money and class in america Essay example

The idea of the American dream revolves around attaining happiness, success and equality. For higher wealth classes obtaining these components aren't a concern; but for many, the American Dream has become a nightmare. For the poor being able to obtain simple necessities such as food, clothing and shelter is a daily struggle. The price of being poor is a lot costlier then those in the realm of the wealthy. Based on the current economic and social systems in America it does not provide everyone with a fair chance to achieve the “American Dream”. In todays society many Americans believe money is the only way to happiness. True or not true, money certainly isn't a hindrance to obtaining the necessary components for survival. But if the American Dream is no longer about happiness and freedom it becomes solely about wealth and possession. "Money cannot buy happiness." (Anonymous, Spring Board pg.81) represents the concept that money doesn't necessarily play apart in your emotional well-being. Today, materialism is more important than character. Money isn't everything; you don't need it to be happy and certainly not to achieve "The American Dream". In addition to that, although money can jump-start your future it can also drive you into the ground. Dana Gioia, the author of "Money", says "...Money holds heads above water..." Implying money plays a crucial part in keeping your dreams alive while America demands so much. Although finances are a building block to ones version of the

Money— sweeter than honey but oh so destructive. It facilitates a man’s life, while a lack of it imprisons him in the streets of penury. It raises his social status, while an absence of it leaves him unnoticed. It gives him an aura of superiority and importance among others, while a deficiency of it makes him worthless in society’s eyes. Considering these two roads, most do not take more than a second to decide to chase riches.

In addition to new freedoms arrives the idea that one can make as much money as he or she desires. If those methods were to include educational scholarships or a job, money is always available. Dana Gioia’s “Money” poem makes the statement, “Money breeds money” (69). In the minds of the America

There is no better example of an accomplished American dreamer, persevering through economic hardships than that of the characters in The Great Gatsby. Gatsby was born into poverty, consequently he didn’t have the same lifestyle or opportunities as, for example, Nick, "..just remember that all the people in this world haven't had the advantages that you've had." (Fitzgerald) It’s harder to get to the ‘top’ when there is no one to help achieve that goal. This economic setback leads Gatsby to work with the wrong people and he was introduced into the world of corruption. He didn’t have the same advantages that those who were born into wealth had. Dishonest jobs were the easiest way out of poverty, helping him fulfil the materialistic fraction of his American dream.

Money is the supreme power of the world. Its immeasurable power and limitless influence has hacked into our society today, ruining our political democracy, our capitalistic economy, and our chances at achieving the American Dream. Money is handled differently between the rich and the poor. Money in the hands of the poor is spent on essential items necessary for survival, and since money is not abundant in the hands of the poor, every single penny is cherished as a gift from God. However in the hands of the rich, money is used to acquire more money. The urge to succumb to greed influences the rich to use any and all means necessary to grow their wealth, to grow their power, to grow their long lasting influence. We look up to the rich with awe for their ability to achieve the American Dream, but what we are blindfolded from seeing is the true rise to stardom, their true pathway to success. Not all, but some have achieved the American Dream through immoral acts and satanic deeds, swindling the desired ones from their exit of poverty or their chance to enter into reality. In the end of The Great Gatsby, F Scott Fitzgerald revealed to us the true Jay Gatsby. Fitzgerald teaches us that not all people achieve the American Dream immorally, giving the example of Jay Gatsby

In American society, wealth has played a particularly significant role in shaping the culture and standards set for our country. With every dilemma that has occurred, money was been an underlying deciding factor in the end. John.F.Kennedy makes this very clear in his statement on lowering the prices of steel, all the way Jennifer Price's take on people being obsessed with a money, even Scott Russell’s article on the status quo Americans believe determines one's happiness and success. All of these passages tie together to show just how money influences our very own society.

On Christmas Eve in 2010, my grandmother received a gift from a hospice nurse who was assisting with my grandfather’s deteriorating health. Initially both surprised and embarrassed by the gesture, her emotions quickly changed once she removed the wrapping. A single package of Ramen Noodles was revealed. Embarrassment changed to confusion as she attempted to wrap her mind around what she had received. The hospice worker drove a 1997 Plymouth Voyager that she regularly complained about not being able to run properly for more than a week. She wore old worn out clothing and my grandmother claims she had never seen the woman wear jewelry before. It was evident that she was not wealthy. Although she could not afford a gift, the nurse in her

Since the beginning, America has been a symbol of freedom, a symbol of liberty, a symbol of hope. The American dream is that no matter one’s background, he/she can work his/her way up to become wealthy and successful. However, in The Great Gatsby, Gatsby himself is failed by the American dream because of money. No matter what he does, he is unable to have Daisy because he cannot get away from the fact that he did not come from old money. This goes to show that wealth has the ability to corrupt the American dream. On top of that, when people constantly strive for wealth and rest so much of their worth in how much money they have, no one is ever satisfied, as is seen through people in West Egg. Overall, the negative effects of wealth to the American dream and to any society are clearly seen in The Great

The world revolves around money. Those small little coins and paper notes control the modern society. People who have money in abundance or enough to live a comfortable life see money as a positive object and as a source of success. However, people who are unfortunate enough to not have a sufficient amount of money, see money as an unfair and cruel means to live by. This wealth gap has been prominent throughout history and still is today.

During the time in our country's history called the roaring twenties, society had a new obsession, money. Just shortly after the great depression, people's focus now fell on wealth and success in the economic realm. Many Americans would stop at nothing to become rich and money was the new factor in separation of classes within society. Wealth was a direct reflection of how successful a person really was and now became what many people strived to be, to be rich. Wealth became the new stable in the "American dream" that people yearned and chased after all their lives. In the novel entitled the great Gatsby, the ideals of the so called American dream became skewed, as a result

In America our entire society is based on money. People who are respected are generally those who are the richest, because of this, the American Dream is sufficiently associated with money. For instance, this country indirectly tells the poor and oppressed that hard work and determination, in the land of free, will lead directly to success and happiness. Remember, the saying, “money can’t buy you happiness”. It is this general belief that most American citizens believe they all have an equal

There is much debate and discussion when it comes to “the American faith in money”. Some may say that money is the most important thing, while others mat think that the value and faith put into money is absurd. I feel that money is not the most important thing. Monet does not decide who you are or who you will be.

Does exposure to the concept of money have the ability to affect our views and opinions? In today’s society, money has an overwhelming control over human behaviour and quality of life. It affects how we live, what we buy, and how we’re viewed by other members of society. Studies

In modern American society, money is everything. In the United States, the most powerful people are often the wealthiest. This is shown every four years when a presidential election occurs. In the last three presidential elections, the candidate who spent the most money campaigning won the election (CNN.com) (Federal Election Commission) (New York Times). Money equals power in every aspect of a United States’ citizen’s life. This idea is first shown in the writings of Benjamin Franklin. In 1758, Franklin published “The Way to Wealth,” and through the character of Father Abraham, he presents industry, frugality, and prudence as the ways to wealth. In modern American society, industry, frugality, and prudence are still the ways to wealth.

There is a common phrase that used by many people around the world. That saying is, “Money is what makes the world go around.” Every individual in the world has things and items they need or wish to have. In the modern world, currency is used to purchase every one of those items whether it be a basic need or a selfish desire. In order to have a shelter for living, an individual has to purchase one for a price or even multiple payments every month. In the United States, a person has to use money to buy basic needs such as food, water, and clothing. There are other needs to live in a modern society such as electricity, the internet, education, and transportation. The acquisition of these needs to survive in society causes stress for a