Ever since our Declaration of Independence was created, people have been emigrating from their home countries to live the American dream.This dream is stereotyped as a house with a white picket fence, a well-manicured backyard and two little children running around, doing what normal American children do. However some people view the American dream as something much different, be it living in a big city or on a small farm. In Neighbor Rosicky, the American dream is being able to provide for yourself, while raising a family who knows how to love, and knows how to give as well as receive.
One of the many themes of this story is hard work, and Rosicky leads by example. Never once during the story does he demonstrate the least bit of selfishness, instead thinking only of others, and teaching his sons to become selfless adults, through hard work and generosity. During the beginning half of the story, Rosickys doctor informs him his heart is not in the shape it used to be. He attributes this to the amount of time Rosicky spends in his fields, working as a farmer. When Rosicky hears the news, he is immediately taken aback, trying to think of what he would do around the house without having the fields to work in. He expresses to the doctor that he does not think it is right for a man to be in the kitchen, saying his place is out in the field.
The doctor is persistent, telling Rosicky that if he does not cut back on the hard labor, his heart will soon give out. Even with this information, it is hard for Rosicky to accept the fact that he will no longer be able to put in the hours he is accustomed to. This demonstrates the strong feelings Rosicky has for providing for his family. Even with his life in danger, he is unwilling to compromise his familys economic situation.
This is one example of how hard working Rosicky is, and what he is willing to sacrifice for those he loves. Later on in the story, Rosicky makes sacrifices again, this time for the sake of his sons marriage. When his son Rudolph is having trouble with his wife, Polly, Rosicky lets him have the familys only car, to take her to the theatre. Absorbing the disappointment of his other sons, he realizes the importance of marriage and knows how to give a helping hand without interfering. Although this is not an example of hard work in the sense of manual labor, but it does relate how Rosicky works hard to keep his family together. However, he does not forget his younger sons.
Throughout the story he offers them advice on becoming adults and respecting others. Rosicky also shows a great love for his wife during the story. Unlike the “typical” man of that era, he does not come home expecting supper on the table, he treats his wife as an equal, knowing that she works just as hard as he does raising the boys. Their marriage works as an equal partnership, both sacrificing their time, working hard and setting good examples for their sons.
Ultimately, Rosicky ended up sacrificing more than just hard work and time for others, he sacrificed his life. While working on his son Rudolphs field he suffers a heart attack, and is cared for by Polly. Once again he is warned to take it easy, but Rosicky, being the selfless man he always was, refuses to let his ailing heart prohibit him from doing things for those he loves. A few weeks after the first heart attack, Rosicky is tailoring his sons clothes when he feels a tightness in his chest. This heart attack kills him, and Rosicky dies while doing something he did all his life, helping others.
Not once during the story is Rosicky said to be giving less than a hundred percent. He always devotes himself to taking care of his family by working hard on his farm, or even around the house things such as tailoring for his growing boys. His generous attitude is a lesson for his sons, and up to the very end of his life, Rosicky stays true to his values. In doing so he hopes to send the message to his sons about how to be generous, contributing men when they too have families. Although Rosickys life may not be the typical American dream, he does not change himself to suit other peoples expectations, rather stays true to himself and continues to be the man he believes he should be. He does this with love generosity and hard work, and never doubts himself for a second.
Rosicky expresses his love for his wife and sons through his hard work to help them become a stable family. He accomplishes this goal because of his persistence and “never say die” attitude. This helps Rosicky become a better man, and live his own American dream.
