Explain the theme and motif of the American Dream in the novel.

The "American Dream" is the belief that anyone can become prosperous in the United States if they work hard enough and have the determination to succeed. In this novel, Boyle examines that notion. The characters who labor the hardest, Candidó and América, are the poorest people in the novel. Even with an injured arm and a limp, Candidó puts more effort into his building projects than fellow workers do. On the other hand, Delaney works part-time at a job that involves nothing more than reflecting on the wildlife he observes while taking leisurely hikes. Kyra's work as a realtor, as Boyle presents it in the novel, involves chatting with people inside beautiful homes. Delaney and Kyra live a comfortable life that affords them a great deal of free time. Unlike Candidó and América, the Mossbachers have time to do work for the sake of fun. They spend their free time pursuing such activities as cooking and gardening, which a poor laborer might get paid the minimum wage to do. Delaney and Kyra do not need to work hard to afford their lifestyle, because they already have certain advantages that cause them not to fret over finances. Delaney's advantage is his trust fund, and Kyra's is her first-class education from Stanford University. Candidó and América, on the other hand, have no familial wealth or education to help them achieve their goals.