1984 American Dream Analysis

Throughout history, America created a reputation for being a nation that fought for what it believed in, one where people could go to have freedom, to find jobs, and to live the life they have always wanted. America, partly, has more opportunity than many other third world countries; however, the idea of the “American Dream” is far from reality. According to the article Paradox and Dream, Americans are never satisfied. They push everything to its extremes, “...we eat too much when we can, drink too much, indulge our senses too much…” (1). Americans are a prime example of a paradox. While the rest of the world thinks Americans live the so-called ‘American dream’, the reality is that they tend to be unhappy. Nothing can be done to satisfy an

The reader is led to believe that the “Ministry of Love’ is where people are shown some sort of love or affection, from the name. However, in reality the ‘Ministry of Love’ is a place where the people that rebel against the government, or “party”, are sent to be tortured until they believe the parties ideas. Rather than being in a place where someone can be cherished and loved, the paradox is that it is a place that is feared; A place of torture, evil, and betrayal. This paradox is just like the idea of an “American dream”, having a home, a place of love and a place to go to feel safe and ‘at home’. Steinbeck’s “Paradox and Dream” explains, “Many thousands of these homes are built every year; built planted advertised, and sold- and yet, the American family rarely stays in one place for more than five years”(Steinbeck 8). The idea of a ‘home’ is not the reality. People do not tend to stay in these houses for more than five years, meaning that the idea of home, a place of love and safety, is actually a paradox that affects how people view American

People often believe that people who are successful are successful because they have natural talent. However, Orwell, in the novel Outliers, makes it clear that natural talent has little to do with success. The successful are a product of lucky circumstances, extra practice, age, and family status. Many coincidental circumstances lead to other opportunities that allow someone to excel more than another. From there they continually excel and are considered successful over those that did not have the same opportunities. The idea that natural talent leads to success is a common paradox. Natural talent is only one small part of the equation. This paradox skews reality. In reality, circumstances and luck help deliver an individual into success, not natural talent