People usually pay more attention to the positive side of the American dream, even though it is likely that this will put the real life at risk. The reality is an important element and fundamental to have a dream; if people decide to pursue dreams without considering reality or try to achieve dream without putting in enough effort, the consequences will be disastrous. We also need to be confronted with failure rather than escape when we suffer from failure. In this essay, by analyzing Thomas and Ned's failure in these two stories, and explaining details from my experience of failure in high school, I will explore importance of reality within the American dream. These leanings help me to adjust my attitudes toward my own dreams and my motivations to make my dreams come true.
             In terms of choices, people deserve the consequences of choices when they decide their own ways to achieve the dreams. If we think and decide to make dreams come true without considering reality, the consequences will be horrible. Like Thomas in the " The Lotus Eater", he wants to live outside the real world and enjoy beautiful scenery on the money that he has from his annuity; without thinking carefully about the financial realities, the consequence of his decisions is unfortunate. According to Maugham, "Wilson, like a hunted animal, had made for safely"(p9). The animal is symbol of a dirty, crazy and low quality of life; Maugham uses the animal as a metaphor for Thomas in order to show that Thomas is not human being any more, he has no consciousness or emotion, he cannot feel happiness or sadness, not to mention having a dream.
             He makes a choice to challenge the real world, but he is unable to divorce the real world and fantasy, he chooses the ridiculous way to achieve his dream, he enjoys life when he has money and chooses to suicide when he runs out. However, he does not want to die when he runs out of money in reality, so he sta...