The American Dream : The True Definition Of The American Dream

It’s funny how much the so-called “American Dream” has changed so much throughout the years and the many definitions the American Dream has. For some it is only a dream but, why is that? Who is unable to achieve this dream? Why aren't they able to achieve this goal? Gender, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, these and many more hindrances don't allow people to achieve their version of the American dream stereotypes and racism which play a huge role in today’s society don't allow them to reach this goal.

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).

Set during the gruelling Great Depression of the 1930’s, John Steinbeck’s touching novella Of Mice and Men focuses on the working class of America and two men, George Milton and Lennie Small, as they work on a ranch in hopes of owning their own land. Set in the dusty town of Soledad, California, Steinbeck’s classic characters offer a parable about what it means to be human. George and Lennie's ambition of owning their own ranch, and the obstacles that stand in the way of that ambition, reveal the impossibility of the American Dream, while the loneliness and isolation of the members of the ranch offer a true insight into the nature of human existence, especially when the weaknesses of the characters cause them to destroy those more

For generations homeownership has been viewed as one of the cornerstones of the American dream. Nevertheless this American dream has almost exclusively been available to white Americans. However, over the past 25 years this dream has become a reality for more and more Americans as the rise of the subprime mortgage market has allowed the majority of Americans to become homeowners. In 2005, at the peak of the housing bubble, 69.2% of Americans seemed to have achieved the American dream of owning their homes. Three years later, the housing bubble popped and the American economy entered the most severe economic downturn since the Great Depression. The downturn was largely caused by the implosion of the subprime mortgage market whose growth was driven, in part, by the belief that homeownership is a right that all Americans are entitled to as part of the American dream. The perpetuation of this belief is dangerous to the United States economy because homeownership has for so long been unobtainable for the majority of non-white Americans, as one of the only paths to this American dream for many minorities is through high-risk home loans that threaten the stability of the economy.

If the American Dream is defined as owning a house, like one of those two-story, four-bedroom, and white picket fence houses, or even a one -story, two-bedroom, chain-fenced yard, then no, I could not say with a strong conviction that this the dream that exists in the hearts of all Millenials.

The American dream, the once great aspiration for all red white and blue ruffians regardless of background- racial or economical- has always existed with a degree of falsehood- at least for the majority of Americans. In times of great crisis it has been rallied behind, serving the communal need to move forward for something, anything . But despite protecting it, from harsh winters and gunfire, from powers foreign and abroad, this faux hope has done little for even the best citizens of this great nation. The American Dream is an almost entirely false promise, whilst some still have a decent shot at this alluring American golden ticket, immigrants, people of color, the poor, to them it seems to have always been out of reach.

In today’s society the American Dream still exist. People see the United States as the country of the opportunities. Many immigrants come to the United States for a better living which their country do not provide them. The American Dream ideals for a better education, freedom, and religion.

Is the American dream still achievable? Striving for wealth, power, and recognition has been one of the top americans priorities since the founding of the nation. Americans were raised to believe that hard work and effort secure their future of financially successful. However, the entrenched belief in the American dream has been undermined in recent decades. According to Carl Jung’s ideas and the documentary are suggested that the destruction of the dream is not a natural, inexorable occurrence, but the result of the choices made by people operating within certain belief systems and for self-enrichment. Although Carl Jung was not dispassionate, he was more intent on exploring the reasons why the American dream is dead. He mentioned that

The American Dream: a concept known by all, but deciphered distinctly throughout time. Coined by historian James Truslow Adams in his book The Epic of America, the term "American Dream" was explained as the "dream of a land in which life should be better and richer and fuller for everyone . . ." (214). People immigrated to America from all over the world in order to enhance their circumstances and eventually achieve this idealistic vision. However, realism has shattered the American Dream, revealing an illusion of an optimal life that has misled a myriad of people.

What once was a small box of white crayons is now an olympic-sized swimming pool full of every color and shade imaginable. The United States of America houses almost every ethnic group on earth, and it is more diverse than it has ever been. The funny thing is, the American Dream has not changed since it was first coined in 1931 by writer James Truslow Adams. He brilliantly describes it as “a dream of social order in which each man and each woman shall be able to attain to the fullest stature of which they are innately capable, and be recognized by others for what they are, regardless of the fortuitous circumstances of birth or position"(Columbia University). It is this dream itself that attracts and lures people from every corner. The American people do not change this dream, but the dream draws close the people that wish to attain it. Adams specifies that the dream is not achieving the height of fame or wealth, but rather that each person arrives at the destination they always hoped to arrive. The Millennial generation is neither abandoning Adam’s American dream nor changing it- they are bringing it back to it’s original meaning. Millennials are buying homes less than previous generations because they have seen the devastating effects of marital hardship, not the Great Recession.

In the middle of the ocean there is a cruise ship named The American Dream where money is abundant and education is vast. A handful of people are born on the cruise ship. They did not have to work to get there but enjoy all the benefits that are offered. Perhaps 200 people are born on sailboats or yachts. They have the necessary recourses to get to the cruise ship with a bit of hard work and some time. Several thousands of people are born on the shore. Those privileged to live nearest to the ocean are given row boats and life vests are sold to a lucky few. They must then row out to sea without sails or engines. The riptides and harsh storms cause most to return to shore. Marginalized people living furthest from the ocean must build their own

When you hear someone say, “that person is living the American Dream,” what is your first initial thought? Growing up in the late 90’s early 2000’s, whenever I heard someone say that they are living the American Dream, I always thought of it as a perfect family. I imagined that the husband was the breadwinner for the family who provided and supported his family, which he had a beautiful wife, along with two well-behaved, and respectful children. I pictured the woman staying at home raising the children, having the house cleaned and having a small part time job if she wanted. When you heard, people speaking about them you heard how close of a family they were and how much they loved being with each other, it would be as though they were living a perfect life. No one put this thought in my mind and no one ever explained this to me, I was always raised that the man should be the man of the house, provide and protect his family, while the wife is the typical wife.

Only in America can someone start with nothing and achieve the American Dream. That is the greatness of this country, according to Rafael Cruz.America is place for people to achieve their dream; however, not all people that see the disillutionment of the American Dream. The Youngers are example of the people who see the disillutioned of the American dream when Mr.Lindner and Mrs.Johnson try to stop them to moved in to Clybourne Park, then Willy ran off with the money,and see their family fall apart.

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.

Since the day I was born, the 4th of July was always a big part of my life. Every year since 2003, my family and I would gather with food and fireworks by a river and celebrate this day that has changed the lives of millions. The tradition still runs in my family to this day, making it one of the most unforgettable days of the year. Recently I have learned the true, deep meaning behind this date that has always brought so much joy. The 4th of July was the day that our rights were settled into a document, making it the birth certificate of our country in 1776, spreading freedom and a chance for success for every human being that lived within its borders. My life has been and will continue to be impacted by the American Dream because it continues to pave the path that I want for my life with nothing to get in my way.