Lambuth, Jacob R.

10APR11
HISTORY 153

The American Dream has been a goal sought after by countless generations

since the foundation of the United States. Yet, what the American Dream represents

for each generation greatly differs. As time passes and our society changes, so does

our desires and dreams. This great disparity in defining what is the American Dream

is thoroughly depicted in Philip Roth’s novel American Pastoral. In his novel, Roth

demonstrates how vast the desires, dreams, and tribulations that represented the

World War 2 Generation and the turbulent and rebellious generation of the 1960’s

and 1970’s. Each generation faced different political issues, war, and social norms

during their youth. This shaping the way they behave as adults. American Pastoral

intended to demonstrate that due to these different worlds that each generation

lived in, it created 2 vastly different points of view in politics and social behavior.

This new generation that existed in the 1960’s faced an unpopular war, ever-

changing politics, and fluxuating economy that left the youth of America in a

rebellious state. Completely opposite to what the people of the World War 2

generation faced. This creates a solid difference that each generation represents and

is demonstrated in this novel.

To understand each generation as adults, one must understand their up

bringing during their youth. Our behavior, beliefs, and thoughts, and character is

heavily influenced by what we learn as we grow up. What our parents teach us, what

we learn in school, and what society expects us to do then will mold us into what we

will be in the future. This situation is well represented by the World War 2
generation. Being a child or teenager during this time meant living in a time of war.

America was deep in conflict with Nazi Germany and the Empire of Japan. The

economy of the United States just suffered its worse economic depression in

History. America also still suffered from racial injustice among Jews, African

Americans, and other immigrants. Yet, we view this generation as a great generation

of prosperity and progress. Commonly known as “The Greatest Generation,” aptly

titled by Walter Cronkite. Hard work, strong patriotism, strong family orientation,

are commonly associated with the World War 2 generation.

Swede Levov so very well represents what we view as the greatest generation in

American Pastoral. Swede Levov was the athletic champion of his school, joined the

US Marines to fight in World War 2, took over the family business of making gloves,

and married the ideal woman. The author at first depicts Swede Levov as having the

perfect life and being a true representative of what the World War 2 generation

stands for. It seems that he has no flaws and suffered from no failures and was living

the true American dream. As the narrator learns more about Swede Levov through

his brother and friends, he discovers that his life was not perfect but rather

troubled. Swede Levov’s desire to remain true to what his generation stood for

results in many issues in his life.

The economy of the United States became to shift greatly after World War 2.

Unions rallied heavily for improved working conditions and income for workers in

factories. This forced business owners to leave the US and set up operations in

foreign countries and out of inner city industrial towns. This leaves many workers

jobless, as they can’t afford to move to other factories. Swede Levov strong

dedication to the workers he employs has him keep the factory in New Jersey and
the new factory he opened in Puerto Rico. This creates a great deal of stress upon

his family as he lives in Puerto Rico for a while, then moves back to New Jersey

despite the degrading condition of the inner city. Swede Levov’s wife, former Miss

New Jersey Dawn Dwyer, is never happy with her settings. Despite Swede Levov’s

constant attempt to satisfy her, she is never happy. Their idyllic marriage is actually

quite the opposite as the narrator discovers. With the onset of the Vietnam War,

America becomes heavily divided as the younger generation openly protests

America’s involvement. Swede Levov openly disagrees with the war and joins an

anti-war business owner group, but is never actively protests the war. To his wife,

he is viewed as a relic of a dying era as he appears to be in between sides. Despite

the turmoil going on in America, Swede appears neutral and just focuses on the

factory and his family. To his wife, and especially his daughter, he is viewed as a

moderate that fails to react to the violent changes undergoing in America.

As Swede Levov represented the World War 2 generation, his daughter

Merry embodies the counter culture that manifested during the Vietnam War. A

generation of youth that is spoiled, violent, and unstable unlike the World War 2

generation, which originates from poverty and a war that threatened the American

Nation. Merry’s innocent and sweet demeanor dies and is replaced by an angry,

violent, and close minded teenager. Swede Levov’s once perfect daughter now

belonged to the counter culture that despised everything that he stood for. His lack

of action towards the war only infuriated her as her political views grew. The

moment she detonates the bomb at the post office, Swede Levov’s perfect life

officially ends. His daughter is no longer an innocent child but the embodiment of

the newly formed counter culture. The American Dream that Swede Levov fought
for is now viewed as the very evil that is plaguing America to the ever growing

Vietnam generation. The Vietnam Generation developed an entirely different dream

of free love, spirituality, and a new “hippie” way of life. A complete opposite to what

the World War 2 generation represents. The counter culture depicted in the novel is

nothing more than spoiled and uneducated children that rebel against their parent’s

generation. Swede Levov is essentially a victim of the backlash of the Vietnam

rebellion. His dedication to his factory, his lack of action to protest the war, and

moderate behavior is looked down upon and criticized by his daughter and later by

her extremist friend Rita. To this new generation, he belongs to an dead and

worthless generation.

Every generation has its dream for which they spend their lives working for.

A dream that varies heavily from generation to generation since each must face

different problems and trials. The World War 2 generation arose from the ashes of a

world at war and an economy in shambles. Meanwhile, the Vietnam Generation

arose from privilege, faced a very unpopular war, and new unpopular government

policies. This clash between generations depicted in American Pastoral as his

daughter bombing of the post office essentially destroying Swede Levov’s perfect life

demonstrates how each generation’s dream collide. The novel clearly depicts the

vast differences each generation represents, and how they clash violently as each

share a different dream. The World War 2 generation gave birth to a violent counter

culture that despised all that it represented, much like Merry hating her very father

as they both represented two separate generations.