American dream of success and how it drifts people to existential loneliness: Richard Yates' Revolutionary Road

Since its discovery, America has been seen as a land of opportunity, a place where people could start fresh and achieve their dreams. It has attracted individuals from diverse backgrounds, drawn by the promise of basic rights and the chance to build a new life. For generations, the American Dream has been a central element of the nation's cultural identity, symbolizing the belief that success and upward mobility are attainable through effort, perseverance, and creativity. This ideal has long served as a source of hope and aspiration. This study traces the evolution and critique of the American Dream, from its Puritan origins to the present day. It explores how figures like Benjamin Franklin and Abraham Lincoln shaped the nation's core values of freedom and self-governance, and how Horatio Alger's "rags to riches" stories captured the Dream's promise during the Civil War and industrial expansion. After World War II, the American Dream shifted, becoming associated with material prosperity—owning a house, a car, and living in the suburbs. The study focuses on the Wheeler family in Richard Yates' Revolutionary Road, who strive to hold on to the high ideals imposed by the American Dream. Frank and April Wheeler, disillusioned with suburban life and convinced of their uniqueness, struggle to reconcile their dreams with the reality of their lives. April's tragic efforts to escape her trapped existence illustrate the widening gap between aspiration and reality. Through sharp realism, Yates critiques the disillusionment with the American Dream, exposing the loneliness and conflict behind the façade of suburban success. Although once a source of hope, the American Dream today is often seen as a myth. What was once viewed as a pathway to success has become an illusion, as social and economic realities make it increasingly unattainable for many. This study ultimately reveals the harsh truths behind the ideal, showing how it has shifted from a dream to an unreachable myth. Key Words: American Dream of Success, Revolutionary Road, Richard Yates, Existential Loneliness.