Life's Dream: A Personal Story

Ben began working for his father and was bored quickly. Ben had a strong interest for everything and he wanted to learn and know it all. He tried other work options but none of which panned

The American dream, for most people, is exactly that – A dream. It’s make believe, fiction. It’s what we think American should be like, not what it actually is. The American dream will always be out of reach for common people. The majority of people I interviewed said something along the lines of, “the American dream is to be given a chance to do something or be something you want to be.” This opinion seems to be too optimistic. Everyone wants more than what they have. It’s not enough to be given the chance, you have to succeed. What it takes to succeed is an entirely different aspect of the American dream.

American poet Archibald Macleish once stated, “There are those who will say that the liberation of humanity, the freedom of man and mind is nothing but a dream. They are right. It is the American Dream.”  The concept of the American dream is the potential for hard-working individuals to prosper and conquer one's goal where they weren’t able to in other places. The novel, “The Great Gatsby” by Scott Fitzgerald and the short story, “Negocios by Junot Diaz refer to characters that are dedicated to overcoming poverty and achieving what they believed was the American dream. The main characters in each text, Papi and Gatsby are making their life’s mission to better themselves for love and affluence. Both characters are allied in the idea that they are trying to pursue the American dream, but while Gatsby personifies this desire through Daisy and wealth, Papi epitomizes the aspiration of economic stability by coming to the United States.

He has had a great impact on me and a million more people. His story has taught me to never give up and fight for what I aspire. His father walked out on him at the age of 8. Through phases of heartbreak, violence and financial struggle, his mother, Sonya Carter, who was also battling depression provided for Ben and his brother. She taught them that education will change their lives for the better. And it did. After being called dummy uncountable times and thinking he was one, he discovered, with his mother’s help, that with reading he could control his future. Within the space of a year and a half he went from the bottom of the class to the top of the

The two books, “On her own ground” which is the life of Madam C.J. Walker, and “The fish that ate the whale” based on Samuel Zemurray did an excellent job of illuminating the tensions and possibilities of the American dream during the 19th and 20th century in America. The American dream was what helped bring so much rich diversity and culture to the country in 19th through 20th century and even today, the American dream is broadly defined as an ideal that everyone has the equal opportunity to achieve success in the United States. Samuel Zemurray and Madam C.J. Walker are two similar but also different tales of how one has the opportunity to become successful in America regardless of who you are and where you come from they experienced the dream and are now two known business figures who are depicted as successful, and hard working in their biographies by their respective biographers.

I was born in Fort Worth, Texas, a city where I realized being an American is an unbelievable blessing to have in your life. I would have to thank my mother for risking her life, and having the courage to move to the United States when she was only eighteen. Without her courage I would be living a completely different life right now. The opportunities one has as an American are shocking. Many Americans do not realize how fortunate they are in this country, with the Public school system,and job opportunities. Other countries do not have access to these things so easily; one would have to be quite wealthy to receive these essentials. The opportunities I am able to receive through this country makes me proud I was made in the USA.

Discrimination against a person based on their race is one of the main causes in preventing one from having a fair opportunity to achieve the American Dream. Philip Deutsch writes “blacks are twice as likely to be poor compared to other races, and eight times as likely to be imprisoned. Only 75 percent of blacks have received post-high school education, compared to 85 percent of whites. Not surprisingly, blacks on average also make less money than whites” (“The American Dream is Still”). These facts, shocking but true, go to prove the point that a persons race affects what opportunities they may have and what things they will be able to achieve. Blacks are, genetically, equivalent to whites, however they are harshly discriminated against

Standing in front of the perfect ‘American Dream' house with a white picket fence decorated for Christmas. Light up snowmen and reindeer, lights on the edges of the house. A nativity set in the corner of the yard almost forgotten about but still there. "Man, Ana. I can feel the evil pagan vibes just rolling off this place." Liz laughs as she walks up the front steps. Knocking on the doors, they are meet by a middle- aged woman in a Christmas sweater. The smell of cookies came from inside of the house, Liz looked at Ana real quick before she continued, "Good afternoon, Mrs. Johnson the meadowsweet maker?" Liz asks with a giant grin. "Why yes, I am!" Mrs. Johnson replies. "Wow, awesome. We were admiring your wreaths the other day at the Watson's

Ben was born and raised in South America. Since he was born in South America, he communicated with Spanish as a kid. When he was a kid, he was teased because of racial issues. He also didn’t really like writing when he was little. He only started reflecting of becoming an author when he was in college.

    A family rule I had growing up was that you were not aloud to get your ears pierced until you were eight years old. I wanted my ears pierced so badly. I used to wear fake earrings to school all the time. I didn’t know much about ear piercings, other than the fact that I felt so grown up when I wore earrings. All I knew was that someone would use a special tool, I would feel a pinch, and then BAM! I would be a grown up in no time. I remember my eighth birthday felt like an eternity away. I could hardly contain my excitement when it was finally just around the corner.

From all over the world, people immigrate to America for the American Dream: freedom, rights, and limitless opportunities found nowhere else. These individuals are welcomed with a convergence of new ideas such as well settled families, work opportunities, and the chance for a position in society. The collective idea of “the land of opportunities”, inspired my father almost two decades ago to indulge these possibilities, and step foot into the United States of America.

Everyone’s “American Dream” differs depending on their ages and abilities. No one can limit the things you think are the American Dream. Michael Jones, Gavin Free, and Burnie Burns are three men that represent that the American Dream is alive and achievable.

The American Dream can be described as someone starting at the bottom of the social or economic ladder and working hard towards prosperity, wealth and fame. By having money, a car, a big house, nice clothes and a happy family symbolizes the true American dream. This dream also represents that people, no matter who he or she is, can become successful in life by his or her own work. The majority of people pursue the American Dream for themselves, their families and their legacy. Several years ago the American Dream represented getting ahead and become everything that our parents’ generation were not able to do. Perhaps, because of the great depression, poor economy, wars, and unemployment, as well as older generations working longer hours to

I think you had this pegged right it was the American Dream The premises of this nation’s wealth and social status have always been desired and worshiped. The non-wealthy white population wanted to be part of the elite. To be a slave owner with power and wealth was a status symbol that many had but strived for. A maneuver form the wealth elite planters was to suppress the few that did have slaves by supporting that strong culture of racism in order to maintain their 5% control.

In conclusion, there is no American Dream. While you may believe in the chance of living the life you’ve always wanted, the American Dream is dead. The American Daydream was born, taking place in our lives, taunting us with promises of a great life and plenty of cool gadgets. With the daydream taking over, Americans are finding it harder and harder to live the life they’ve always dreamed of, becoming sad and lost. Too many people spend their days working until they drop, being rewarded with a small paycheck. At the same time this is occuring, others are finding it hard to make it off the streets at night, spending night after night on a park bench, or hidden under a box in some back alley. The only way to change that is if we work together.