Andre Dubus III, author of House of Sand and Fog, had written in reference to immigrants in America, "Dat's what they say of this cauntry back home, Kath: 'America, the land of milk and honey.' Bot they never tell you the milk's gone sour and the honey's stolen." Immigrants from the 1700s to modern day have all held one thing dear to their hearts that connect them and explain the reasons for why they come to America, and it is called the American Dream. .
In the past and present, immigrants traveled to the United States of America in search of opportunities, a better and richer life, and prosperity. Every country has its own problems and situations to drive their citizens away and for this reason, some immigrants seek a life in America. In the book Ashes of Roses written by Mary Jane Auch, the protagonist Rose Nolan travels to America with her family yearning to achieve her American Dream. However, as her luck decreases it becomes hard for Rose to attain the American Dream and by the end of the book, she never does.
Acceptance is important when going through a new experience and wanting to feel as if you belong with the people around you and the surroundings. When Rose first arrived in America with her family, all she had were a few belongings and an address to her Uncle Patrick's house, which he lived in with his family that included two step daughters, his son, and his wife. However, the dislike of the two step daughters, Hildegarde and Trudy, and their mother, Elsa, had towards the Nolan family were easily shown. .
Elsa and Trudy thought Rose and her family were a nuisance. Although they weren't in the best shape and form from the days they had been on the ship, Trudy judges them and clearly informs Elsa on her resentment towards them. In this conversation between Trudy and Elsa, Trudy's judgments are easily shown, "Elsa's voice was just a low hum, but Trudy's sharp words cut through the door like a spoon through lard.