american dream
Explain the function of the massive use of questions in "American life"!
Collected Ideas
- Make audience think about questions
- Express a generally doubtful attitude about the American dream
- What do I have to live the American dream?
- Express the insecurity of the speaker
- all the changes in questions affect how you are seen by others
Final answer
In Madonna’s song American life are many questions that have a special meaning. Generally these questions express a doubtful attitude towards the American dream, which is not clearly defined. The speaker wonders if the attitude of the American dream fits him/her at all. (l. 7) Furthermore he wonders what she has to do to live the American dream and even thinks about changing her name. (l. 1) This shows the extreme insecurity of the speaker, who is almost willing to give up her identity. Doing this would all mean to change the impression that you make on other people. Audience may find that opportunistic or at least strange or sad. All in all these questions aim at making the reader doubt the American dream and try to find answers to these questions. Some readers may see themselves in these lines and critically rethink their own attitude towards the American dream.
- Madonna: American Life
