Page 244 - A Handbook Genre Studies in Mass Media

MYTHIC APPROACH

tion about the Romantic Ideal comes from Arlene, a twenty-one-year-old
student and model, who discusses her “14-year plan.”

By the time I’m 35, I want a big, big house, all kind of sports cars. I’ll
just have companies that are being run by certain people. And have a lot
of investments that are kind of working for it. I’ll be able to spend time
with my kids and spend time with my husband and travel everywhere and
not have to worry about my boss and my vacation time and the kind of
things that most people are worried about. 26

In this a materialistic scenario, the man fits into her life like any other
commodity. Indeed, Arlene’s only comment about the man in her life
is, “If I’m making 500,000 a year, and he’s making 80, that causes a lot
of problems.” 27

Inter-genre Analysis

Some cultural myths transcend individual genres, reflecting their perva-
sive nature throughout a culture. For instance, the cultural myth of the
American Dream can be found across genres, including game shows,
reality programs, and romantic comedies. The premise of the American
Dream is that everyone has a chance for success. In 1840, Alexis de
Tocqueville wrote, “At any moment a servant may become a master.” 28
Unfortunately, this American cultural myth flies in the face of the
realities of today’s economy. According to U.S. Census Bureau reports
on household income in 2005, nearly half the total income—49.7 percent
—went to the top 20 percent of households and just 3.6 percent to the
bottom 20 percent. On the other hand, the richest 5 percent of U.S. house-
holds—those making over $145,500—took in 21.9 percent of all income,
well above the 17.5 percent share recorded in 1967. According to Princ-
29
eton economist Alan B. Krueger, “Recent trends in income distribution
have made upward mobility less likely” than it was even twenty years
ago. However, the prospect of upward mobility becomes less remote
30
when the myth is reinforced repeatedly across popular genres. Every time
a person wins the national Powerball lottery, the ceremony presenting
the lucky recipient with an oversized check is shown on television over
and over. But at the same time, a cumulative message in programs that
celebrate the American Dream is that those who fail to “make it” have
only themselves to blame and somehow deserve their fate.

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