In America, the popular dream is to be happy and to be surrounded by loved ones. Back in the 1920’s though, things were very different. The main focus of the American Dream was to have a big house, an abundance of money, and to be high up on the social ladder. This oftentimes causes a deprivation of happiness, but back then it did not seem to matter. It was not of concern to them.
Dennis Radar spend his whole life committing heinous acts. As most serial killers, they begin with minor, abnormal acts until they gain more confident and secure with themselves to commit more daring acts. With the influences of killing small animals, violent pornographic and homicidal materials, Dennis developed a sadistic nature towards women and a superiority complex towards others. People were views as interior beings as women were viewed as objects that are to be used for his own sexual pleasure which was to bound them, torture them and kill them. However, the BTK killer wasn’t limited to attacking just women.
“The American Dream” was the lifestyle that everyone wanted to have. Starting in the 1920s’ “The American Dream” changed the way most Americans lived their lives. America went from being all about having fun and being free to all about how rich you are and how much money you have. The things people cared about was who could through the bigger better party, who had the nicest house and car, and who had the richest most beautiful women not about loyalty, hope, peace, and happiness.
The American Dream is defined as “A life of personal happiness and material comfort as traditionally sought by individuals in the U.S.” (Dictionary 1). This idea is what our forefathers have based the constitution and has thrived in one way or another, even in current times. The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald tells the story of Nick Carraway's new beginnings in extravagant West Egg, Long Island during the roaring twenties. Barbara Ehrenreich’s Nickled and Dimed:
The Roaring Twenties was a time of drastic reform; both in social regards and many others. One of the many things that had been born from the twenties is undoubtedly the American Experience. To people at the time, the term American Experience meant a plethora of things. It was a term that was unique to each individual, and stood for their goal, or maybe the lack thereof, or perhaps it stood for their own character and defined their whole life. Regardless, the American Experience was entirely adaptable; writing from the many authors that stemmed from this time had proved that to be true.
The core beliefs of the 1920s were very different than the decades before. In the 1920s people believed that they should just do whatever made them happy at the moment, as is shown in Myrtle’s quote “You can’t live forever; you can’t live forever” (Fitzgerald 36). This attitude was also shown in the people's’ ethics. They did not want to work hard to make their money, instead they searched for a way to get rich fast. This is a direct contradiction to the American Dream.
In the 1920’s, the American Dream could be defined as the achievement of equality, fairness, unity, and financial and material success, but the characters in the novel make the assumption of a separate meaning (Hearne 189). Fitzgerald defines the American Dream as the “idealistic quest for unworthy goals,” because more often than not, individuals strive for things that they do not deserve due to
In the 1950’s the concept of achieving the “American Dream” was what the majority of the United States was aiming for. This dream was that “life should be richer and better and fuller for everyone, with opportunity for each according to ability or achievement,” (Epic of America). For many this meant owning a home, having a car, and raising a family; the white picket fence idea. Although the idea was for everybody to be happy, it really only was achievable for white men. The women and non-white citizens did not have an equal opportunity to live the american dream.
The American Dream is the belief that anyone, regardless of race, class, gender, or nationality, can be successful in America if they just work hard enough. The American Dream presents a view of the American society in which ignores racism problems, income inequality, etc. In the 1920’s, it was a very difficult and resulting time for the American Dream. Due to increased immigration, changing women’s roles, and a extraordinary income inequality. The country was also in the midst of an economic boom, which fueled the belief that anyone could “strike it rich”.
In the 1920’s, America was most definitely the place to be. Resources were abundant and the economy was booming. The creation of in-home refrigeration and the radio created an achievable goal amongst the citizens. The American Dream presented a hopeful and achievable future for any American. To live the American Dream, one simply had to create a better version of their society and their personality.
Alejandra Nolasco Mr.Prasovic Honors United States II White Day 5/7 5 February, 2017 The 1950s During the 1950s, people were living the American Dream. After World War II military soldiers returned home to start families. Couples and spouses were reunited and were overwhelmed with excitement.
America is known as “The Land of Opportunity” and it established the concept of the American Dream in the 1900’s. The fight for this dream was prevalent even before it was given a name in 1930. The founding fathers wrote this belief into the constitution with the words “All Americans are created equal and endowed by their creator with certain inalienable rights. Among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness” .Some Americans believe that the American Dream can still be obtained in the 21st Century with hard work and perservance ; however, a majority of the American population among race gender and class has a different point of view on what America still provides to their citizens because economic insta8bility and lack of equal opportunity.
The American dream states that any individual can achieve success regardless of family history, race, and/or religion simply by working hard. The 1920’s were a time of corruption and demise of moral values in society. The first World War had passed, and people were reveling in the materialism that came at the end of it, such as advanced technology and innovative inventions. The novel The Great Gatsby exploits the theme of the American Dream as it takes place in a corrupt period in history. Although the American Dream seemed more attainable than ever in the 1920’s, F. Scott Fitzgerald’s, The Great Gatsby demonstrates how materialism and the demise of moral values in society leads to the corruption and impossibility of the American Dream.
What is the American dream? America always had that impact in other countries, as the land of dreams, opportunity, freedom of speech, and the list goes on and on. The American dream is about working hard to get were you want to be, make ours children lives better then what we had as child. Fitzgeral explains in his book, in 1920’s
The American dream is an illusion that is deeply implanted in the minds of the people, it sets a bar for life achievement and offers hope to work hard to achieve their dreams. As for Americans, they are raised in a society to where they are expected to make lots money and to have a healthy family. After all in our society success is largely based off positions of power and financial stability. For example, in The Great Gatsby, written by F. Scott Fitzgerald, there were multiple interpretations of the ideal American dream in the 1920s. In the 1920s, due to the growth of materialism, people advertised and fancied the power of money to fulfilling their dreams.
