The Myth Of The American Dream

The term “ The American Dream” can be coined to historian James Truslow Adams in the early 1930’s. Adams believed that the true commitment for the American society was based of material success that was obtained by individual competition of the citizens. Furthermore, stating that the American citizens had been conditioned to desire success, with an honest belief that it was possible for one to achieve it. This was possible because the very principles that American society represented, helped each and every citizen believe that they were on the land of opportunity and that it was possible for them to pursue their chosen venture that could reasonably attain their dream of material wealth and status.

Throughout history America has been the arriving place of immigrants searching for a better life. America is perceived as the land were endless opportunities are available. The greatest explanation of the American dream is Martin Luther King, Jr. speech; I Have a Dream. Dr. King speech is more like a testimony of truth, rather than a speech. At the time of his speech African Americans were not free, while the Declaration of Independence states that all men are created equal. Dr. King’s movement established the way for the idea that there is an American dream. The idea that somebody can be anything they would like to be. This idea is still relevant now in America. Americans pursue their dream everyday by having the opportunity to attend

The American Dream is a concept that is essentially older than the United States, dating back to the seventeenth century. It was then when people began to come up with hopes and aspirations for the newly discovered, unexplored continent. The “American Dream” is in essence the idea in that puts forward the notion that all people can succeed through hard work, that all people have the right to the pursuit of happiness, and be successful. The definition of the American Dream has been expanded upon and redefined over time. The concept of the American Dream has always been debated and put under criticism. There are many that believe the structure of American Society belies the idealistic goal of the American Dream. It points out examples of

The idea of the universal American Dream expressed in the essays, “Paradox and Dream”, by Nobel prize winning author John Steinbeck, Time’s Jon Mechon’s 2012 article, “Keeping the Dream Alive”, and sociology professor, Ruth Sidel’s essay, “The New American Dreamers”, from her book On Her Own: Growing Up in the Shadow of American Dreams, is that if Americans work hard enough, they will reach a point of total security and comfort. All authors seem to also agree that this dream is a myth. (EXPAND) The American Dream is no longer realistically achievable for the majority of Americans because of the ever growing gap between classes and the illusion of equal opportunity.

America is known as a country full of opportunity and freedom, where anybody can come and have a fair chance at achieving the desired goal commonly referred to as “The American Dream.” James Truslow Adams describes The American Dream as a “Dream of a land in which life should be better and richer and fuller for everyone, with opportunity for each according to ability or achievement” (Adams 214-215). Certain people, however, more easily achieve this Dream than others, even though America prides itself on being the land of “freedom” and “equality.” The truth about how American society is as diverse and wonderful as many others see it is false. According to the United States Census Bureau, people of color are twice as likely to be poor compared to the white population and eight times as likely to be imprisoned not to mention how people of color on average make less money than whites because they are less likely to get good jobs. One’s race, sexual orientation, social status, gender and even health all determine the chance a person has to achieve this American Dream. This is not to say that the dream of success and money is unattainable for certain people within these minority groups, but that it is just incredibly difficult to achieve when one is faced with certain obstacles that privileged Americans do not have to overcome. This struggle is very apparent in John

The term “American Dream”, popularized by a freelance writer by the name of James Truslow Adams in 1931, is used to describe the idea that the United States is the land of prosperity, which any man can work hard and gain wealth and happiness without the fear of a controlling government. It is thought that the everyone has equal opportunities and can become successful as they please, as long as they work for it. The American dream is more of a goal that every American, or someone who wants to be American, has in order to achieve what that want to be, or where they want to be, in their life.

        Over the years immigrants have come to America in hopes of achieving their dreams and finding success. But is America really what it’s thought to be? Can their American  dream become a reality?  Everyone in America has the dream of achieving success and wealth through their own hard work and determination. But due to the vicious cycle of poverty most are unable to achieve their American Dream.  The cycle of poverty in America is affected by many factors including racism, high cost of living,    education, and mental disability/illness.

The American dream, an essential part of our lifestyles, the American dream, the determination of all Americans, the American dream, a fantasy that is almost impossible to achieve. We're currently the only first world country with third world wealth distribution (Reich), and thanks to the great recession of 2008 which lingers on to this day, and we may never reach wealth equality. Due to a myriad of factors involving the great recession, the wealth gap grew almost exponentially. And although some might say that prosperity is possible for all Americans, there is evidence that proves otherwise. Furthermore, the American dream is unattainable for a majority of Americans as the wealth gap continues to grow.

