What are the motifs in The Dollmaker by Harriette Simpson Arnow?

Living the American Dream is a recurring idea in the book. The American Dream is traditionally defined according to the words of the United States Constitution, which indicates that the country was founded with the goal of providing the opportunity for "life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness." This is certainly the core motivation of The Dollmaker'scentral characters. Gertie and Clovis, along with most of the people around them, want what they want and do what they do in order to realize the goal of living life the way they want, have the liberty to do so, and find happiness within that.