ipl-logo

Overcoming Obstacles In Achieving The American Dream

1595 Words7 Pages

Americans are often portrayed as hard-working, optimistic and unsatisfied peoples, who are constantly scavenging to improve their already satisfactory lives. With an endless amount of desires, we often find ourselves setting goals to help us maintain a steady path toward these achievements. Improving your mile time to seven minutes or drinking at least half a gallon of water every day are goals that come with almost no trouble, but the challenges become more prevalent with the goals that have importance in your life. The American Dream is an ideal interpreted differently by each United States citizen, and while these citizens are entitled to equal opportunities, the barriers of race and social class hinder the pursuit of that dream. However, one can overcome the obstacles presented and achieve their version of success through diligent work and dedication. It would be extremely uncharacteristic for Americans to give up or forfeit, which is why the challenges associated with achieving the American Dream do not necessarily pose a threat in this regard. Our ability to overcome obstacles is something that has been encrypted into the foundations of our country and our individual upbringings, not limited to a certain race or social class. The American Dream is commonly defined as the ideal that every US citizen should have an …show more content…

While Americans start their endeavor on this journey, critics argue that “survival of the fittest” begins to separate the achievers and the non-achievers. F. Scott Fitzgerald’s novel, The Great Gatsby, provides a strong example for why social class is a prominent barrier for those trying to achieve their American Dream. Some people may argue that Gatsby had achieved his dream due to the fact that he ended up with a mansion and money; on the contrary, Gatsby’s real dream was to be reunited with Daisy, and

Show More
Related
184 Words | 1 Pages

Discrimination. Society. Low funds. All of these things have one thing in common: they all require a certain state of mind to overcome. The biggest obstacle in reaching the American Dream is mentality.

Read More
987 Words | 4 Pages

The idea of the American Dream has served as a driving force in American society for centuries. However, the attainability of this dream is not promised, and rather than a dream, one could just be pursuing a destructive illusion. The American Dream is highlighted in F. Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby, illustrated as an alluring ideal that could deviate into a harmful fallacy. The harm of the American dream can be associated with Gatsby and Myrtle’s deaths, both demonstrating the failure of the lower class obtaining their desired reality. Daisy and Tom help depict how the achievability of the American dream is more prevalent to those whose social status is predetermined to be higher.

Read More
176 Words | 1 Pages

The American dream is defined as the land of possibilities, where mankind can achieve their dreams of wealth and recognition of being capable with no barriers; however, in a world where social order is essential, the ability to fit in with the upper class becomes more challenging. In Scott Fitzgerald’s novel, The Great Gatsby, the characters, Jay Gatsby and Myrtle Wilson share the same ambition of achieving the American Dream where Gatsby strives to fit into the upper class with the use of wealth to win the heart of Daisy Buchanan, whereas Myrtle is determined to obtain wealth and status through her love interest, Tom Buchanan, but ultimately, due to their social position in society, they are permitted from accomplishing the American dream.

Read More
1327 Words | 6 Pages

There are numerous differences between today’s society and society from 100 years ago; nevertheless, Fitzgerald’s vision of the American Dream in The Great Gatsby is similar to today’s ideals of the famous fantasy. While the dream can come from inherited wealth, the reality is it generally comes from working hard to become successful. Based on the analysis of The Great

Read More
1038 Words | 5 Pages

When one envisions the American Dream, one might picture the classic rags-to-riches story or simply the freedom to prosper and succeed. But in reality, not everyone gets an equitable chance to rise above the ashes, and because of this one can only wonder about the tangibility of this dream. In F. Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby, readers explore this idea, examining people from the ultra-wealthy, such as Tom and Daisy Buchanan, to the impoverished lower class, such as Mr. Wilson. In doing so, one realizes that not a single character ends up satisfied, all left to grasp the barest trace of happiness and comfort. While Tom appears to fit the simplistic archetype of the affluent out-of-touch person that cruelly antagonizes the other characters

Read More
1109 Words | 5 Pages

The ever-hopeful end result of pursuing the American dream is the aspiration of achieving a substantial amount of money and successfully building the white picket fence. Many talk about the famous accounts of successful dream chasers, however, hidden under their feet are countless Americans anxiously waiting to climb up the ladder. In contrast, several get caught up on earthly desires believing it will lead them to eternal satisfaction, but often, it decides their own fate. In The Great Gatsby, American author F. Scott Fitzgerald explores the tragedy found within numerous characters. This novel reveals all social classes striving to achieve the American dream, showing how even the most wealthy struggle to live an authentic, happy life.

