The American Dream

The American dream is an important theme in the novel “The Book of Unknown Americans” by Cristina Henriquez. The American dream is most often considered, in general, to have two aspects: freedom and security (by way of the safety of the United States and the ability to make a good living). That freedom and security, taken together, lead to what becomes specific American dreams – that which the individual seeks to do with his or her life. Specific American dreams differ according to the individual, but none are any less important than the others.

For many of the immigrants who move to the United States, a better life in terms of safety is the American dream. For the Toros, this is clearly the case. They want to leave the instability of Panama behind them for the safety of American shores. They are especially shocked to...