Assertion Analysis #1: Cheerleader Sex and the Illusion of the American Dream

      John Green, famed author of numerous romance novels such as The Fault In Our Stars and Paper Towns, tackles in an interview the serious topic of the American Dream: Is the American Dream a facade? The American Dream is one that is pursued by immigrants of many places. The American Dream is the "perfect" image of life. Like a lot of "perfect" images, is it only an "edited" image that masks many problems underneath? John Green, in this statement, considers the American Dream a joke, an illusion with many problems.

       Green satirizes the American Dream, mocking it with references to ridiculous topics. An example of this is his analogy to the American Dream being "cheerleader sex". Although he is not of Korean descent, he speaks from the point of view of a Korean-American, whose parents wanted him to have cheerleader sex "in the woman's bathroom of a Waffle House just off the interstate". Cheerleaders are often presented as sex symbols in the United States, and Green presents cheerleader sex as an image of the American Dream. At the same time, cheerleader sex is a ridiculous, exaggerated idea, so therefore the American Dream is presented as a joke here in Green's statement. In addition, Green says that his parents "have sacrificed so much for this dream". Green asserts that many immigrants go through a great deal of suffering and loss for a dream that is only an illusion, and isn't real. Green continues, "And that is why we must journey on, despite all trials and tribulations". This asserts that even though that cheerleader sex (the American Dream) is an illusion, they still pursue the dream fervently. John Green is presenting a clear mockery of the American Dream here.

        Here, he collapses the idea of the American Dream in many ways. The statement that his parents wanted him to lose his virginity to a cheerleader is a hyperbole. It is an exaggeration; the American Dream is often presented as grandiose, but upon further inspection it is a ridiculous idea, according to Green. In this statement, Green also alludes to the "I Have A Dream" speech by Dr. Martin Luther King, stating, "They have a dream that one day...". In King's speech, he presents a perfect, realistic dream. Green's allusion takes that down and juxtaposes a big dream with an unrealistic, stupid idea. He finally presents the idea with verbal irony, going as far as saying the singular, "Lady and gentleman" instead of what is usually said. Green is obviously here making a humorous and sarcastic take to the American Dream.

         This satire and humor is meant by John Green evoke an emotional reaction, one that questions the American Dream. He tries to relate the reader to the idea, as having sex with a cheerleader is considered ridiculous to many, and will not happen to them. Here it is clear to the reader that the Dream is an illusion. To immigrants coming to America, however, it may not be an obvious illusion.