The American Dream is defined in the Random House dictionary as “the ideals of freedom, equality, and opportunity traditionally held to be available to every American” (Random House 1). However, most Americans strive towards the American Dream without knowing this definition. That is because you cannot give the American Dream a clear definition, it has an ever changing meaning. The American Dream of today is certainly not the same as what it was fifty years ago. In fact, fifty years ago in the 1960s the American Dream was simply peace, freedom and equality. During this time, the Civil Rights Movement was taking place in which African Americans were fighting for their freedom. There were…
“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.” (United States Declaration of Independence). In much the same way as the authors of the founding fathers, the American Dream can be defined simply as the pursuit and the achievement of happiness. Clarifications, like not needing to use underhanded means, are not necessary because it is readily apparent that these means do not provide happiness nor liberty. In other words, the American Dream is attainable through hard work, determination, and the fruits of honest labor, even though it is embodied negatively in literary contexts and positively in historical terms.…
The American Dream is a concept that can be traced to the founding fathers of America, which entails ideals such as democracy, equality, freedom, liberty, human rights and opportunity for all to live a better and prosperous life. These ideals are achieved through hard work in an environment that has no barriers and offers equal opportunities for all. The coming of the American Dream came with the declaration of independence from England. People were filled with hope as they believed in the right to freedom, life and pursuing happiness. The idea was the creation of a nation in which people would be free from restrictions to pursue the life they want for themselves. This definition of the American Dream has changed over the course of time as people started deviating from the ideals of liberty, rights, and hard work. Hard work is now just caused by wanting to make the most money and wanting to have power and control.…
As principal of Dassel-Cokato high school, your influence and work with today’s youth is extremely important and vital. The imprints we leave upon these freshmen are that of something which will carry on throughout their years, surpassing high school. Being a graduate of Dassel-Cokato, this school district is very dear to me and I also understand and am able to see the technology slowly taking over this younger generation’s attention. As much as you are around and working with the youth of your school, I’m sure you understand the importance of trying to stray youth from technology and push them into the direction of nature.…
All Americans can achieve the American dream. Immigrants consistently prove that with hard work and dedication the American dream can be fulfilled. Education makes it possible to achieve the American dream. There are programs available to help people get out of poverty and achieve the American dream. I chose that all americans can achieve the American dream, because what you put your mind to you can achieve.…
The 1920s were new times for Americans. Wealth, leisure, and social events replaced the frugality and hard work that had defined America for decades before. A country built on the backbone of ingenuity and a “work before play” philosophy was transformed into a wasteful, carefree time. Gatsby fulfils the typical embodiment of the 1920s American dream; a man squandering his fortune on lavish parties, expensive clothes, and the best entertainment to ensure his popularity in the social rankings. Although he seemed fulfilled and pleased with his life, his soul was hollow and empty. No amount of money could fill the place where his one true love, Daisy, was meant to be. Many other Americans were like Gatsby in the 1920s, building a façade of happiness with money, lust, and social statuses, only to be shallow and hurt because of lack of morals, loss of true love, and a greed for more wealth. Though not all Americans were like this in the 1920s, we can see examples of these types of characters in the Great Gatsby through Daisy, Tom, and Jordan. Harshly, the 1920s compared to the 1930s can be associated with these characters; at first they are overwhelmed with prosperity, continually seeking the utmost means of wealth, which they believe will buy them love and true happiness. After the shine of success becomes dull, they are left with no morals, fabricated love, and no sense of true belonging. Parallel to the 1930s, victims of this time of greed are sent into a downward spiral of moral poverty.…
The American Dream can be something different to every citizen in the United States. It’s defined as the ideas of freedom, equality, and liberty held available to every American. This means that every American has the opportunity to achieve their dreams of having a successful and meaningful life. This started when immigrants first came to America and is still around today. The American Dream is just as valid as it was when America was founded, but depending on whom you are and what you do for a living, it may be more achievable to some than others.…
If you were to ask a person what the “American Dream:” is, each response would be completely different, due to the fact that that everyone has a different opinion on what the “prosperity of life is”. To some it may mean riches and materialistic possessions, while for others it could represent freedom, happiness and love. Every person is an individual that has individual thoughts, never the same as anyone else’s, therefore the “American Dream” varies from person to person. For some people, happiness and love may not be enough to satisfy that emptiness they feel inside and that is why there are people that crave riches, social status and power as their “dream”. Over the last few decades many immigrants have come to America to pursue the Freedom…
This essay must be typed and in MLA format. It should include a Works Cited page (not included in the page count). The final draft should be turned in with prewriting, rough…
Some people say that the “American Dream” is dead, but I say, it most certainly is not. What is the “American Dream”? To some its freedom, lively hood, opportunities while to others it is food, not starving, or being able to take care of themselves and make a name for themselves. The American Dream is whatever you want it to be. There is no definition because it is interpreted differently depending on who is pursuing it, and what their situation is. The American Dream is how people keep themselves going. It is their last burst of energy in a marathon, their energy drink to get them through the last few hours of work. The American Dream is more than a fantasy, its a sense of hope and a way to help those in desperate need to find their happiness. What if you found yourself in a rut with no way to escape? What would you do to get yourself free of a downhill spiral? Imagine you are living in a poor, rickety place with not much food or income. Wouldn't you want something to look forward to, to keep you going and searching for the help and care you are in need of? Of course you would, and that is what the American Dream does. It gives people the push they need to steer their life in the right direction. No the American Dream most certainly is not dead, it is still alive and thriving just like it was 20 years ago and will be for at least the next century to come.…
behavior, nor restrain men from doing the things men have always done. If a story ever…
America, is known as the country for opportunity and freedom; it’s where many people can come and have a fair chance to acquire the desired goal of the “American Dream”. The American Dream has acquired many different meanings over time. From the original definition being: the American Dream is that 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. In today’s society the American Dream can be defined as: a belief in freedom that allows all citizens and residents of the United States of America to achieve their goals in life through hard work. Too many, to successfully obtaining the American Dream you must meet a certain criteria being: a household…
A life of freedom, equality, and opportunity, more commonly known as the American Dream, motivates people every day to achieve personal happiness and material comfort. John Winthrop, Judith Sargent Murray, and Ben Franklin encouraged this lifestyle by writing to the people of the United States explaining in their own way how this utopian lifestyle can be achieved. Winthrop’s “A Model of Christian Charity” was written on board the Arbella on the way to the Massachusetts Bay Colony. He inspired the people by saying that if they united in love, they would be blessed by God and have the power to impact the world. Murray’s “On the Equality of Sexes” sparked controversy as it shone a light on how women were treated in society and education. She is one of the first at the time to speak about the intelligence of women and the potential they could have if treated as equals to men. Franklin’s “The Way of Wealth” emphasizes the importance of thrift and warns against living a sloth-like life. The American Dream can be achieved through love, equality, and hard work.…
The “American Dream” has changed drastically from in the beginning. It started as possibility. The possibility of you dream coming true. Of being able to worship who you choose. Of being the entertainer that you wish to be. Of making a better life for your children. The “American Dream” was the possibility. Today it isn’t about the possibility any more, it is about demand. The demand of getting everything before ever having it. The demand of “being American means I should get everything “. They use to say “you can be anything you want” not “you can want everything without…
The American Dream, something once thought to be the American lifestyle that once achieved, one’s life may be considered perfect. It started out simple, owning two cars, owning a large house in a suburban neighborhood, married with two children, and owning your own business. This may the American Dream after World War II has ended; however, because of the economic crisis, the increase of major corporations, and the cost of living; over the years, reaching this goal has been a very difficult to achieve.…