Compromised Prosperity in Linden Hills: The Flawed Pursuit of the American Dream Anonymous 11th Grade

American poet Ralph Waldo Emerson once stated, “Without a rich heart, wealth is an ugly beggar.” While many would agree with Emerson’s claim that materialistic gain is insignificant without core values and a strong moral compass, the community of Linden Hills would likely disagree. Setting her novel in an all black, wealth-obsessed community of high achieving families and individuals, Gloria Naylor explores topics of success, the American Dream, and a loss of identity in Linden Hills. In Linden Hills, Gloria Naylor suggests that in order for African Americans to achieve the materialistic aspects of the American Dream, such as visible wealth and an elevated social status, they must sacrifice their moral values and adopt an alternate identity because of the demanding requirements for being an active member of high society. Despite this, Naylor also suggests that those who have not been a part of the upper class are able to appreciate what they have and focus on living their lives to the greatest potential, rather than living for the sole purpose of attaining status and wealth.

To begin, Naylor argues that African Americans will frequently surrender values that would normally be central to their identities to achieve materialistic...