The American Dream Fact Or Fiction Analysis

The American Dream: Fact or Fiction We all have our own image of the American dream, some being as generic as the next; A dependable car, a suburban home with a large front yard, children playing outside, and the man of the house traveling to work to support the family. Consequently, due to all of the hype of the “American Dream” it no longer stands for what it once did. In a New York Times article, columnist and “opinionator” Allison Arieff described her opinion on the matter. In her article she wrote, “We’ve built more houses than we’ve needed — and built them farther away from jobs. This has led to longer commutes, which has created more traffic. In response, we built more highways, increasing fuel consumption and, as transportation planners acknowledge, doing little if anything to reduce traffic. It’s a vicious, seemingly endless cycle, and at its core is the notion that the American dream can exist only within the framework of the
single-family home on a large lot.”

The fixated belief that the American dream is based purely on having a single-family home on a large lot has confused people to spend MORE money than needed to maintain their vision of the American dream.
Arieff’s article goes on to explain her opinion on how houses COULD be maintained, and home-owners using their money well-spent, and I agree whole-heartedly. Americans are wasting money finding a house that is nowhere near their jobs just to maintain their image. It is wasteful, uneconomical, and it is happening all across America. It is true that Americans today have been fooled by the sales and construction industry to focus more on square footage rather than becoming part of a new community. Although most can agree that a beautiful home on a large chunk of land sounds wonderful, we fail to recognize the beauty of being a part of a community, and being part of a bigger picture. Homes are not a fortress, or a castle, they are for the sole comfort of growing and developing a healthy and happy family within
it.

I remember as a senior in high school I read Death of a Salesman by Arthur Miller. The book was tragic, yet extremely interesting to read. The main character, Willy Loman, was the head of the house, and a salesman that supported his family of two sons, Biff, and Happy, and his wife, Linda. Willy’s struggle to support the American dream was so far from reach that he became depressed from his inability to support his family. This book acknowledges the idea that the “American Dream” was, but never will be, the same as it once was. Time makes fools of us all, but the technology that has become so modern has changed the fixated ideas our last generations once believed. The American dream no longer consists of a house on land, a big family with dinners, and holidays, and gatherings. My idea of the “American dream” now consists of transportation, dependability, health and happiness.

Arieff’s article went on to explain alternative methods to reaching your own idea of the American dream, which interested me. Never once have I read about someone going AGAINST what was once the ultimate goal to all Americans, but she was not alone. According to her article, large building business known for building the mile-high sky scrapers and heavily equipped “McMansions” have begun to build smaller neighborhoods inside of cities. (FINALLY THEY GET IT) Celebrities may “need” the mansions and “trump-towers” but do what you want with your millions, celebrities. If a middle class worker needs easy transportation to work there should be communities close enough for fast travel. This issue is soon to be solved once the “big money” businesses begin their new development! I think this new idea is absolutely wonderful for the working class… soon small communities and comfortable neighborhoods will be the new face to the all “American Dream.”