Essay Example on Harvey's Dream: Understanding Success Despite Hardships

With friends and family, with the society that gives the push and support, with a hope and an admiration from all aspects from around a person; the chances that they successfully grow higher. It is believed that when given the hope that what one is doing, then they will always strive and work for their goal more easily. Willa Cather breaks this belief by telling the story of a young sculptor with a great dream. In this research paper a quest to understand how the factors went well for Harvey despite all the opposition he faced around him.

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After pursuing his dream for a better life through art and sculpting, Harvey had become the laughing stock. Back at the town the townspeople believe that for one to be considered successful they need to know how to make money. This is so widely accepted that when Harvey's father decides to take him for further studies the town sees a failure in him. For the villagers, the root of success is in finding the right position to influence the development of money. Dreams and ambitions are not worth following and should be eradicated.

On the other hand, Harvey's mother is a materialistic woman who has no consideration for the welfare of her children. During Harvey's funeral Annie quarrels a maid for not placing the salad. She is centered on ensuring her world is perfect and does not see the value of encouraging her son to build a future and develop to be a better person. It is even said that Harvey knew that back at his home town, he was not respected despite his accomplishments.

Without the help of her mother, Harvey was left to cling to the hope of his father. His life turns out to be fulfilling even with all these devastating blows by society. He manages to be a successful person-shaped to achieve his ambition and be what he dreamed he would be (Cather 6). He rises and becomes a successful sculptor who creates beautiful impressions in the lives of others. His determination and zeal are used by the author to depict the ability for a better life no matter the challenges. His is an example of dire determination even at the face of defeat and embarrassment. It would have been easier for him to fall back and follow the ways of the community, but rather, he chose to follow his dream and ensure he is the best he could be.

Given the situations he was in, Harvey is described as brave. He dared to move forward to pursue his dreams even when he knew that everyone was against it. Harvey dared move away from home and go to study and be the best in his field. When he understood the shortcomings of going against the tradition and ways of his people, he still pushed forward. He could face his fears with determination and turn a blind eye to every aspect that would ruin his life. He was brave and never wanted anything to sway him from his dream. He once told his student that he would not welcome well in the village even after his death.

Having a determined heart has been used by the author to show how life can be possible to live to the fullest, even with the gravest of dangers. His life gives the author the ability to depict how the influence, even those thought to be very influential a mother's, are all subject to our decisions and determination. The story gives the basis to which literature can be used to motivate society on proper ways to adapt and live a fulfilling life. From the story, it is imminent that the actions going on in the surrounding should not deter one from achieving their goals and ambitions. It is an eye-opener that dreams are valid, and the desire to get them will always be there through hard work and determination.

In American society today, many people are forced to succumb to what society has put in place for them. The parameters set by the folks reduce the young generation to being what they were not meant to be. Nonetheless, just like Harvey in The Sculptor's Funeral, there is youth who are fighting their way up and defying the odds and limits set by society. Chris James is such an example. Having developed a love for art and given him the need for attaining a goal that is living to twenty-five, he managed to rise and be an accomplished artist and an emblem of a determined generation.

In his song Overcoming the Odds, Chris James explains how the society believed that being a black boy in America he would either be in jail or dead before twenty-five years (James 2). His is a story of bravery to achieve what the society thought was impossible. He, just like Harvey, developed the need to get what they wanted and out of art, they managed to show their full potential even with all the criticism and influence. Seeing an older brother die is just a good example to give up and never try, but rather, Chris never gave in to the forces of society. He was determined to get to the goal and be the best he could be.

Conclusion

To sum, the way society is designed and structured is never an excuse. From the Sculptor's Funeral and Overcoming the Odds, we are given a picture of a society that looks down upon the young. This factor, however, does not change the course of the young men who decide to improve on their strong points and be the best they could ever be. The society may set the rules, but ambition is what takes one where they want to be.

Works Cited

Cather, Willa. The Sculptor's Funeral. SS McClure, 1905.

James, Chris. "About". The Chris James Journey, 2019, http://www.thechrisjamesjourney.com/about.html.