The Right To Fail William Zinsser Analysis

The Evolution of the American Dream The traditional form of the American Dream is portrayed through hard work, the ability to better yourself, and financial success. Throughout the course of time, not only do customs change, but the ideals of the American Dream are modified as well. In most cases the basic characteristics of the traditional American Dream is translated through the actions of a successful society. Although this philosophy does not imply to the modern beliefs of the American Dream, many individualists began speculating that there are two options to the ideal American Dream, whether it’d be success or failure itself. Many who came to the United States thought of it as an icon of freedom and success. They
viewed the United States as a “magical place” (Obama-84), where anyone can fulfill dreams. For instance, Obama states in his “Keynote Address”, that in a generous America “you don’t have to be rich to achieve your potential” (Obama-84). As Obama goes on his Keynote Address, he explains that America is an “open door” (Obama-86) to success for those who desire to explore the opportunities that it holds. For those who came to America, it was a place of opportunities and a gateway to success. Throughout history, society’s success has exceeded struggles and hardships. No matter ethnicity or social status if, one puts effort and dedication they can achieve the key to a promising future. In Dan Rather’s essay “They Live the Dream”, Rather gives inspirational, personal encounters of individuals that through struggles achieved success. With a “ten thousand dollar loan” (Rather-41) Delores Kesler, a divorced single mother, began her staffing agency in 1977. “With a serious of dead end jobs [she struggled] to make ends meet” (Rather-41). Likewise, Wayne Ford who was a troubled high school student and angered toward racism, fulfilled his dream in “politics and in charge of a community center” (Rather-42). He states “the worst things in my life were the things that had the potential to make me great” (Rather-42). Through labor and exertion, one can overcome “dead-ends” to achieve stability. If indeed, the American Dream defines the people of America, then why is it that a large portion of the population is left behind.
As William Zinsser explains in his essay “The Right to Fail”, he emphasizes the modern definition of the American Dream by stating that no person or group of people have the right to say what is the “right path to the top, or even to say what the top consist of” (Zinsser-89). Zinsser’s essay addresses that failure isn’t bad and success is another option, because “success and failure are again becoming individual visions” (Zinsser-89). This upgraded ideal of the American Dream provides new access who at a point could not fulfill their dreams. There are those who chose the option of the modernized version of the American Dream. Take Roberto Acuna for example, in the essay written by Studs Terkel. Although “[his] mom had always wanted [him] to better [himself]” (Terkel-70), he chose to become a man of his people instead of a “company man” (Terkel-70). Acuna worked hard to try to better the lives of those left behind, who lack the access of the American Dream. Acuna wants people to comprehend “how the fine salad got on their table” (Terkel-71) by choosing to “fail” in the sense of him not having a “successful job”, according to
society. Citizens strive for the standards of the American Dream. They attempt for a prosperous life through riches and success. As many now know the ideology of the American Dream has changed into a more diverse, liberal, and optional decision. Many modern thinkers believe that there are new individualistic choices; that the people have the right to be labeled as success or failure. Zinsser explains that the progressed society should ignore “the old standards of success’ and write “new ones” (89).