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The American Dream Reflected In American Literature

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In stories such as A Raisin in the Sun, Maggie,The Great Gatsby, and Mice of Men, attaining materialistic possessions and significant relationships is the understanding of the American Dream and was valued due to its ability to increase one’s stature within society.
The American dream consist of desirable items and relationships that demonstrate wealth and happiness. In specific cases the American dream was assumed to be achieved through property ownership,love and advancement of social class. The American dream can vary depending upon the one’s perspective.
Throughout history has changed values have changed. As the values changed it was reflected in American Literature. Some examples of values changed it was reflected in American Literature …show more content…

One example of that is A Raisin in the Sun. In the book they family is trying to get out of protey. They are going to get out of property with this big check they are supposed to revive which puts strain on the family. It puts strain on the family because they never had money like that before and it’s their American dream. “Check coming today? They said Saturday and this is just Friday and I hopes to God you ain't going to get up here first thing this morning and start talking to me 'bout no money 'cause I 'bout don't want to hear it.” (Hansberry …show more content…

In the story two young men constantly go from one farm to another to work in order to obtain a place to live and money.As they travel to their new farm they talk about their dream. As the story goes on other characters go along with their dream. Their dream is to own their own farm and a little house with animals.“blow their stake, and the first thing you know they’re poundin’ their tail on some other ranch. They ain’t got nothing to look ahead to.O.K. Someday—we’re gonna get the jack together and we’re gonna have a little house and a couple of acres an’ a cow and some pigs and”(Steinbeck 14)
In all four stories each one has a American dream. Each American dream is unique in itself.
What they all have in common is they all are trying to better their life and achieve happiness. That is what the american dream is about achieving happiness.“The American dream is the ideal that the government should protect each person opportunity to pursue their own idea of happiness.” (Amadeo) Therefore the upbringing and understanding will affect how someone perceives the American dream. With stories such as A Raisin in the Sun, Maggie,The Great Gatsby, and Mice of Men, attaining materialistic possessions and significant relationships is the understanding of the American Dream, was valued due to its ability to increase one’s stature within

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