Dream that won’t die: Why the American dream triumphs in We Need New Names by NoViolet Bulawayo

This paper explores the role of Zimbabwean migrants in sustaining the myth of the American Dream in NoViolet Bulawayo’s <i>We Need New Names</i>. While existing research on this novel examines external factors, such as socioeconomic instability in Zimbabwe and media representation, this study focuses on the internal actions of Zimbabwe migrants in sustaining the American Dream. Though often subtle and unintentional, these internal actions significantly influence migration trends from Zimbabwe. By selectively sharing their experiences, Zimbabwe migrants create an incomplete and idealized version of life in America for those in Zimbabwe. I posit that Zimbabwe migrants are not just passive victims of the American Dream but active participants in perpetuating it. By positioning Zimbabwe migrants as agents in promoting the American Dream, this study introduces a new dimension to Zimbabwe's migration discourse.