Creating The American Dream Analysis

The American Dream is indefinable. There is no one set of words or characteristics that the entire population assigns directly to its definition. With the American population consisting of people of various races, ethnicities, ages, classes, and genders, it seems trivial to even attempt to attribute a single definition to the concept of the American Dream. It is this inability however, to be confined within one single meaning, that allows for the American Dream to govern the desires and goals of the large and diverse American population. And, regardless of all of the heterogeneity within society, the American Dream is generally a goal of all American peoples. In examining this idea, I began to think about the specific meanings attributed to the American Dream for different types of individuals. I broadly outlined the American Dream for myself, to represent the belief in hard work as a pathway to success and raising oneself in society. Consequently, this higher position in society allows for the possession of increased amounts of power. My definition however, neglects to take into account the certain other societal constructs that could possibly have a decisive role in how to both define and achieve the American Dream for the wide variety of people who pursue it.

That dream of a land in which life should be better and richer and fuller for everyone, with opportunity for each according to ability or achievement.”(quoted in “In Search of the American Dream”) For some, Truslow Adam’s definition of the American Dream leaves out the reality of how one’s socioeconomic status, on average, determines one’s wealth in American society. History shows that people born without certain privileges can’t ascend the figurative ladder to success with ease like their counterparts. Among these privileges were generational wealth and being White. A time when this was most evident was the 1920s: a time of mass spending, lavish lifestyles, and materialistic attitudes. Literary works like “In Search of the American Dream” by Jonas Clark, The Great Gatsby, by F. Scott Fitzgerald, and “One Christmas Eve” by Langston Hughes, show how the roaring culture of the 1920s caused an economic boom which widened the gap between the rich and the middle class, making it even more difficult for the majority of Americans to attain a sense of social and financial security. By the 1920s, the American Dream begins to lose its inclusive message and transform into an exclusive one in where one’s socioeconomic status mainly determines if one attains the Dream.

In 1931 James Truslow Adams published a book named ‘Epic of America’ in which he popularized the concept of The American Dream. In this book he stated “The American Dream is that dream of a land in which life should be better and richer and fuller for everyone, with opportunity for each according to ability or achievement…” and once that phrase was written, The American Dream became what we truly know it as nowadays. It is the right of freedom, prosperity, equality and pursuit of happiness through hard work. However, The American Dream is an ironic concept seeing as it never seems fully attainable. Although it is supposed to represent independence, liberty and the ability to make something of one’s self, most people nowadays find

The American Dream is a concept that is essentially older than the United States, dating back to the seventeenth century. It was then when people began to come up with hopes and aspirations for the newly discovered, unexplored continent. The “American Dream” is in essence the idea in that puts forward the notion that all people can succeed through hard work, that all people have the right to the pursuit of happiness, and be successful. The definition of the American Dream has been expanded upon and redefined over time. The concept of the American Dream has always been debated and put under criticism. There are many that believe the structure of American Society belies the idealistic goal of the American Dream. It points out examples of

The american dream is the ideal lifestyle that everyone is trying to reach. It is, by definition, the belief that everyone in the US has the chance to be successful and happy if they work hard (Cambridge,2018). The american dream came to be by Historian James Truslow Adams first popularizing the idea of the American dream in a book he wrote (Oeonline, 2018). In today’s day in age, the american dream is often perceived as a life where you work hard to put food

The American Dream is an idea that needs no introduction: it has been embedded into our minds since elementary school by our history textbooks, teachers, and parents. It’s an unwritten rule for many adults – keep the American Dream alive in our next generation. And why shouldn’t we? With all of the countless rags to riches stories bred through our county’s proud history, the American Dream becomes self-evident. America truly is the land of opportunity; so why are most of our poverty stricken citizens stuck at the bottom? Has the dream become a mere fantasy for the poor? One may say that it is possible for almost all poor Americans to climb the social hierarchy, but they unwilling to put in the effort necessary. While I do concede that it may be possible to climb the social ladder, I’d argue that the negative affect poverty has on work and mental health rig the system so that the opportunity simply does not exist for the poor.

The American Dream is being able to take part in your own life, being able to take care of yourself, being happy, to educate yourself so you are able to get a good, non degrading job. Money is important because you need to take care of yourself, and when you take care of yourself you will be happy.

