Main Idea: This book not only focuses on the individual growth and histories of the characters, but

also
the changing image of African American culture as a whole during that time period.
Message: Dreamgirls addresses themes of desire, optimism, and betrayal through gospel, R&B,
smooth pop, disco, and more. This is all set in the beautiful but at the same time competitive
environment of the music industry and how the money and power can change people.

The Dreamettes (Effie, Deena and Lorelle), a young black girl group from Chicago, compete in a
talent show, in 1962. The ladies and C.C. (effies brother and the dreamettes song writer) meet Curtis
Taylor who is a car salesman who becomes the Dreamettes' manager offering them a lifetime
opportunity singing as backing vocals for Jimmy Early. Jimmy and the Dreamettes go on tour, and
C.C. composes various songs for them such as "Cadillac Car" and , "Steppin' to the Bad Side." As a
result, the song becomes a huge pop success. When Effie begins dating Curtis and Jimmy, a
married guy, begins an affair with Lorrell, things become even more difficult. Curtis gradually gains
control over the girls' physical appearance and musical tastes, eventually casting them as The
Dreams. The most significant of these changes is Deena's replacement of Effie as main singer. Effie
is unhappy of her newfound prominence in the group but The Dreams become a mainstream
success with hit tracks over the next few years. Effie starts missing shows due to illness which is
really that she is pregnant with Curtis' kid. Curtis and Deena believe she is attempting to the ruin the
performance so he substitutes Effie with, Michelle Morris. Effie confronts Curtis, C.C., and the group,
but they continue on without her. Deena Jones and the Dreams had become the country's most
successful girl group by 1972. C.C. is in love with Michelle, and Deena has married Curtis. Jimmy
hasn't had a hit in years. Effie has returned to Chicago as a single mother to her daughter, Magic,
and is struggling to find work. Marty, who is now her manager, pushes her to regain her confidence
and stop acting like a diva. Deena, in contrast to Effie's stumbling return to music, wants to give up
singing and pursue a career as an actor. Deena informs Curtis but Curtis refuses to let her go.
Deena Jones and the Dreams and Jimmy Early perform at a National Democratic fundraiser. As
Jimmy approaches the stage to sing, Lorrell is in tears and also stops her relationship with Jimmy.
Jimmy had an overdose and died. At a recording studio, Marty arranges for C.C. to meet and
reconcile with Effie. Effie records C.C.'s "One Night Only" in its original ballad format. When "One
Night Only" starts going up in the charts, Curtis decides to release Deena and the Dreams' version,
but also to employs many bribery to push Effie's version down. Curtis' scheme is discovered by Effie,
C.C., and Marty, who confront him backstage at a Dreams concert and threaten him with legal
action. Deena finally has the guts to leave Curtis and live her own life after realizing what kind of
man he is. Effie rejoins the Dreams on stage for the final number of their farewell show, and all four
Dreams sing their signature song ("Dreamgirls (Reprise)") one last time.

Racism: I consider there is a very big amount of racism in this book because The Civil
Rights Movement emerged in the 1960s, involving millions of people in a fundamental
struggle for democratic rights. Dreamgirls deals with the same period and similar issues
from a black perspective. With the Civil Rights Movement and the Detroit Riots both
used as background events during the book, the overarching struggles of black artists is
set against a much larger struggle of the African American community in America.
There where race riots that were non violent protests for the African American rights.
One clear example of racism was when there was segregation in public spaces such as
restaurants and most servers where black.

 What are the consequences is the world facing about racism in the 21st century?

those of African descent were captured in their homelands, brought

here against their will, sold into slavery, fundamentally dehumanized
and had their family structure brutally broken. 

The original recording of "Cadillac Car" climbs the pop charts, but a cover version by white pop
singers Dave and the Sweethearts ("Cadillac Car" (Reprise)) steals the show.