Representation Of The American Dream In Capitalistic System In The Movie The Pursuit Of Happiness
The first effect of capitalism is that of spreading culture of work. Capitalism intends to inspire all people to take part in activities that seem beneficial to them. This is what is recognized by many people as capitalism’s pivotal attribute. Actually, this is a very important aspect in the manner in which the system of capitalism has succeeded. And the Pursuit of Happiness precisely presents the American Dream, which is conducted in capitalistic system as an achievable reality.
It begins when Chris decides to ask a Dean Witter broker (who he sees getting out of a bright-red Ferrari) what's needed to do the job. The reply he gets back is this: "You've got to be good with numbers and good with people. " Chris believes he owns those skills and aggressively pursues executives at Dean Witter once he discovers internships are available. He chases his first contact, Jay Twistle, until the man pays attention to him. Some other people at Dean Witter give Chris opportunities to prove himself, though they aren't really duty-bound to do so. And even though he's virtually broke, Chris gives $5 to one of his rich superiors so he can pay for cab fare. Later, Chris misses an appointment with an executive (for reasons beyond his control), and goes to the man's house to apologize. The executor, Walter Ribbon, in turn, kindly invites Chris and Christopher to share his skybox at a 49ers game. In the end, it shows our hero, favored by a combination of skill, luck and dogged determination to succeed despite all obstacles and “making it to the top”: 3a typical “rags-to-riches” story. But there are still myriad of less-favored people, who don’t “make it to the top” and are torn apart by the cruelties of the capitalist system. Why should only the favored few “make it to the top” and the vast majority sink to the bottom, cast off by the ethic of the capitalist system?
The second impact of capitalism shown in the movie is all about Chris’ investment that has been done right after he moved to San Francisco where he worked as a medical research associate and for a scientific supply distributor. He started distributing a medical equipment, he was so sure that it would be a hit, that he has invested a lot of money in this business. But did he succeed? He failed miserably. He ran out of money ultimately leading to his girlfriend leaving him. He was left homeless with his toddler son. He fought every day to get a place to sleep. Meanwhile, in reality, CNN has freshly reported that 66% of population between the ages of 21 and 32 have no savings for the retirement. However, according to Salon, the reason many millennials haven’t been investing in mutual funds or building up their own financial nest eggs isn’t because they’re too broke, or that they lack personal responsibility — it’s because they think, that our current economic system, capitalism, will cease to exist by the time they are in their 60s.
And finally, there is a demonstration of unfairness in the movie that forms social division. Societies which are highly unequal create resentment and social division. As a higher class family makes enough money to be able to hire nannies, house cleaners, etc. , they have more free time to pursue competitive and time sensitive goals and jobs. Because Chris’s class lacks the financial stability, barely making enough to get by, they are forced to spend their time outside of work simply getting by, and often working another dead-end job. This does not give their class a fair chance to compete, so they continue the pattern of their lives at the bottom. This is an example of how the creation of social divisions shows the control of the dominant class over the lower.
