NÄR MYTEN HAR BETYDELSE I POLITIKEN

Sammanfattning: The topic for this research is the Kennedymyth in the context of the American dream. The posed question is, in what way this Kennedymyth in American politics, is part of the myth of the American dream. There are a number of theories regarding myth in the academic world. We refer to theoreticians and what they have written. In the analytical part we see in what way these different theories could correspond to the Kennedymyth – as well, in what way the Kennedymyth could be part of the myth of the American dream. The Kennedymyth is based on what has been written and said about president Kennedy. Advisers to president Kennedy as Arthur Schlesinger and Theodore Sorensen played a key position for the myth. What they wrote about Kennedy is one platform for this composition. We meet also the Kennedymyth through some of his political speeches as well as through what others in the family expressed, especially his wife Jacqueline Kennedy. The question is posed, in what way the Kennedymyth is part of the myth of the American dream. A base for this American dream – as well as the Kennedymyth – is that everyone, if one works hard – if you are open for a change – you can always reach your goals. In the Greek drama we meet the myth of Proteus and the myth of Sisofys. Proteus stands for a change for its own purpose. Sisofys stands for the opposite, the essence here is to have patience, to do what one always has done, to wait and see. America with its American dream is very much related to the myth of Proteus – it stands for change, hope, good future – as the American dream – personalised very much, as we will see, through the Kennedymyth and president John F Kennedy.