Question

What are some specific images in the song "The Best We Can Do" by Steve Earle that relate to the American Dream?

Answer 1

In "The Best We Can Do" by Steve Earle, there are several specific images that relate to the American Dream:

1. "Rusted factories and boarded up stores": This image reflects the decline of American manufacturing and the loss of jobs that were once a cornerstone of the American Dream.
2. "Fading pictures in a broken frame": This image suggests a nostalgia for a time when the American Dream was more attainable, but that time has passed and is no longer accessible to many.
3. "Busted hands and a broken back": This image speaks to the physical toll that many Americans have endured in pursuit of the American Dream, often working long hours in physically demanding jobs.
4. "A trailer park on the wrong side of the track": This image suggests the struggle that many Americans face in trying to escape poverty and achieve upward mobility, as they are often limited by their socioeconomic circumstances.
5. "A soldier in a foreign land": This image speaks to the sacrifices that many Americans have made in service to their country, often in pursuit of a better life for themselves and their families.

These images paint a picture of the challenges and obstacles that many Americans face in trying to achieve the American Dream, as well as the sense of disillusionment and disappointment that can result from falling short of that ideal!