The Evolution Of The American Dream

Evolution of the American Dream The American Dream is a fleeting hope that many Americans have clung to since it was originally brought to light in 1931. Because of the new outlooks and interpretations that Americans have presented in viewing this dream since then, it is now within the reach of anyone who pursues it. When one focusses on material possessions and advancing in social status, much like the old interpretation of the American Dream, this hope is lost and the Dream is unachievable. However, when the focus becomes more modern and shifts to bettering oneself and working on his or her own individual happiness, the American Dream becomes much more realistic and provides hope for all Americans. F. Scott Fitzgerald depicts a vivid
This term was first coined during a time that wreaked havoc on the entire American population (Zakaria). America was in the midst of the depression- a time when the economy was failing and jobs were hard to cling to; this atmosphere caused the fresh idea of the American Dream to be based on every American’s wildest dream: material possessions and high social standing. Now that the background has explained the basis for this term, it is easier to understand why the original focusses were so absurd. During this time frame class was strictly based on each individual’s social and economic standing (“Class”). This was because the only Americans who were not completely devastated by the depression were those who were extremely wealthy and had lots of connections. The average Americans who did not have this security blanket of wealth and ties to influential people saw those who were still thriving and yearned to be like them. It was because of these secure individuals that the common people idolized that the original view of the American Dream was born - a dream that brought social advancement and economic gains to all Americans no matter where they
Rather than prioritize material possessions and impressing others, this new view presents the hope of “social order in which each man and each woman shall be able to attain the fullest stature of which they are innately capable” (Seelye). Although many Americans could have theoretically achieved the old idea of the American Dream by becoming rich and achieving a high social class, if the individual is not happy then all of his or her accomplishments were for nothing. This new interpretation helps to make this Dream more realistic for everyone by focusing on each individual rather than setting goals that were based off of generalizing the entire American population. Since it is much easier to be a part of the upper class if the individual is born into the upper class, the old view of the American Dream was not entirely fair or realistic for the less fortunate. With this new interpretation any American can achieve the Dream by simply focusing on themselves and what they need to work on or achieve. There is no need to climb up the social ladder or become excessively rich unless that is what he or she wants to