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Homeownership In The Great Gatsby

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The American Dream has been the motivation for millions of people over two centuries. At its roots, what really defines the American Dream? Everyone will have their own answer for that question, and that is part of the beauty of the American Dream. Each person can have their own agenda and their own dreams and goals. The Dream is constantly changing, adapting to the needs and requests of society as technology and medicine make rapid advancements. However, in the midst of the change and adaptation, one point seems to persevere as an important part of the American Dream: buying a nice house and raising a family. This theme is even pervasive through some of the readings from the past month. It is seen in The Great Gatsby in Gatsby’s efforts to …show more content…

In fact, “During the last ten years, the nation’s rate of homeownership has steadily fallen from nearly 70 percent down to just over 64 percent” (Romerdahl). Homeownership has been seemingly inseparable from the American Dream, yet statistics are now showing that less people are interested in owning a home. Until recently, government intervention has been raising the percentages of homeowners in the US, but percentages have been steadily falling even with lower interest rates and continued effort from the government. This evidences that not only is the American Dream changing, but it is not clearly defined in the first …show more content…

Some may reason that the cause of this decrease in homeownership is a result of rising prices of housing, or blame heavy debts such as student loans. Meanwhile, others may believe the fast paced lifestyle of today does not allow for one to buy a house and settle down for life without some circumstance driving them to move to a different location. These all remain factors in the reduction of homeowners over the past decade, but the question still remains if these are the only factors. Perhaps today’s generation prefers the high density living and atmosphere offered by apartments, while previous generations prefered a more tight knit but small community. Modern living also often involves plenty of uncontrollable events, so it is sometimes necessary to give way in order to be successful in the long run.
The bottom line is that “Everybody’s situation is unique. For some, housing is simply a form of shelter. For others, it is the heart of their family or a symbol of safety and stability” (Romerdahl). Although some people may adhere to the traditional American Dream of buying a nice house and raising a family, others may prefer a more free spirited approach to life and enjoy the freedom of not being tied to a house. Many may consider home to be where they enjoy being rather than a house they

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