Read More
1309 Words | 6 Pages

The American dream is having equality, a voice to be heard and stability in one’s life. However, the American Dream is just that, a dream. It cannot be attained because of the power of our government, the ignorant minds of others and the constant want for more. What should be trivial factors in life, such as: race, gender, social class, wealth, etc., all have a significant effect on the impractical American dream. the “TED Talks” video proves this.

Read More
747 Words | 3 Pages

Have people ever thought that one would like to join a higher class? In F. Scott Fitzgerald’s, novel, The Great Gatsby, Gatsby follows his American Dream of joining another socioeconomic class. The American Dream, more prevalent in the 20th century, is where every person should have the same opportunities.

Read More
822 Words | 4 Pages

Impossible Dreams The meaning of the American Dream can be seen as ”A uniquely American vision of the country consisting of three central ideas. The American dream consists of a belief in America as the new Eden- a land of beauty, bounty, and unlimited promise; a feeling of optimism, created by ever expanding opportunity; and a confidence in the triumph of the individual.” Using this definition of the so called “American dream”, it seems to be a great representation of it at first, until you realize it includes everyone as the individual. From the beginning of the Civil war to the end of the War to End All Wars, the American Dream wasn’t possible due to the treatment of the Native Americans, the inequality between women and men, and the false promises given to the immigrants coming to our country in their time of need.

Read More
908 Words | 4 Pages

The American dream at one point was what drew people to American; the right to life, liberty, and the happiness. The American dream is the hope to acquire currency, large homes, raise a middle-class family, and pursue what brings people joy in life. But in the year 2016, the American dream becomes hard to believe in. The American dream may still exist, but it is not equally accessible to all Americans. This is true because the American dream is not affordable for everyone, it is not available to everyone from different degrees of education, and race and ethnicity creates large social barriers.

Read More
1051 Words | 5 Pages

The American Dream is often seen as a goal for many people in the United States, with the idea that it can lead to a more fulfilling, richer, and happier life. This concept is rooted in the early days of the country and the belief that "all men are created equal," meaning that the American Dream is meant to be a clear path to success for all Americans regardless of their race, gender, sexuality, political beliefs, or religion. However, upon further examination, it becomes clear that the true American Dream has not been fully achieved. Despite the promise of equality and opportunity, there are still barriers and inequalities that prevent certain groups from achieving the same level of success as others. This suggests that the American Dream,

Read More
1718 Words | 7 Pages

Research Paper In F. Scott Fitzgerald’s novel, The Great Gatsby, Fitzgerald uses literary devices such as foreshadowing and metaphors to examine the American dream and the baggage that comes with it. Each of the characters within the novel has their own vision of the American dream. For some, the dream is everlasting wealth and high social status, while for others the dream is an opportunity to achieve great success with hard work and determination. Throughout the novel, Fitzgerald introduces characters who have inherited the dream, and others who are working hard to achieve their dreams and goals.

Read More
1243 Words | 5 Pages

The American Dream is so essential to our country as it is an honor to reach your goals and make it a reality. The American Dream is the national ethos that people’s lives would be better and more abundant with many opportunities. The American Dream was more accessible to attain back in the days, however, changed over the years. Although the “American Dream” is still possible, many people, minorities are affected by the lack of improvement in social mobility in our society. The American Dream is still alive by being able to live a middle-class lifestyle and by obtaining it through perseverance and hard-work.

Read More
1060 Words | 5 Pages

No matter who you are or where you have come from, you have undoubtedly heard of the American Dream. The idea that no matter who you are or where you have come from, you can do whatever it is you desire in America. What was once one the main driving forces for immigrants to flock to the new world, has slowly changed over the years, but still holds its value in the eyes of those who are looking for a promising new place to live. The American dream might not hold the same awe inspiring sound that it once did, but for many generations before ours it was a beacon of hope that helped build the foundation that the United States was built on. And, still, today the American dream might not be as achievable as it once was, but it is still an important

Read More
714 Words | 3 Pages

The American Dream has the nationality ethos of the United States. It is a collection of goals that everyone born in America has freedom, equal opportunity for prosperity and upward social mobility. They can achieve through hard work in a society with few obstacles. However, the fact is cruel. Nowadays, America’s economic inequality is growing.

Read More

More about Overcoming Obstacles In Achieving The American Dream

Related Topics

Open Document