The Irony of the American Dream
Mark Twain observes, “In some few cases these cabins were still occupied; and when this was so, you could depend upon it that the occupant was the very pioneer who had built the cabin; and you could depend on another thing, too -- that he was there because he had once had his opportunity to go home to the States rich, and had not done it; had rather lost his wealth, and had then in his humiliation resolved to sever all communication with his home relatives and friends, and be to them thenceforth as one dead.” The representation of the occupiers of the cabins is ironic. Being in the paradise-like California, one would postulate that occupiers were enchanting themselves with the American dream. The irony of the life in the cabins validates that the American dream is not an unqualified warranty. The undertakings of seeking gold in California did not convert all the exploiters into flourishing individuals, so they suffered defeat the game (American dream).
The Irony of Henry’s Face
The narrator discerns that,” this one hadn't a deserted look; it had the look of being lived in and petted and cared for and looked after.” The remark denotes that the Henry is sparkling unlike the other quiescent miners in California. However, the narrator, in the falling action, recognizes that Henry is mentally unstable. Therefore, the dynamic face does not replicate Henry’s proper mental status.
