting place.” Tod Hackett himself is adventurous, and whether
in search of something to paint, or on his way home, he “began the
climb into Pinyon Canyon.” California provdies Tod Hackett with
adventure, and is dreamed of as an adventurous place.
In
addition, many people migrate to California in search of freedom from
judgment by the community. They wish to be free of the limitations on
individuality placed on them by their judgment. As Tod Hackett
witnesses, “A great many of the people wore sport clothes which
were not really sport clothes,” where others wore clothing “somber
and badly cut.” He mentions how “different” the latter are. In
addition, the houses that lined the slope of the hill included
Mexican ranch houses, Samoan huts, Mediterranean villas, Egyptian and
Japanese temples, Swiss chalets, Tudor cottages, and even castles.
The diversity is enormous. California offers a land for people who
seek to be different, without the judgment of others in the
community.
California is dreamed about by many, and these
dreams motivate many to migrate to the state. The California dream
envisions opportunity, adventure, and freedom of judgment from the
community. As seen in "The Day of the Locust," Tod Hacket experiences or
witnesses these aspects. The California dream is something for many to
consider, and may influence you to travel to California.
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