From Idealism to Realism: The Changing Landscape of the American Dream in Requiem for a Dream

Mgr. Sakinat Karimova

Master's thesis

Abstract:

The main aim of this work is to analyse the portrayal of the American Dream in the film adaptation by Darren Aronofsky Requiem for a Dream by interpreting the film language of the director. Taking into consideration the sociohistorical and sociocultural aspects of the concept of the American Dream, its evolution in Hollywood, its effect on American society, and vice versa, the thesis will focus both on theoretical as well as artistical aspects of the notion. The representation of the social myths of America will help us understand how the American dream is portrayed in the spiritual culture of America through analysing the evolution of the concept in Hollywood.

Abstract:

The main aim of this work is to analyse the portrayal of the American Dream in the film adaptation by Darren Aronofsky Requiem for a Dream by interpreting the film language of the director. Taking into consideration the sociohistorical and sociocultural aspects of the concept of the American Dream, its evolution in Hollywood, its effect on American society, and vice versa, the thesis will focus both on theoretical as well as artistical aspects of the notion. The representation of the social myths of America will help us understand how the American dream is portrayed in the spiritual culture of America through analysing the evolution of the concept in Hollywood.

Keywords

American dream, myth, ideology, evolution, cinematography, film language, Hollywood, Darren Aronofsky

Language used: English

Date on which the thesis was submitted / produced: 16. 5. 2023

Thesis defence

• Date of defence: 13. 6. 2023
• Supervisor: doc. PhDr. Tomáš Pospíšil, Ph.D.
• Reader: Mgr. Jana Pelclová, Ph.D.

Masaryk University

Faculty of Arts

Master programme / field:
North-American Culture Studies / Anglophone and Hispanophone Area Studies