The American Dream

The American Dream is most commonly defined by the traditional social ideals of the US, which usually include money, status, material wealth, and democracy; the American Dream also includes the idea of the self-made man and how that hard work will pay off in the end. However, the definition of the American Dream is subjective to the individual defining it. In Into the Wild by Jon Krakauer, Christopher McCandless’ life depicts the usual definition of the American Dream through his family life and adolescence, while also showing that the typical definition does not satisfy every single person’s idea of happiness and success.

The forty-first president of the United States, George W. H. Bush, once said, “The American Dream means giving it your all, trying your hardest, accomplishing something…” As the years fly by, so does the American Dream. With busy lives, many Americans tend to forget the purpose of the American Dream. Failing to make ends meet, not being able to afford the new iPhone and the lack of success that is not America’s fault. People create their successes and failures based on what they desire. Through a person creating their own definition, not quitting once things go wrong, and creating opportunities the American Dream still floods the streets of America today.

Richard Nixon once stated “The American dream does not come to those who fall asleep”. If not for his words, I wouldn’t have realized the potential that lay within me. As of today I’ve achieved, in my own eyes, what’s come to be known as the American dream. During the past seven years, I’ve graduated from Washburn University, became a molecular biologist, and established a set of values that I live by.

The American Dream is something many Americans desire. The desire to the mind – set or belief that anyone can be successful if they worked hard for what they’ve been yearning. It is considered to be a ‘perfect life’; it can be full of money, contentedness or even love. There are many divergent opinions given by people. Walter Younger from Lorraine Hansberry’s ‘A Raisin in the Sun’ and Willy Loman from Arthur Miller’s ‘Death of the Salesman’ both have their own views on the American Dream and how it can be achieved. Walter Lee Younger, a

The phrase “The American Dream” is relatively old and has a long history, and although its ideas has changed tremendously throughout the centuries, it still holds great meaning behind it. It not only symbolizes financial success, but having the freedom to live independently. For some, living the American Dream means having justice, material possession, or just pursuing everlasting happiness. The new American Dream requires you to earn opportunity, and is has been more difficult for others based on their social standing, ethnicity, and race to obtain; as opposed to the past American Dream which involved optimism and hope for a better life. Each source clearly demonstrates the need for determination and willpower to overcome barriers and obstacles of life.

The American Dream has many variables in individuals from different backgrounds, depending on what they feel should be achieved. Many of us consider the American Dream evolves around us by what we’re advised to believe. However, the belief of beginning with nothing and ending with the hope of becoming someone has persuaded many people from around the world regardless of their background to migrate to America. Not to mention the obstacles that come along with their journey has assured us to be more conscious of the path we prefer to walk upon. Whether it’s short or long, is optional, since there are limited opportunities, with the growing population. The knowledge and understanding of the diversity around us should be noticed, and always taken

The American Dream is the belief that anyone, regardless of a person’s birthplace and class, can gain their idea of success in a country where mobility is possible for everyone. Working hard and pushing forward can lead to the wonders and triumphs of life. The idea of The American Dream has changed over the years, once representing a successful life through hard work, but now representing a person’s “entitlement” and belief that they deserve the easy way out just because they are American.

Humans often make goals to reach an exhilarated state. When a goal becomes too hard to obtain and when too many people fail to reach this goal, society digresses. The American Dream is the national ethos of the United States that was created in 1931. It is a set of principles in which prosperity and success can be achieved through hard work and the right ethics. However, over the years, the “car has stopped.” This so-called “dream” is running low and slowly turning into a fantasy. With the exploitation of an over-powering government and the reforms of education heading in the wrong direction, the American Dream is running low and is on its way to extinction.

When discussing the topic of the American dream, most citizens readily agree that the vision of the original dream is adapting to modern standards and habits of society today. The original dream created during the Great Depression symbolized the image of the lifestyle all people wished to obtain to consider themselves ‘successful.’ The initial vision spread across the globe, bringing new immigrants, ideas and innovation to ‘The Land of Opportunity.’ Where this agreement usually ends, however, is on the question of the values and qualities that define the American dream. Where some believe that the dream evolved to meet the needs of our ever changing country, others contend that the same values still apply today as they did two hundred years

Throughout different era’s and periods of time the American dream has slightly varied, but the ultimate end goal remains the same; based on independence, a need for freedom, and the ability and desire to achieve greatness in one’s lifetime

The American Dream is created by a person achieving happiness, fulfilling life goals, and prospering through hard work and determination. It changes throughout history, mainly through how media and society pursue the Dream to be. The structure of today’s society has warped the meaning of it, and placed a different direction behind the whole concept. The Dream itself is still alive, but the cynical twist to it could make most doubt the existence of what it really means.

In the current times, those of political and social unrest, many query the state of the American dream. One cannot help but wonder where the dream stands, the options being, is it dead or alive? However, since its insertion, the “American Dream” symbolizes contradiction rather than equal opportunity.

“The American Dream is a set of ideals which promotes success and social mobility through means of hard work and dedication.” (Morgan Finkeldey). Morgan Finkeldey, a journalist for “The Current”, explains how the American Dream can be a cause of contemplation in

Defining the American Dream is a difficult task, because the dream is different for each person you ask. The stereotypical American Dream is a well-off, middle class family, living in the suburbs of America. However looking at modern day society, that dream has split into multiple different hopes, as middle class has become increasingly large, and coincidently, increasingly vague. It can no longer be defined as just being “middle class” because middle class can mean a family with well-paying jobs, no student loans, good credit, and a decent handicap at the local country club. However it can also mean a family with divorced parents, in a broken home, with multiple entry-level jobs, outstanding loans, no healthcare, and barely making ends

“The American Dream is that vision of a land in which life may be better and more productive for each person”, James Truslow Adams. For many people the American dream is to come to USA and start a new life. However, I had not analyzed this thought until I faced the situation of choosing whether to come to this magnificent, flourishing country or stay close to my loved ones. As a recent graduate the decision was not easy; I had to take into consideration some parameters in order to make that decision. Soon after, I realized how the well-known phrase “American Dream” changed my notions of freedom, new opportunities, solidarity and acceptance.