The American Dream: John F. Kenedy

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The American Dream John F. Kennedy Everyone has his or her own definition of what “The American Dream” is and what is means. Some, however, may believe this dream is in reality, a cultural nightmare. This “dream” was first created as a set of ideals and ethics that would be promised to all citizens in America. James Truslow Adams first used this notion in the novel, The Epic America. He writes: The American Dream is 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. It is a difficult dream for the European upper classes to interpret adequately, and too many of us ourselves have grown weary and mistrustful of it. It is not a dream of motor cars and high wages merely, but a dream of social order in which each man and each woman shall be able to attain to the fullest stature of which they are innately capable, and be recognized by others for what they are, regardless of the fortuitous circumstances of birth or position. (Adams, 1931) Adams defines The American Dream by four main criteria; equality, prosperity, social mobility, and appreciation of others on their characteristics and not prejudice factors like those of race, sex, and class (Shibnauth, n.d.). President John F. Kennedy echoes these views in his attempt to preserve and continue the legacy and belief of The American Dream. John F. Kennedy used the criteria of The American Dream to help him shape a better nation, which makes him one of America’s most influential presidents. John “Jack” Fitzgerald Kennedy, or more commonly known as JFK, was born on May 29, 1917 in Brookline, Massachusetts. He was born into a very wealthy and politically driven, Irish-Catholic f... ... middle of paper ... ...The American Dream to help him shape a better nation, which makes him one of America’s most influential presidents. References Adams, J. T. (1931). The epic of America. Boston, [Mass.: Little, Brown, and Co.. American President: Biography of John Fitzgerald Kennedy. (n.d.). Miller Center. Retrieved from http://millercenter.org/president/kennedy/essays/ biography/print JFK. (n.d.). John F. Kennedy Presidential Library & Museum. Retrieved from http://www.jfklibrary.org/JFK.aspx Shibnauth, N. (n.d.). The American Dream: Reading John F. Kennedy’s Inaugural Speech against Whedon’s The Avengers.. Academia.edu. Retrieved from http://www.academia.edu/3783915/The_American_Dream_Reading_John_F._Kennedys_Inaugural_Speech_against_Whedons_The_Avengers SparkNotes Editors. (2005). SparkNote on John F. Kennedy. Retrieved from http://www.sparknotes.com/biography/jfk/

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