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The American Dream By Dave Eggers

Satisfactory Essays

Dave Eggers, author of A Hologram for the King, Heroes of the Frontier and The Circle, among many other books, often comments on the American dream. Eggers believes that the American dream has changed over time, and is no longer an achievable goal. The American dream was initially the ideal of each man and women being able to reach their full potential and have equal opportunities (Amadeo). Yet this ideal slowly morphed into the necessity of owning a house and having a happy, prosperous family. In order to achieve this, people have tried to force themselves into unhappy marriages, spend money they can 't afford to lose and change others actions in order to help their own selves. The American dream was for people during a time of …show more content…

In his old age, he realizes he will never have the organized life he wanted, and while he hopes for the best he know he must expect the worst. This ability to brag is what Eggers argues drives the quest for the American dream, and he argues that it does not bring true content. Another example of Clay’s need to fulfill the dream was his creation of bicycles. As he created bicycles, he believed selling them was what could make him rich. Yet this was not the case, because as the world became more technology based, he was sticking to the old ways of life. A bicycle is often a symbol of freedom, as it provides the freedom to go wherever whenever. As Alan attempts to create a new and improved bicycle, he is trying to enhance the old way of life, and has not yet comprehended that the old way of life has changed, and if he wants to prosper he must change with it. This again is a comment on the evolution of the American dream and how people are trying to control things they no longer can. Clay tries so hard to be a business owner in order to be successful, but has never found what his true passion is. This leads him to a very unhappy life with many health problems, similar as to many others in the world. Another extreme view of the American dream is forcing equality. In The Circle, Mae Holland begins working at the Circle, a company that uses technology to be able to share everything everyone

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