The American Dream Deconstructed: A Study of Hopelessness in Something Happened

Abstract

This paper explores how Joseph Heller’s novel Something Happened deconstructs the traditional notion of the American Dream, revealing its deep connection to personal dissatisfaction and hopelessness. Set against the backdrop of corporate America in the post-World War II era, the story follows Bob Slocum, a man who appears to have achieved success in every conventional sense — a stable job, a family, and financial security. However, beneath the surface, Bob is consumed by fear, guilt, and a profound sense of emptiness. Through a close examination of Slocum’s personal and professional life, the paper illustrates how the pursuit of material success and social status often leads not to fulfilment but to emotional isolation and despair. Heller portrays the American Dream not as a path to happiness but as a hollow structure that traps individuals in cycles of anxiety and meaninglessness. By analyzing Bob’s internal struggles and the disintegration of his family and work relationships, the paper highlights Heller’s critique of modern society’s promises and the inevitable hopelessness that follows their collapse.