To say that "Gilmore Girls" is a popular and influential show is an understatement. That's the search results on this site for "Gilmore Girls" and the list is pretty large. I'd beg that in my own preference, that it is one of my favorite shows. Of course there are a lot of factors to this: The dialogue, cast, likeable characters and wacky situations that move forward a compelling plot are the oft quoted reasons. Today I want to posit another one: "Gilmore Girls" is a discussion of the American Dream.
More specifically, each of the titular girls (Emily, Lorelai and Rory) bring to light different viewpoints of what the American Dream is. Emily Gilmore is an older woman who gets what she wants by being passive aggressive. Born into old American money and married into old American money, her days are spent dealing with things the viewer may see as mundane such as angsting over Daughters of the American Revolution meetings. While she does end up facing a series of complex problems, a lot of these are caused by her husband (who holds a secret friendship with his ex girlfriend, neglect to tell her he retired and neglects to tell her that his pension is being used as collateral in a business venture). She is also an overbearing mother, her strict values having been what pushed her daughter and granddaughter out of her life before the start of the series.
Lorelai was born into old money, but left it to raise her daughter as a single mother. In contrast to Emily, Lorelai has worked for every last thing she has. Starting as a maid who lived in a shack and becoming the owner of an inn who lived in a house, she is the epitome of the idea that the American Dream is working your way up in the world. Notably, unlike her Emily, she is close with her daughter.
Rory is the ultimate benefactor of Lorelai's work. The show begins only because Lorelai is forced to reconnect with her parents to put her through the best prep school in Connecticut. Rory is continually placed in a privileged position compared to her peers, ie. she graduates top of her class, gets into Yale. That is not to say that she cruises on privilege alone. Rory's drive to succeed is inspiring to watch. Although, her drive to succeed does become too much sometimes. For example, at the suggestion that she wouldn't make it in the world of journalism, she stole a yacht.
Ultimately, I don't believe "Gilmore Girls" tells us which viewpoint of the American Dream is correct. Rather it expands out the lives of all its characters to paint a distinct picture of life in America.
Now please enjoy this still of a person being pushed into a lake.
