Prompt #2 Revision

2008. In a literary work, a minor character, often known as a foil, possesses traits that emphasize, by contrast or comparison, the distinctive characteristics and qualities of the main character. For example, the ideas or behavior of a minor character might be used to highlight the weaknesses or strengths of the main character. Choose a novel or play in which a minor character serves as a foil for the main character. Then write an essay in which you analyze how the relation between the minor character and the major character illuminates the meaning of the work.

 In The American Dream by Edward Albee, there are charcters that are foils of one another. They also play a large role into the the theme and main idea of the play as a whole. The main character of the play is Grandma, while the minor is Young Man. These two characters are what this play revolves around. Albee uses these characters to compare and contrast the two kinds of people in the world: the materialistic and the non materialistic.
     Grandma is an old woman who lives with her daughter, Mommy, and her daughter's husband, Daddy. Grandma is ignore and seems to be useless and annoying to Mommy and Daddy. Mommy wants nothing to do with her and wants to have her carted off to a nursing home. Daddy doesn't seem to care either way, but he isn't opposed to having her carted off. Young Man is a young, materialistic, your stereotypical, perfect boy. He's attractive, masculine, and everything any girl would ever want.
     Grandma represents the old American dream, while Young Man represents the new American dream. Grandma is falling apart and decrepited. Young Man is every way complete, except he has no values. While Grandma has all these values, and seems to  know everything, and strives for what she wants, Young Man will do anything for money and doesn't care about anything other than materialisitc goods.
    To represent the materialistic views of the world Albee uses Mommy and Daddy to get this point across. When Grandma brings in the boxes and continues to mention them, Mommy and Daddy are only concerned with what the boxes look like. They cannot see through the boxes even though Grandma tries to get them to see through it. Grandma mentions the boxes hoping Mommy and Daddy will see past the wrapping to view what is inside. But this just shows how materialistic people view things; only from the outside.
    With the two contrasting characters, Albee tries to show how the world is going to become materialistic. He tries to get across the point that we only see what is right in front of our faces and we are never satisfied. While with the old dream, we had values and strived for what we wanted to be happy. The dream is no longer about what makes you happy and having a family, and the house and car. It has become something where no one is perfect and what color hat you have decides your social superiority.
     These two characters and their values and manner help show what Albee is trying to say about the old dream fading away. At the end of the play, Grandma finally gives up her role as the dream to Young Man and leaves. She then leaves it up to the audience to help the old American Dream live on and strive.