Everything you need to understand or teach American Dreams by John Jakes.
Fritzi Crown, one of the leading characters of the novel, states the basic theme of American Dreams. She contrasts her childhood dreams of becoming a dramatic Shakespearean actress on Broadway with her successful career as a slapstick comedienne in the movies: Unfulfilled dreams disappeared, rucked away in some ghostly bureau drawer like last year's unwearable style—mementos of what might or should have been. Sometimes dreams changed. . . .Her dream had come true...