The American dream in "Them", by Joyce Carol Oates

Abstract

"Them", written by Joyce Carol Oates in 1969, is a naturalistic novel which depicts the life of the Wendalls, a working class family. Even if it is a fiction, it has been written thanks to Wendall's account of her life. The story starts in 1930's with the Great Depression and ends in 1960's with the race riots ; most of it takes place in Detroit. It tells us about the everyday life and struggles of three main characters : Loretta and her children Maureen and Jules who are trying to live The American Dream.