Definition Essay: The American Dream

The American Dream How is the American Dream defined? Who decided it? There is never a single answer when it comes to defining something, especially with the diversity America has today. A traditional definition would sound like, “that dream of a land in which life should be better and richer for everyone, with opportunity for each according to ability or achievement” (Adams 214-215). Of course, an old definition from 1931 could never sustain constant change of life, so a modern day definition would lean towards, “ the American Dream is being able to follow your own personal calling. To be able to do what you want to do is incredible freedom” (Lin 1). These definitions show a standard point of what

My personal definition is explained as to achieve something such as a job, a family or a personal achievement to better theirself and livelihood. It is what people will achieve for and set their life on succeeding. The American dream is elusive due to people shifting from the traditional view over time and forgetting what it really means to achieve it and that it is not all about how rich with money people get, it is if that person feels rich inside by what they have done.

The American dream is not as easy to achieve as most present it to be. It is not like the world will hand it over with enough belief and spirit, even if those are important factors to the American dream. The youth today are fading away from the traditional views and are focusing on the present. Going through all the challenges of living the world alone and “lacking the resources needed to stay afloat in the new economy, these young people were no longer setting their sights on the very things that have long symbolized the American dream: a home, a job, a family” (Cooper 1). These people are not having the proper start and push to begin what will be the rest of their lives. Many people today are trapped in the past and can not

That is not a wrong opinion, there are no wrong thoughts on what the American means for any individual. Many do have the realistic views, though “Some say, that the American Dream has become the pursuit of prosperity - that people work more hours to get bigger cars, fancier homes, the fruits of prosperity for their families - but have less time to enjoy their prosperity” (Library of Congress 1). Some do have the same viewpoint but it may not be enough. Having a though is different than doing and action. Most of the population thinks and believes in something but does not actually do it and later become unaware of what they really