“California is forever being described in superlatives” states Rawls in an excerpt discussing the California Dream. And De Montalvo proves this to be true in a fictional story about the island of California, describing it as “the strongest in all the world”, with a queen who was “the most beautiful of them all” (De Montalvo). This state, and the idea of moving there, is often accompanied by favorable images of sunshine, opulence and great success- different variations of the California Dream. But achieving these dreams may not be the fantasy that many imagine it to be. An excerpt from Nathanial West’s The Day of the Locust helps illuminate our understanding of the California Dream by focusing the story around a main character named Tod who is an observer and achiever of the California Dream, and who reveals that this dream is not the shining beacon of light that many make it out to be.
The main character’s position as a detached observer of others illustrates the inability for many to achieve their California Dream. As Tod observes those living in the city around him, he discovers a masquerade of lavishly dressed Californians, who are juxtaposed against plainly dressed people who are described as having hatred in their eyes. This contrast stems from these people’s ability (or lack thereof) to reach their dreams. As Rawls notes, those that do not achieve the goals they set out for fall into despair and isolation that “turn[s] would-be dreamers into bitter antagonists” (Rawls). These people, who could be easily forgotten in a crowd of grand Californians, are seen by Tod and their unhappiness is exposed and brought to life. While many seem to be flushed with wealth and happiness, the California Dream is not a reality for many. On the other hand, it is also realized that there are many in the crowd who seemed to have achieved their dream, flaunting fancy clothes that seem a little bit out of place. And not only does Tod observe people reaching for their California Dream, but he even imagines the houses to be doing the same thing. He personifies the houses, imagining them innocently trying to startle passersby with their extravagant looks. This description seems to parallel the appearance of the lavish Californians, who all seem to be dressed to attempt to catch someone’s attention. For example, Tod observes a “fat lady in [a] yachting cap... going shopping, not boating” (West), who is yearning for attention and to seem fancy even in her average daily life. The need for beauty and romance that Tod observes not only applies to the houses, but perhaps also the people as well. While these people seemed to have achieved their dream, they still seem to be playing a part or searching for something more. The unique view of Hollywood that this character provides helps illuminate the idea that not everyone is able to fulfill their California Dream and even those that do continue to want for something more.
Not only is Tod an observer of the California Dream, but he is also presented as an achiever of this dream as well. Despite his dimwitted appearances, he is able to land a job among the beauty and talent of Hollywood doing what he loves. This character has gained opportunity and success, which according to Rawls are “at the heart of the California Dream”. However, Tod has come to realize that his dream is no longer the same as it once was. He no longer wants to paint “fat red barn[s], old stone wall[s] or sturdy Nantucket fisherman” (West), but instead is interested in the plainly dressed people he observes that he believes have come to California to die. These people, possibly the retired Midwesterners that Spooner describes, inspire Tod and re-direct his dream of painting. His focus is no longer on picturesque images, but instead a subject more real and full of strong emotions and experiences that he yearns to know more about. This transition helps illuminate the idea discussed by Rawls that states “the dream is alive, an ever-changing and turbulent dynamic”. While Tod may have successfully gained opportunities in Hollywood that will further his career, he is now wanting for something more and his dream has changed. Similar to the richly-dressed people of Hollywood, Tod’s success is not enough and he is now searching to achieve yet another dream in California.
While California is often described as a land of great opportunity and success, these are just the surface of a much more complicated California Dream. The past’s Gold Rush and the present’s Hollywood both provide the slim chance for one to be insanely successful but also the much larger chance for one to head home with their head down and pockets empty. While this gloomy view of the California Dream may not be what people imagine while saving their pennies for a move to California, the excerpt from Nathanial West’s The Day of the Locust helps shed some light on this idea. Through the main character Tod, it is seen that the dream is not only hard to reach for many, but also incessant and not like the idealized picture that so many have imagined in their heads.
