Citizen Kane And The American Dream

Charles Kane, a newspaper mogul, died at his home in Xanadu. His last dying words were ‘Rosebud’ which no one had any idea what they meant. A newspaper reporter is given the task to investigate what the word meant. He had to interview many people including Kane’s friends like Jedediah Leland and his concubine Susan Alexander who only shed some light on the mystery of Kane’s life but no information about the Rosebud word. Citizen Kane is the movie that has received lot applause for centuries despite flopping at the box office in 1941. The narrative structure line non-linear form, the mise-en-scene composition, and the cinematography put the film in high regard.

The American Dream is a national ethos of the United States, the set of ideals (Democracy, Rights, Liberty, Opportunity, and Equality) in which freedom includes the opportunity for prosperity and success, and an upward social mobility for the family and children, achieved through hard work in a society with few barriers. In the definition of the American Dream by James Truslow Adams in 1931, "life should be better and richer and

A chance to succeed. The American Dream has lured millions from all over the world to American shores in hope of a bright future. The term “American Dream” was invented in 1931 by a historian named James Truslow Adams. He stated that the idea was a “dream of a land in which life should be better and richer and fuller for every man, with opportunity for each according to his ability or achievement”. The American dream envelops the idea that America is a golden ticket where freedom shines, equal opportunity exists to gain success, and diligence is required to ensure that success.

The American Dream originated in the early days of the American settlement, with mostly poor immigrants searching for opportunities. It was first manifested in the Declaration of Independence, which describes an attitude of hope. The Declaration of Independence states:

The "American Dream" is an idea that has always been different throughouttime. It changes in diverse forms and in the end involves success. The "American Dream" was a phrase used by the American people and peoplewanting to become American. It was always the idea that you can become a success. This is true in a partial way, but the true "American Dream" is that with somework and determination anyone can build themselves up in the economic classsystem.

The term “American Dream” is defined as an idea which believes that all people have the possibility of prosperity and success. The idea first came from James Adams, a noted American writer and historian. He claimed, “Life should be better and richer and fuller for everyone, with opportunity for each according to ability and achievement.” Therefore, the core concepts of the American Dream were closely linked to hard work and opportunity.

The term “American Dream” is one of the triggers that lead to the shores of the USA many thousands of immigrants, it had a deep meaning for them, and it was first introduced to us by an American writer and historian James Truslow Adams in his 1931 book called “The Epic of America”, where he gives the definition of the term how he said “The American Dream”, by saying

Americans drastically shifted from wanting the basics in life as the ‘American Dream’ to wanting more than they ever thought was attainable; this fueled American spirits after the Great Depression and gave them something to aim for. The term ‘The American Dream’ was coined by historian and author James Truslow Adams in his 1931 book The Epic America. He spoke of “. . . a land in which life should be better and richer and fuller for everyone, with opportunity for each according to ability or achievement . . .” (Adams 214). In the beginning, this Dream simply promised the country to climb the social ladder through labor and ingenuity and live amongst the rich;

The idea of the American Dream has been around since America was founded, but until 1933, it was not put into words. In the article American Faces 1933’s Realities, by James Truslow Adams, he defines the American Dream as “ ...a vision of a better, deeper, richer life for every individual, regardless of the position in society which he or she may occupy by the accident of birth” (1). The American Dream does not have to be described as having copious amounts of wealth. To some, it is only a vision of a better life for themselves and their families.

The American Dream was first evinced in the Declaration of Independence, which expresses the idea that all men are created equal with the right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. However, the phrase “The American Dream” was disseminated by James Truslow Adams, in his novel Epic of America. He described the American Dream as “that dream of a land in which life should be better and richer and fuller for everyone, with opportunity for each according to ability or achievement.". However, in the 1920’s the meaning of the American Dream morphed from the opportunity and right to achieve a better life through hard work to the impatient attainment of material possessions. This corruption of the American Dream can be seen in the novel The Great Gatsby. In The Great Gatsby, Fitzgerld demonstrates the corruption of the American Dream through three social groups within West Egg, East Egg, and The Valley of Ashes.

Since the beginning of the Industrial Age, Americans have idealized the journey towards economic success. One thing people do not realize, however, is that that journey is not the same for every individual. For Charles Foster Kane (Orson Welles), the main character of Citizen Kane, directed by Orson Welles, the path towards riches and a fulfilled life is being well liked. He serves to please others. He strives for that attention. This view cost him his happiness in the end. In this man’s rise and fall through prosperity, Welles shows the futility of striving solely for likeability.

The absolutely stunning film, Citizen Kane (1941), is one of the world’s most famous and highly renowned films. The film contains many remarkable scenes and cinematic techniques as well as innovations. Within this well-known film, Orson Welles (director) portrays many stylistic features and fundamentals of cinematography. The scene of Charles Foster Kane and his wife, Susan, at Xanadu shows the dominance that Kane bears over people in general as well as Susan specifically. Throughout the film, Orson Welles continues to convey the message of Susan’s inferiority to Mr. Kane. Also, Welles furthers the image of how demanding Kane is of Susan and many others. Mr. Welles conveys the message that Kane has suffered a hard life, and will

Citizen Kane brought the aspects of a newspaper tycoon in the 1940’s to life in a form of a dramatic narrative. This film is based on a true story of a newspaper magnate, William Randolph Hearst and based off of some aspects of Orson Welles(Writer and Director). This filmed has been named, “The best American film of all time” due to the fact that, during the time of its making, it was the first film to take on many new techniques of cinematography. Citizen Kane is a revolutionary film not only in the drama genre, but in filmmaking of all forms.

Throughout history filmmakers have made specific narrative and cinematic choices to create compelling storylines. There are many different strategies that can be explored when developing a narrative. The 1941 film, Citizen Kane directed by Orson Welles is a phenomenal example of the exploration of innovative uses in photography, sound and editing. Orson Welles uses staging, shadows, low-key lighting, deep focus and overlapping dialogue to emphasize various aspects of the film. The main character Charles Foster Kane is sent away by his parents when he is just little boy after they come into a large amount of money. Due to this, he grows up to be an insensitive and vain man. Kane becomes very successful but uses his wealth and position of power to govern the people in his life. Welles uses these cinematic techniques to accentuate the idea that Charles Kane 's desire to control the people around him eventually drives away those who care about him, leaving him powerless and alone.

Citizen Kane is a drama, mystery starring Orson Welles, Joseph Cotten, Dorothy Comingore. The 1941 firm was written by Herman J. Mankiewicz and Orson Welles. Moreover, the film was directed by Orson Welles. The film was distributed by RKO Radio Pictures. Citizen Kane is considered to be the greatest film of all time ranking number one on “AFI's 100 GREATEST AMERICAN FILMS OF ALL TIME”. (SOURCE: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0033467/ http://www.afi.com/100years/movies10.aspx)