http://harlotofthearts.org/blog/2009/02/06/extreme-makeover-american-dream-edition/ Wed, 07 Jul 2010 04:21:48 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0 http://harlotofthearts.org/blog/2009/02/06/extreme-makeover-american-dream-edition/comment-page-1/#comment-519 jim Mon, 16 Feb 2009 18:53:03 +0000 http://harlotofthearts.org/blog/?p=755#comment-519 Well, it's hard to maintain the hard-work-leads-to-success myth in the face of double digit unemployment, rampant foreclosures, bankrupt companies and Madoff scale ponzi schemes. So, you're suggesting that the myth got it's own "makeover" by way of the fairy tale, to make a "bit of luck or magic-leads-to-success" story (Lord of the Rings, Harry Potter, Who wants to be a millionaire, etc). It helps if a) the protagonist's parents are dead. b) He (it's almost always he) isn't really pursuing the success that he achieves (Jamal didn't want the money, just to be reunited with Latika; Harry didn't want his fame, just to understand his history and fate); c)He demonstrates his worthiness through symbolic acts of courage and integrity that don't materially assist the attainment of his goals (which remains in the hands of the gods) d) they are youthful, attractive, and male and e) possess or receive some scar or sign of their selection. Well, it’s hard to maintain the hard-work-leads-to-success myth in the face of double digit unemployment, rampant foreclosures, bankrupt companies and Madoff scale ponzi schemes. So, you’re suggesting that the myth got it’s own “makeover” by way of the fairy tale, to make a “bit of luck or magic-leads-to-success” story (Lord of the Rings, Harry Potter, Who wants to be a millionaire, etc). It helps if a) the protagonist’s parents are dead. b) He (it’s almost always he) isn’t really pursuing the success that he achieves (Jamal didn’t want the money, just to be reunited with Latika; Harry didn’t want his fame, just to understand his history and fate); c)He demonstrates his worthiness through symbolic acts of courage and integrity that don’t materially assist the attainment of his goals (which remains in the hands of the gods) d) they are youthful, attractive, and male and e) possess or receive some scar or sign of their selection.

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