Which were successful in pursuing their dream and which weren't, in your opinion? At what point should you listen to others' opinions about your intended path? At what point do you abandon your dream, if ever?

Pursuing one's dream is a major theme throughout the novel. Which of the characters do you feel were in the process of pursuing their dream? Which were successful and which weren't, in your opinion? At what point should you listen to others' opinions about your intended path? At what point do you abandon your dream, if ever?

What happens to a dream deferred? Mack rolled his dream of baseball into being a teacher and coach. Corky's mom got to fulfill her dream of working at something besides being a housewife - first by working part time at the library and then by managing the cosmetic section of the pharmacy and then by taking piano lessons. Corky's dream of becoming a reporter was fulfilled. We don't know what America's dream was - she was a skilled runner and also skilled with the sewing machine. When she showed up on Corky's doorstep later in a "beautiful, handsewn, tailored outfit" the reader can only surmise that she did something with her sewing ability.

I think you should value opinions which are realistic - for example you might not want to pursue marine biology if you have failed the class multiple times.

I have had as many dreams as I have had jobs. Not all have been fulfilled but some have been fulfilled in ways I never could have imagined. I haven't abandoned any of them yet.

scgirl answered the above with all my same thoughts in a perfect explanation, although I will add that crushing anyone's dreams, particularly a young adult, can have devastating effects on their confidence and self-esteem. So many pursuits need to be fine-tuned and adapted to a current circumstance, but never forgotten, if the dream is heartfelt and leads to a passion that ultimately brings happiness your way! There is no "timeline" if that passion stays lit for an individual. The noise of the world provides plenty of doubt, but we control what we listen to with intent... the nay-sayers of this world step aside!

Pursuing one's dream is an important part of the book. I had dreams when I was a kid, but I did not have confidence in them. Fear of failure held me back. I wish I had learned as a kid that it was ok not to get the right answer the first and that failure can actually help us learn.

Corky fufillrf her dream
Corky's brother had to modify his dream because of his sight, but he still covered the
game he loved.
Corky's mother finally was able to fufill her dream.
America became an incredible sewist....and I feel that it may have been her dream all
along instead of others' dream of running or playing women's baseball.
I always wanted to be in a helping field with the elderly. I was a CNA, a Rehab Discharge Planner, a licensed Social Worker and an Assisted Living Administrator - all helping the elderly population.
My second dream was to become a Home Economics teacher. I satisfied that dream by piecing quilts for my hobby.
I also have Library Science college credits and I have volunteered in libraries. That dream was not fulfilled, but enough to know that my true love is reading books.
So I am blessed.

Corky knew what she wanted to be when she grew up and she was able to pursue her dream. Although America had some doubts other people had high hopes that she would be awarded a scholarship and become an athlete like Wilma Rudolph. Mack had his dream, but he had to switch gears because of an unfortunate event that left a permanent injury. In a way Mack still pursued his dream but the dream took a different direction then what he thought he wanted. Belle also pursued her dream and was very successful, even though her husband was opposed at first to her working. Eventually he supported her dream to the fullest.

If someone wants to pursue a certain career or direction in their lives, I think it is wise to encourage them if it is what they truly want to do. If their dream is realistic, encourage them and inform them what will be required of them. A person should be able to go in the direction their heart dictates and if it doesn't work out for them, it is life lesson and it is up to that person to figure out what needs to be done in order to obtain their goals. By telling them they cannot do something could cause resentment.

As others have said, Corky realized her dream of being a reporter, Belle was able to work outside the home which was something she had desired to do, and Mack had to adjust his dreams to fit his current capabilities. I’m not sure we know what America’s dream was or if it was fulfilled, but she seemed to be successful when we saw her later. I think everyone should have dreams to work toward, but they also need to be willing to modify when needed. You can listen to other’s opinions, but you don’t necessarily need to take them to heart.