Synthesis Essay On The American Dream

James Truslow Adams’ Epic of America, a 1931 New York Times best-selling non-fiction book, coined the term "American Dream" and was described as "that dream of a land in which life should be better and richer and fuller for everyone, with opportunity for each according to ability or achievement" (pp. 415–416, Adams). Since then, people from all over the world have set their minds to achieving the coveted dream in hopes of obtaining wealth, success, respect, happiness, and opportunity. What many people don't account for are the obstacles and unfairness of life that one might come into conflict with. While some can achieve the luxury of the American Dream, others are inadequate to do so due to immigration, mental, and financial obstacles. The

Walter's vision of his American Dream is opening up his own liquor business and being able to provide for his family, but after all the essentials required to keep the family afloat, Walter’s dream will always fall in second place. Due to their financial difficulties, after covering all of their expenses, Walter does not have any money left over to pursue his ambition of becoming prosperous and successful. They are in too much financial distress, even with the $10,000 check arriving, to be able to assist Walter in achieving his American Dream. Author Daniel Kowalski discusses how student loans were so financially draining that they crushed the American Dream for many in his piece, "How Government-Guaranteed Student Loans Killed the American Dream for

The obstacles one must come face to face with during the pursuit of the American Dream can be challenging enough, let alone having to overcome the mental battle that the dream encompasses. A Times article called "Why the American Dream Is Making You Unhappy" by Ruth Whippman discusses the negative effects of the American Dream. For example, Whippman states, "The American Dream has become the mass production of unrealistic expectations. The constant thrum of the ‘you can be anything you want to be’ mantra has created a low-level sense of inadequacy and anxiety in American life, where anything short of greatness can start to feel like failure" (Source F). Because it is widely believed that everyone can accomplish the American Dream, people tend to give up or begin to doubt their abilities when things get difficult. This leads to a negative mental attitude that eventually makes people give up on their dreams altogether. While some only need to overcome the perilous path leading to the American Dream, others must first overcome another path lined with difficulties and obstacles in order to begin their