The song American Dream by Raye Zaragoza and Norman Rockwell's painting Freedom from Want both explore themes related to the American ideal, but they approach it from different perspectives.
Faglig kvalitetssikret av lærere og toppstudenter · Følger læreplanen (LK20) · Sist oppdatert 2026-10-02
Below, you find the lyrics from the song 'American Dream' and the painting Freedom from Want.
'American Dream' was first published in 2017 and is written by Raye Zaragoza (b. 1993), who has a mixed Japanese, Mexican and Indigenous background. Freedom from Want was created in 1943 by Norman Rockwell (1894–1978). Norman Rockwell was an American painter and illustrator whose art reflects everyday life in America.
Write a text in which you interpret the song lyrics below and compare them to the painting in light of their historical and cultural contexts.
References:
Rockwell, N. (1943). Freedom from Want. Oil on canvas, 45 3/4″ x 35 1/2″. Story illustration for The Saturday Evening Post, 6 March, 1943. Norman Rockwell Museum Collections. ©SEPS: Curtis Licensing, […]
The song American Dream by Raye Zaragoza and Norman Rockwell's painting Freedom from Want both explore themes related to the American ideal, but they approach it from different perspectives, reflecting the historical and cultural contexts in which they were created.
In American Dream (2017), Zaragoza critiques the idealized notion of the American Dream, highlighting the struggles and divisions that many people face in pursuit of a better life. The lyrics express disillusionment with the current state of the country, where hate and division appear to be prevalent in the political discourse. Zaragoza’s lines—“But hate can’t be the face of the American Dream”—suggest that the true spirit of the American Dream has been lost, overtaken by the negativity and divisiveness of modern society. The song also reflects the personal struggle of the narrator, contemplating her own future in a world filled with uncertainty, fear, and systemic injustice. The mention of her mother’s experience in a boarding school, removed from her culture and people, further alludes to the mistreatment of Indigenous peoples and the ongoing legacy of colonialism and racism in the United States. The song calls for change, emphasizing that individuals have the power to make a difference—“Change is a choice, and it can start with me.”
In contrast, Rockwell’s Freedom from Want (1943) portrays a more traditional, optimistic view of the American Dream, focusing on post-war prosperity. The painting shows a family gathered around a dinner table, symbolizing the ideal of abundance, security, and togetherness. It was created during World War II, at a time when many Americans were experiencing hardship and sacrifice, but the painting represents the hopes and aspirations of a nation looking toward a brighter, more prosperous future. Rockwell’s work reflects the ideal that the American Dream is about having enough to provide for one's family, share with others, and enjoy the fruits of hard work. The painting depicts the ultimate goal of achieving freedom from want—a literal representation of the American Dream in its material sense.
While Rockwell’s painting emphasizes unity, stability, and fulfillment through material abundance, Zaragoza’s song reflects a more nuanced and critical perspective. Her song is rooted in contemporary issues, addressing the inequalities and hardships that many still face, particularly marginalized communities such as Indigenous peoples. Zaragoza’s call for change is framed within a context of resistance to systemic injustices that persist in American society. The historical context of Freedom from Want, created during wartime and in the post-depression era, contrasts with the ongoing struggles highlighted in American Dream, where inequality and hate continue to undermine the promise of prosperity and equality for all.
In summary, while both works address the American Dream, Rockwell’s Freedom from Want presents an idealized vision of the American family enjoying the rewards of peace and prosperity, while Zaragoza’s American Dream questions this vision, confronting the realities of division, systemic oppression, and the need for societal change. Both works shed light on different aspects of the American experience, shaped by their respective historical contexts, but Zaragoza’s song emphasizes a call for a more inclusive and compassionate interpretation of the American Dream.