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Essays over the evolution of the american dream
The american dream evolution
Essays over the evolution of the american dream
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The Non-existent American Fantasy What is the “American Dream”? Work hard, climb the ladders of society, and achieve economic prosperity for oneself and family. However, what of those who fail to do so and drown to the bottom of disparity? They are generally looked down upon and mostly ignored. In “Is a Hard Life Inherited?”
In this essay, Brandon King spoke about the American Dream. King portrayed the American Dream as a “land in which life should be better and richer and fuller for everyone with opportunity for each according to ability and achievements, regardless of status or circumstances”(610). As King proceeds on, He questioned the state of the so-called " American Dream”. Some states that this dream has been long forgotten. Destroyed by the Great Recession and the economic hardship that many Americans had to face.
Although seen as one dream of self prostration and wealth, the American Dream differs from person to person. As many people come to find out,“Wealth, rank, or imposing name counted for nothing,” (Source E). Society implements the idea of wealth and riches to impose self value; however, it is not money that makes a person happy. Riches and fame only last a certain amount of time, and if that it taken, a person will not have anything left. The American Dream suggests that any status of a person can bring themselves from their social class and make something of themselves; therefore, most infer this means money.
The Hopeless American Dream Human Nature is inherently corruptible. We take naturally good things and we twist them until they take on a different meaning entirely. To me, the concept of the American Dream should be food for a starving man, and warmth for a cold one. It should be someone being able to acquire something that they don’t have, but desperately need. Some might say the Dream is the stereotypical nuclear family living in a quaint house with a white picket fence, or the opportunity to be whoever or whatever one wants.
The “American Dream” is a lifestyle that many citizens of the country fantasize about living. Yet, it’s shocking to think that this country is somewhere that poverty and luxury live only a block apart. The American culture is one that is despised by most and idolized by few. Some believe the nation to be ironically contradictive of how it is portrayed; they believe it to be an American nightmare rather than a dream. Others chase green cards and citizenship to socially move upward from blue collar customs to achieve a white picket fence lifestyle.
The American Dream is an ideal, but it can be compared to an advertisement for a product. It appeals to society, tempting those with its colorful claims of prosperity, wealth and freedom. Through hard work, anyone can live a life of smiles and backyard barbecues. However, much like an advertisement, there is more than meets the eye. The dark side of humanity reveals that people are willing to do deplorable things in order to attain goals.
Since the establishment of America, its citizens have longed for success. Individuals around the country have perpetually focused on the promise of high achievement, often called “the American Dream.” This highly-sought vision for American life serves as the motivating factor for many American interests such as financial stability or profitable business. However, the impulsive ambition of some individuals elicits significant difficulties on their path to prosperity. The overconfident and impetuous nature of those seeking the American dream not only reduces their chances of success, but also brings a greater degree of hardship.
The article highlights the growing trend of Americans prioritizing personal growth and well-being over material possessions. While pursuing material wealth and social status remains a significant aspect of the American Dream, the growing trend of Americans prioritizing personal growth and well-being shows that the ideal is evolving and adapting to changing societal values. Some may argue that the American Dream is an outdated and unrealistic ideal that is no longer relevant in today's world. However, the enduring popularity of the American Dream and its continued relevance in American culture and identity shows that it remains a crucial aspect of the American experience. The American Dream is an inclusive ideal that should be accessible to all Americans, regardless of race, gender, or socio-economic background.
Does the American Dream exist? The American Dream has been questioned on its legitimacy in whether it is fact or fiction. Writers have pondered this idea in many forms in their writing, poems, songs, and essays. The American Dream seems to be a complex phenomenon that cannot be explained yet so many long to achieve it.
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.
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.
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
Often, many people try to live and chase a dream, only to come and realize that it wasn’t what they had expected much less wanted in the first place. It is also seen at many times people striving to climb the ladder of success as well, and lacking the knowledge to know it is leaning on the wrong building. Through the various readings of America Now most readers often argue what is the dream being desperately chased, a closer examination can prove otherwise and easily explain that it all comes down to materialism, money, and overall not being satisfied with oneself. Society often confuses the difference between needs and wants.
Everyone has their own idea of the American Dream. Although everyone’s idea of the American Dream is similar, media has done a very good job at altering our ideas of that dream. The dream used to be to work hard and get a good job that you enjoy and to make good money, now however, the dream is to have to latest and best technology, make a lot of money but not take any pride in their job, and become famous and known from all of the stuff that you own. Although this may seem appealing, America’s media has distorted the people’s view on the American Dream.
America is known as a place you can be anything and anyone. For the most part, this remains true today, but the America dream is undergoing some changes. What once was held at high value is becoming less appealing. We live in a society where it's essential to have a source of income that’s just how life is. Countless of movies and TV shows portray this fantasy which a man or women have everything they need and want, but feel some void in their lives.
