Julia Wilson Assignment 1

A major theme throughout Ludvigson's poem is the concept of the American Dream. One allusion that enhances this theme is Lugvigson's allusion to F. Scott Fitzgerald. Fitzgerald is best known for writing the novel The Great Gatsby. This book is about the American Dream of the 1920's and how it was idealized through wealth, as shown through the pedestal that Gatsby's extravagant parties were put on. In The Great Gatsby people ignored their underlying issues, so long as they were having a good time. This connects with the events of "Inventing My Parents". Despite being set during World War II, the poem puts a positive spin on what life was like and demonstrates the American Dream by recounting the evening of a couple with descriptions such as "My mother's face is lit with ideas" and "she's laughing, light as summer rain when it begins." Both works put positive spins on life in America at their respective times, which adds to the meaning of "Inventing My Parents".