“Harry had worked his way through the American Dream and come to the conclusion that is was composed of a good lunch and a deep red wine that could soar.”
Explore This Quote Further
Analysis of Quote:
In this quote by Colum McCann, the character Harry reflects on his experiences with the American Dream. He suggests that the essence of this ideal is not grandiose wealth or success, but rather the simple pleasures of enjoying a good meal and a glass of wine. This sentiment challenges the traditional notion of the American Dream as materialistic and unattainable for many, highlighting the idea that true happiness can be found in everyday moments of joy and contentment. McCann's words invite readers to reconsider their own definitions of success and fulfillment, emphasizing the value of life's small pleasures.
The American Dream Revisited
In the quote by Colum McCann, Harry's belief that the American Dream is encapsulated in a good lunch and a glass of red wine speaks to the idea that success and fulfillment can be found in simple pleasures. This modern relevance can be seen in the emphasis on enjoying life's small moments and finding contentment in the everyday.
In the novel "Let the Great World Spin" by Colum McCann, the protagonist Harry reflects on his journey through the American Dream.
"Harry had worked his way through the American Dream and come to the conclusion that is was composed of a good lunch and a deep red wine that could soar.” - Colum McCann
Reflection Questions:
This quote by Colum McCann highlights the idea of the American Dream being simplified to just a good lunch and a glass of red wine. Take a moment to reflect on what this quote means to you and consider the following questions:
- Do you think the American Dream has evolved over time, and if so, how?
- How important do you think simple pleasures like good food and wine are in achieving personal fulfillment?
- What does this quote say about the values and priorities of American society?
- Reflect on your own interpretation of the American Dream and how it aligns with or differs from the sentiment expressed in this quote.
Similar quotes
“Good days, they come around the oddest corners.”
“I recalled the myth that I had once heard as a university student – thirty-six hidden saints in the world, all of them doing the work of humble men, carpenters, cobblers, shepherds. They bore the sorrows of the earth and they had a line of communication with God, all except one, the hidden saint, who was forgotten. The forgotten one was left to struggle on his own, with no line of communication to that which he so hugely needed. Corrigan had lost his line with God: he bore the sorrows on his own, the story of stories.”
“Goodness was more difficult than evil. Evil men knew that more than good men. That's why they became evil. That's why it stuck with them. Evil was for those who could never reach the truth. It was a mask for stupidity and lack of love. Even if people laughed at the notion of goodness, if they found it sentimental, or nostalgic, it didn't matter -- it was none of those things, he said, and it had to be fought for.”
“The city was bigger than its buildings, bigger than its inhabitants too. It had its own nuances. It accepted whatever came its way, the crime and the violence and the little shocks of good that crawled out from underneath the everyday.”
“In the summer quiet. Just be. Joshua liked the Beatles, used to listen to them in his room, you could hear the noise even through the big headphones he loved. Let it be. Silly song, really. You let it be, it returns. There's the truth. You let it be, it drags you to the ground. You let it be, it crawls up your walls.”
“...it was necessary to love silence, but before you could love silence you had to have noise.”