America?" said Gamesh, smiling. "Roland, what's American to you? Or me, or those tens of thousands up in the the stands? It's just a word they use to keep your nose to the grindstone and your toes to the line. America is the opiate of the people.
In Philip Roth's "The Great American Novel," the character Gamesh expresses a critical view of the concept of America. He questions what America truly means to different individuals, suggesting that it serves as a label utilized by those in power to maintain control over the populace. This implies that the idea of America can vary significantly based on perspective, reducing it to a mere idea rather than a solid identity. Gamesh's assertion that "America is the opiate of the people" suggests that it distracts and pacifies the masses, keeping them compliant and focused on their everyday struggles. By using this metaphor, Roth articulates a sense of disillusionment with the notion of the American Dream, indicating that the ideal has become a tool for societal manipulation rather than a genuine source of inspiration or hope.
In Philip Roth's "The Great American Novel," the character Gamesh expresses a critical view of the concept of America. He questions what America truly means to different individuals, suggesting that it serves as a label utilized by those in power to maintain control over the populace. This implies that the idea of America can vary significantly based on perspective, reducing it to a mere idea rather than a solid identity.
Gamesh's assertion that "America is the opiate of the people" suggests that it distracts and pacifies the masses, keeping them compliant and focused on their everyday struggles. By using this metaphor, Roth articulates a sense of disillusionment with the notion of the American Dream, indicating that the ideal has become a tool for societal manipulation rather than a genuine source of inspiration or hope.
