Opposition to the “American Dream” Throughout the history of the United States‚ the definition of the iconic tenet‚ the American dream‚ has remained a relative constant: that with hard work and determination‚ any American citizen‚ regardless of background or disadvantage‚ can achieve anything they truly desire. However‚ the outrageously exalted philosophy has been‚ and always will be‚ a tragically falsified and laughably chimerical image. With the passage of time‚ the American dream has become increasingly
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achieve. As Americans‚ we are granted the chance to live in a land where anything and everything is possible. The horizon has no limits nor does the sky. All of this can be easily outlined in a single‚ famous term recognized by people all across the world: The American Dream. A term first introduced by a man named James Truslow Adams‚ has become the fundamental vision of the American people as a whole. Sadly‚ this concept appears to be slipping between our fingertips. I believe the American dream is being
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The American dream The term "American Dream" first was used by the American historian James Truslow Adams in his book "The Epic of America" published in 19311. At that time the United States were suffering under the Great Depression2. Adams used the term to describe the complex beliefs‚ religious promises and political and social expectations. The american dream has continually been a staple of american culture. once individuals speak of it‚ they usually refer back to the primary 1/2 the twentieth
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The meaning of the "American Dream" has changed over the course of history‚ and includes both personal components (such as home ownership and upward mobility) and a global vision. Historically the Dream originated in the mystique regarding frontier life. As the Royal Governor of Virginia noted in 1774‚ the Americans "for ever imagine the Lands further off are still better than those upon which they are already settled". He added that‚ "if they attained Paradise‚ they would move on if they heard of
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In the novel “The Great Gatsby”‚ Fitzgerald uses the main characters’ lives to show the emptiness of the American Dream. As can be seen through most of history‚ chasing wealth seems to be an activity enjoyed by most but perfected by few. While Gatsby is giving Daisy a tour of his house Nick says “Sometimes‚ too‚ he stared around at his possessions in a dazed way… Once he nearly toppled down a flight of stairs”(Fitzgerald 112). I believe that Jay Gatsby gazing at his possessions in a ‘dazed’ way shows
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Arthur Miller’s “Death of a Salesman” is a tragic play that reflects on dreams of ordinary American citizens in post-war era. After the Second World War‚ United States economy was on the rise; therefore many people received an opportunity to achieve the “American Dream”. During this time‚ Arthur Miller wrote his play where he provided an example of an ambiguous middle class man and his collapse. By doing so‚ he broke the rules of the tragic play writing. The rules were set by the Greek philosopher
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American Westward expansion set the stage for significant social‚ economic and political changes that echo up until today. Westward Expansion created more land for farmers and settlers‚ more natural resources for the United States‚ and built the United States into a major world power. Back to that era‚ there were many factors that attributed to American’s rapid expansion to the west. First‚ the idea of “manifest destiny”‚ that describes the belief that the USA and its people were “destined” to expand
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multiple characters who all yearn for something. From protagonists to secondary characters‚ from dreams about being an actress to dreams to dying peacefully on one’s own land‚ there is a plethora of different personalities and fantasies. Although their goals are different‚ most of them revolve around the theme of earning the American Dream. George‚ Lennie‚ Candy‚ Curley’s wife and Crooks all possess a dream‚ that unfortunately never comes true. George‚ a character that portrays a more independent demeanor
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on June 5‚ 1945. Areas in the western portion became American‚ British‚ and French zones‚ whilst the east was given to the Soviet Union. They will be more commonly known later as the eastern and western zones‚ after the American zone combined powers with the British and French areas. The west was controlled by a capitalist style government that focused on economic recovery from the bloody war that left millions of German people homeless. The east was ran
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The American Dream: Is It Still Attainable? What is the American dream? Some would say a successful career. Some would say a life of fulfillment and happiness. Some might even say equality and acceptance for all Americans. But what it is really‚ and how must an individual go about attaining it? I believe the American dream is defined by the personal desires of the one striving and working for it. Our rights as Americans are clearly stated in the Declaration of Independence: Life‚ liberty and the
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