Hochil Hochschild: Defining The American Dream

1. How does the Hochschild defined the American dream?

Hochschild defines the American dream as “the soul of the nation”. She believes that every American living in America can achieve their dream. In the reading Hochchild separates the dream in to categories absolute success and relative success. Within in these categories she defines the American dream and achieve success. Absolute success in the American dream implies “reaching some threshold of well-being, higher than where one began but is not necessarily dazzling.” Which basically means the dream is to have the right well-being without being too over the top. While relative success is achieving the American dream consists of becoming better off than some comparison point. Meaning, when there is any sort of competition are even some comparison with another person to become successful by trying to gain victory over another person. “My success implies your failure.”

2. What are the four tenants of the dream?

The first tenet states that everyone regardless of origin or station may always pursue their dream. Additionally, the second tenet talks about how one may reasonably anticipate or the hopefulness of success. While the third states how one achieves the success that one anticipates. Lastly the fourth tenet of the American dream is that the pursuit of success warrants so much favor because it is associated with virtue. She explains these tenets to further explain her theory of how we as Americans believe that following these rules will help them become successful and achieve the American dream. According to Hochschild the idea of the American dream can be attained from an individual actions and