Viewing Goal: Identify arguments made in The Queen of Versailles
Writing Goal: Use personal knowledge I've gained throughout the year's Tows and readings to take a position on one argument I've identified
For much of America's history, the country has been known as a "melting pot" or "mixed salad"- people of every culture define themselves as one nationality, as "Americans", and blend their ideas and ways of life. But even though being called an "American" can be somewhat vague of a description, the title "American" also represents being a part of a powerful, capitalist society and, in many cases, part of a moral and loving family. People across the globe idolize the United States for its "American Dream"- to make it rich, be successful, and live a free, happy life with friends and family. The documentary The Queen of Versailles claim that the Siegel family is an "American family" is true to the extent that the family has achieved the "American Dream", but does not live up to American familial or social values.
Though the Siegel family is rich and famous, they do not live as an "American family" should. David and Jackie Siegel supposedly come from "humble backgrounds", but at the same time do not seem overall concerned about saving money at home, just saving money overall. Jackie worries about donating things and the employees they had to lay off, but continues to shop and drive around in a chauffeured limo. David worries about their Las Vegas resort and his wife's credit cards, but is extremely hesitant to sell the 90,000 square foot, $75 million "home" that he is building, nicknamed Versailles. Neither one realizes that they aren't really struggling, and neither one is eager to cut out things that really are unnecessary luxuries in order to live a still comfortable life and save their business. They don't notice the ridiculousness of a house such as Versailles, but argue over things like the lights being on when David gets home from work. The Siegels also cannot agree and fight within their own family. David's son admits that he is the only one of David's sons (who are part of the family business, Westgate) who will still stand by his father's decisions. Their staff, including their nannies, who are from South Asia (the Philippines? Vietnam?) cannot be with their families because they are required to care for the Siegel children. Victoria Siegel, one of David and Jackie's daughters, admits that she believes her father married her mother so he would have a pretty trophy wife to show off. Jackie knows nothing about the family finances, and feels out of the loop and stupid for being unaware. The family is not living with good family relationships; even though many American families do not have good relationships, many do not deal with the same issues at the same scale and almost no one else can blow off such issues to continue to live in luxury. The Siegel family does not live up to ideal "American Dream" familial or social values, even though the documentary argues that they are true, "down-to-earth" people.
In The Queen of Versailles, the Siegel family is presented as an average American family, happy and living the American Dream and acting on "American" social and familial values. They do not fit the true picture of America, despite the fact that the United States has a diverse population economically, socially, and racially. Whether the majority of America lives up to these morals or not, the Siegels are so "over-the-top" that their behavior doesn't fit in with skewed American morals. In fact, in many ways, the Siegels cannot be considered stereotypically "American" and do not act in ways that agree with American morals.
Though the Siegel family is rich and famous, they do not live as an "American family" should. David and Jackie Siegel supposedly come from "humble backgrounds", but at the same time do not seem overall concerned about saving money at home, just saving money overall. Jackie worries about donating things and the employees they had to lay off, but continues to shop and drive around in a chauffeured limo. David worries about their Las Vegas resort and his wife's credit cards, but is extremely hesitant to sell the 90,000 square foot, $75 million "home" that he is building, nicknamed Versailles. Neither one realizes that they aren't really struggling, and neither one is eager to cut out things that really are unnecessary luxuries in order to live a still comfortable life and save their business. They don't notice the ridiculousness of a house such as Versailles, but argue over things like the lights being on when David gets home from work. The Siegels also cannot agree and fight within their own family. David's son admits that he is the only one of David's sons (who are part of the family business, Westgate) who will still stand by his father's decisions. Their staff, including their nannies, who are from South Asia (the Philippines? Vietnam?) cannot be with their families because they are required to care for the Siegel children. Victoria Siegel, one of David and Jackie's daughters, admits that she believes her father married her mother so he would have a pretty trophy wife to show off. Jackie knows nothing about the family finances, and feels out of the loop and stupid for being unaware. The family is not living with good family relationships; even though many American families do not have good relationships, many do not deal with the same issues at the same scale and almost no one else can blow off such issues to continue to live in luxury. The Siegel family does not live up to ideal "American Dream" familial or social values, even though the documentary argues that they are true, "down-to-earth" people.
In The Queen of Versailles, the Siegel family is presented as an average American family, happy and living the American Dream and acting on "American" social and familial values. They do not fit the true picture of America, despite the fact that the United States has a diverse population economically, socially, and racially. Whether the majority of America lives up to these morals or not, the Siegels are so "over-the-top" that their behavior doesn't fit in with skewed American morals. In fact, in many ways, the Siegels cannot be considered stereotypically "American" and do not act in ways that agree with American morals.
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