The American Dream

The "American Dream" is marked as unattainable in John Steinbeck's novella Of Mice and Men. This is mostly shown in the case of George, Lennie, Candy, Crooks, and Curley's wife. These characters all have admitted to thinking about the "American dream" concept, and the freedom to pursue happiness and their dreams.

“The purpose of human life is to serve, and to show compassion and the will to help others.” (brainyquote.com/quotes/albert_schweitzer). Service and compassion are American qualities that are vital to a person’s inalienable right to pursue happiness as set out in the Constitution. Yet when society lacks these basic behaviors, the American Dream is unattainable. John Steinbeck’s classic novel, Of Mice and Men, incorporates various characters which create sympathy in readers, characters such as Lennie, Curley’s wife, and Crooks.

Ever wondered what it is like to be truly free, safe, or have a true friendship? In the 1930s, people constantly asked themselves this question, as they traveled the country in search for work. In the novella, Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck, George Milton and Lennie Small are in search of a new job to provide a steady income. An inspiration that always keeps them on track, and something to look forward to is the American Dream where they will own land, and have truly achieved freedom. In the real and cruel world, can one especially as unfortunate as George and Lennie really accomplish the freedom, safety and friendship of the American Dream? Throughout the story the reader sees many people who want

The American Dream is different for every person. The term “American Dream” is defined as “a happy way of living that is thought of by many Americans as something that can be achieved by anyone in the U.S. especially by working hard and becoming successful, With good jobs, a nice house, two children, and plenty of money, they believed they were living the American dream.” (webster)Now, in the definition you may notice this keyword “anyone”. Anyone? Really? Even those that are homeless and broke? The american dream is not possible becuase of two reasons. One people no longer want to work for the stuff they want, two the cost of a lot of stuff now a days is outrageous. So, is the american dream still

Many people have different ideas of what the "American Dream" is and what it takes to make it a reality. The most common and the most accurate idea of the American Dream is for all to have the opportunity to have a chance at living a nice life. This includes all immigrants and anyone else who seems to lack better opportunities often. "The American Dream is the belief that anyone, regardless of race, class, gender, or nationality, can be successful in America (read:rich) if they just work hard enough" (Wulick). The American Dream is also influenced by those that have money and are successful. These people are looked up to as a goal when it comes to a better life. The American dream also includes overall happiness that stems from a

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

The American Dream is known as a dream where people can come to America to be whatever they want and succeed in life. Lorraine Hansberry author of A Raisin in the Sun wrote her paper with a form of The American Dream in the story because everyone in the story manages to have a dream to be somebody or have something. The best thing about the American Dream is that most of the time people succeed and learn a lesson after the all the hard work you do to make your dream become real all that is “...requires is hard work.” (The American Dream).

The difference in economic levels between the lower income and the higher income has increased over the years. Therefore, the American Dream is becoming more unobtainable as the inequality increases. Poor income high school students with high entrance exam scores are opting for places such as community colleges instead of higher ranking schools. Since well-off people are marrying people just as well-off, they have the resources to support their kids with time and money. Those whom were raised in the upper class are likely to stay there as they have more support from their parent along with money to invest in their future. Low-income parents tend to be less involved with their children’s education, as they are trying to pay the bills. Some of

People from all over the world migrate to the Unites States of America in hopes of living out the “American Dream.” Most do not realize, however, that the “American Dream” is perhaps only meant to be lived out by stereotypical, hetersosexual, Caucasian Americans. Charlotte Perkins Gilman, a scholar, writer and a 25 year member of the American Sociologist Society, would argue that the “American Dream” in and of itself is extremely gendered.

Some may wonder if the old version of the American Dream (owning a home, starting a family, etc.) is still alive and well with Millennials in today’s age. With technology and the constant changing of how the world is viewed, it’s hard to say. Or is it? Being a realtor and a Millennial, I can certainly say that the American Dream is still alive and well. In fact, a good part of the Millennial group is starting to get into this dream earlier than their predecessors did. I, myself, bought my first home when I was nineteen years of age. Maybe most aren’t quite that young, but typically I have a slew of clients that are looking to own a home, as opposed to renting, that are of the Millennial age group. You’d be surprised to find that the

Dan Rather, a journalist and news anchor for the CBS Evening News states that “[a] college degree is the key to realizing the American dream, well worth the financial sacrifice because it is supposed to open the door to a world of opportunity.” There are many different paths to the American Dream. Two paths that people can use to reach the American dream are to go straight to a university after high school or transferring to a university after two years at a community college. The main differences in going to a university and transferring to a university from a community college to reach the American dream are campus life, cost, and graduation/transfer rates.

The American dream is something everyone has a different opinion of. It has changed over time and has been the topic of many songs, poems, and books. The American dream started out with immigrants coming over to America with the hope of new opportunities and a better life, which America had offered. America offered equal opportunity for everyone and the dream began. Although many Americans dreams differ because of personal experience, the American Dream is getting to the place where you are the happiest.

For the past few decades, the American Dream has been the acquisition of material objects, a perfect family, house in the suburbs with a white picket fence, and a secure job that brought financial security. This pursuit began after World War II, when the United States became the “land of opportunity” and for many people this “dream” became reality. However, as the United States economy grew tremendously, the American Dream transformed into greed and inequality. According to Nick Smith, the author of “Poverty, Money, and Happiness”, believes the American Dream is failing and the quest for individual wealth should not be a priority

John’s ship finally arrived in New York and he was exhausted. He and his family had to come to America because of the potato famine that was happening back home in Ireland. The first thing he had to do was find a place to live at with his family; he realized that the decent houses and apartments were out of his budget. He only had money for the crowded and unhygienic apartments, if they could be called that. After John picked a “room” out, he went to go look for jobs. While he was out looking for work, he noticed people eyeing him strangely and signs saying “No Irish Need Apply”. The only type of jobs he could get were the low-paying ones. But he was desperate, so he took them. The workplace looked filthy and dangerous. John wondered if he would ever be able to move up in the economic ladder, he believed in the “American Dream”. Unfortunately, he never did because if he asked for a raise, he would be fired immediately because other immigrants would have taken the job with lower pay. This was the life of an Irish immigrant immigrating to America during the famine era. The Great Famine forced a countless number of Irish people to immigrate to the United States, where they suffered from poverty and discrimination. Despite all this, the Irish were able to assimilate and reshape American culture through politics and religion.

What makes people who have the difference backgrounds succeed or failure? The vast number of immigrants who see America as the promised land and those who born in the country are driven by the American Dreams and share the faith in the unwritten definition of the American dream: Those who work hard and play by the rules have an equal chance to succeed. Society realized the achievement of the American dream by home ownership and being better than one’s parents were. While some repudiate and abandon that such dream is obtainable in the twentieth century, Brandon King, a law student at Indiana University who wrote “The American Dream: Dead, Alive, or on Hold?” insists that the American dream still exists and pursuable. King points out that people who are more careful about their spending and seek for the secure job can achieve their big dreams and maintain a sustained lifestyle. Equally important, many researchers conduct the study the term of the American dream and how to pursue it. Research proves that the American dream is still alive and achievable when people practice self-development, have the right attitude, work smart instead of work hard.