The American Dream was originally defined by James Adams as “life should be better and richer and fuller for everyone, with opportunity for each according to ability and achievement, regardless of social class or circumstances of birth” (573).Throughout the years the American Dream has evolved due to economic downturns and detrimental government policies. The Great Gatsby by Fitzgerald and texts by Herbert, Thomas, and King expresses their notions on the American Dream and show how the different views and aspects of it as it has progressed over time. The American Dream consists of having equal opportunities, self-initiative, and achieving a higher standard of living.

The American Dream is no longer a dream; it is turning into a nightmare. The “American Dream” can be interpreted in many different ways. One of these many interpretations is the idea that one should graduate high school, go to college, get a good job, work there for forty to fifty years, start a 401k or an IRA, start a family, retire, and pick up a hobby like gardening or knitting. The American Dream is becoming a nightmare because it is no longer attainable; the top 1% of the population controls our country, the majority of the population is not financially educated, student loan debt is overwhelming this generation, and minorities have a harder time moving up the corporate ladder.

Fitzgerald demonstrates flashback through Jay Gatsby by associating him to self-identity and the American dream. The American Dream is known as a personal happiness and comforted by material things. Gatsby’s goal was to gain respect, to have a known reputation of wealth. He filled his days with big festive parties. Gatsby’s identity was once hidden, in his young days Gatsby did not know what he wanted to accomplish. When he was a teen he met a man named Dan Cody. He made Gatsby the man he became; he told him how to dress, and how to approach people. He taught Gatsby everything that he knew. Gatsby wasn’t looking to have a good time; he was looking for his true love, Daisy Buchanan. Gatsby dream would soon turn into a nightmare.

The American Dream has influenced the hopes and future of many Americans. One person’s dream will not be the same as another, because dreams are like snowflakes, there’s never two that are exactly alike. “... each person has the right to pursue happiness- not a self-indulgence, but as fair ambition and creative drive” (American RadioWorks- A Better Life). Many people may have a harder path to achieve their dream, but with hard work and their ability to freely pursue opportunity they will make a better life for themselves. In previous years there has been economic problems that may have impacted many people lives, for example the civil rights act, women’s rights, and gender equality. Many people still question if this concept is still available for everybody, if it was even real, and if it is will it exist for future generations. In this paper, it will help you understand the history and how it originated, American Dream in literature, complications and the interference that it may have, and the recurring question, is the American Dream dead or alive?

In her poem, “The American Dream,” anonymous poet Amy H. praises the American dream, claiming that we, as Americans, experience “heaven on Earth.” Amy H. does little to distinguish the American dream from the actual American reality. She proposes that all Americans, from those in“double-wide trailers to double-wide mansions,” are equal in our appreciation for the benefits of the American dream. Amy suggests that because of the prevalence of the this dream in our culture, that it has been achieved or implemented into reality. Amy H. claims that millions have made it more than a dream- she claims that it is a dream that has been realized. In her poem Amy writes, “It is the dream that wakes within us all.” Though the idea of the American dream is

White picket fence, a wife to come home to, kids. In the book, Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck, Steinbeck tells a story about a mentally challenged man named Lennie, who is taken care of by his best friend, George. The book takes place in the 1930’s and the two men have just begun working on a ranch. Throughout the book many events happen that teach valuable life lessons. Also, as the reader gets to know the characters more and more, the reader is able to realize that each character has their own dreams and aspirations for life. These dreams are used to resemble Steinbeck's opinions about the American dream. Therefore, Steinbeck proves that the American dream is unrealistic and unable to be achieved; this is proved through the dreams of

"The American Dream" has transformed into a no matter how you look at it term to delineate the American Way of Life with everything taken into account, be that as it may it is by far not that basic." The American Dream" constantly has something individual.

“The American Dream is a term that is often used but also often misunderstood. It isn’t really about becoming rich or famous. It is about things much simpler and more fundamental than that.” (“American Dream Quotes”). The American dream: a shining example to all peoples of what true success should be. Or is it? Americans will agree that since it’s conception, the American dream has changed dramatically. However, whether or not the dream has changed for the better is a matter of opinion. In order to discover more information about the American dream, it’s origins, and the state it is in today, I researched in depth the basic principals of the dream, and compared it to my own.