The American dream has been around for many generations. Apparently it appeared for the first time in history in a history book by James Truslow Adams entitled The Epic of America published in 1931, in the book he says: “But there has been also the American dream, that dream of a land in which life should be better and richer and fuller for every man, with opportunity for each according to his ability or achievement.” Adams believed that in America if one works hard and never gives they will be affluent and prosper. However in this day and age is the American dream really an achievable dream? Signs sadly seem to be pointing to no.

The American dream is a term used in a lot of ways. However, it revolves around the thought that anyone living in the US can achieve something coupled with the possibility of lead a happy and successful life. The dream has been an aim for the majority of the individuals who reside in the land of America that gives them hope of the future. The definition of the term has expanded to incorporate freedom, achievement and meaningful relationships.

“The American Dream” is a phrase coined by James Truslow Adams in 1931 in his book The Epic of America. It is nothing more than a simple three-word phrase, and yet within it is the history of a nation birthed from the dream where everyone will have equal opportunity to rise from the bottom to the top. There have been many examples of these instances and those who have achieved their dreams are heralded as heroes, with many— most often fictional— movies and books written about their success. However, such is not always the case. Many have died trying to achieve their dreams and still have not seen the fruit of their labors. It is also with great consideration that one thinks about the possibility of there being more than one “American Dream”.

The idea of the “American Dream” was first used in the book The Epic of America, written by James Truslow Adams, in 1931. Adams stated that the American Dream is, “the dream of a land in which life should be better and richer and fuller for everyone, with opportunity for each according to ability or achievement…(31) “. The key elements of the American Dream include: access to a college education, owning a home, enjoying political freedom and being economically independent (Clinton American Dream Initiative 3). Every newly arrived immigrant believes that with hard work he or she will achieve all or most of the elements of the American Dream. The fundamental thesis of the

The idea of the American Dream can be first traced back to a book called The Epic of America by author James Truslow, where he states, “The American Dream is that dream of a land in which life should be better, richer and fuller for everyone, with opportunity for each according to ability or achievement.” This idea of better opportunity really summarizes the goal of many early American immigrants as they traveled from faraway lands in hopes of a better future. Many would say this idea of prosperity is the American Dream; a better place for everyone’s own success, however, success is largely dependent on individual skill and ability. As we look more in depth of the idea of the American Dream, we notice the flaws within itself both

Imagine a land where capitalism flourishes and the individual has total control over his hard earned dollar. A land where he can work his way to the top with no limits, with the atmosphere to lavish in the ostentatious lifestyle. This picture seems to paint the American dream; however, why is it that so many Americans today are struggling just to survive? One day to the next is a paralyzing plethora of bills, inflating food prices, and medical expenses. The principle of the American dream that states anyone and everyone has the opportunity to achieve economic greatness is overtly false. How can any nation boast economic superiority and prosperity when the top 1% of the population, on average, generates more than 25 times the annual income of the bottom 99% AND over 15.1% of the population lives in poverty! The bottom line is economic inequality is one of the largest issues Americans face today and drastic measures need to be taken to start work on alleviating this crisis. The United States isn’t the only country in the world who is suffering from this issue either. Many first-world countries are also struggling with rising unemployment rates, as well as people falling into poverty. It is how a country chooses to reduce this issue that is crucial.

In “Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry”, Cassie Logan is a nine year old protagonist and through her view, her family and the black community’s view, the idea of the American dream is depicted. This- I believe- has a resemblance to Martin Luther King’s “I have a dream” speech in a way. I opted to write this essay to explore these rather profound similarities, not only that, but also to find the consequences of a shared American dream in the 1930s compared to the present and how it is portrayed in literature, particularly by Mildred D. Taylor and Martin Luther King Jr. To begin with, it cannot be repudiated that the American dream has a sparingly substantial role in the lives of Americans and in people fond of America, it is in all likelihood the reason people are in schools and some migrating into the United States of America pushing to their personal parameters to lead prosperous lives. However, exactly what is the American dream?