Dreamers by Day
The American dream, and just what it meant is one of the great themes of 20th century American literature. The tragedy that the American dream is an illusion meant to distract everyone from the bleak reality of their lives is another common theme. Nelson Algren was one of the writers who explored the latter theme best. Algren was championed by Studs, and is the dedicatee of American Dreams: Lost and Found. He moved away from Chicago to New Jersey in 1975, and passed away in 1981 – the year after Lost and Found came out.
Robert O’Connor continues his series on Studs Terkel with his look at the American dream in American Dreams, Lost and Found.