Many argue the point that the American dream is too materialistic since we work towards the goals of acquiring feel good comforts. In fact I do not believe this is true and us as Christians should strive towards achieving our goals. There is no point to life if you are to just stay in one spot and never move. This is a topic that sparks debate often but is typically brushed off since the typical American mind set is on getting bigger and better materials.
In Deuteronomy it says “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you” (Deuteronomy 31:6, NIV). People tend to jump to conclusions without first educating themselves. A Christian with the
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He also believed that to achieve this you must get away “On october 28, he caught a ride with a long-haul trucker into Needles, California” (Krakauer, 32). It is true that in most cases to achieve your goals you must get away since most people will hold you down. If you do not walk your own path in life you will become easily side tracked by others. McCandless set goals for himself, his goals were to leave everyone and everything behind and move on with life so that he could self benefit. In most cases we do things that benefit ourselves, this is where many spark arguments. Many claim that the American dream is to materialistic, which in some cases is true but also false. The ones who poke fun at those who are on the road to achieving their dream often have materialistic feel good objects in their life as well. It is simply human nature to reward ourselves otherwise we would have no drive. There are those who interrupt the American dream as more of a journey, which is the way Mccandless viewed it as. But even McCandless dream was a feel good comfort, going out into the wild was his luxury. Since many argue that the American dream is too materialistic, they themselves do not totally understand what they are
For centuries, the American Dream has motivated citizens of the United States to go above and beyond in their efforts through life, yet not everyone is hoping to reach the same outcome. The stereotypical prosperous dream was for the average individual to have a successful job with a supportive and wealthy family. However, for some, their idealized version of the American Dream is different. Although the American Dream came in variations, a commonality within all of them was the pursuit of happiness. In the epilogue of The Epic of America, James Truslow Adams argues his idea that the American Dream cannot be defined by one type of accomplishment or triumph. He claims that the American Dream cannot be defined by one type of achievement or particular success, reiterating the fact that the dream is not about tangible goods creating a sense of artificial happiness, but every individual seeking to fulfill their utmost potential. Adams saw that the American Dream was eroding into a need for material possessions, causing him to combat the shift and attempt to preserve the original idea. This theory is echoed in Jeannette Walls’ memoir, The Glass Castle. Despite being hindered by
How many individuals have gone to extreme lengths to reevaluate who they are as a person, to find their purpose? Christopher McCandless was an outrageous individual who was not afraid to push the boundaries, because of his dauntless behavior people questioned his sanity. Many people referred to Chris as a selfish person for not looking back when he decided to go into the wilderness. Christopher McCandless was not a selfish person because he has inspired many individuals to not be afraid and just go into the wild. Chris made an excellent choice by leaving; people dwell differently, on his journey he inspired many, and he hasn’t once took advantage of the opportunities he was given by those he come across in his journey. People didn’t agree with Chris’s decision to pack and leave. In chapter 8 of Into the Wild John Krakauer includes letters that he receives from people that did not agree, and believed that Chris was a selfish person Most of the letters that John Krakauer received were nasty and unnecessary; they were letters of individuals expressing their opinion on Christopher McCandless. “McCandless had already gone over the edge and just happen to hit rock bottom in Alaska.”(Jans) nobody deserves to die, especially not a horrific death like Christopher McCandless. Cristopher McCandless past because of starvation and possibly poisoned by a wrong plant he consumed. His decomposing body weighing only sixty seven pounds was discovered in the Alaska terrier inside a rustic old bus that was located twenty five miles west of Healy, and was used as a halfway boundary.. His body was discovered by a group of people, who rescued his body and found Chris. Those letters expressed the opinions of many; the people believed Chris was childish ...
...st. He wanted them to strive for excellence like himself. McCandless wanted the best for everyone. This started to bring out the transcendentalist that was boiling inside of him. He knew he had to get out and achieve his goal in life, and that is exactly what he did. Christopher McCandless is admirable for not only trying to help other achieve their absolute highest potential, but for also self-actualizing himself in the process.
“The author describes a man who had given away a small fortune, forsaken a loving family, abandoned his car, watch and map and burned the last of his money before traipsing off into the ‘wilderness’ west of Healy” (Krakauer 71). Even though some believe that he was crazy and he was just like every other energetic young guys who think they can just go into the wilderness and survive, McCandless was different, his mentality was not the same as other people which is why he was so determined to go accomplish his dream, he was not thinking in the world's way he had his own view on life that was deeper than other people. He did not survive but he did what he set his mind to and I believe that is all that would have mattered to
Thoreau states, “I did not wish to live what was not life, living is so dear; nor did I wish to practise resignation, unless it was quite necessary.” I truly believe that McCandless took this adventure in order to be able to live his own life the way he wanted to with no problems and without the cost of letting others make his decisions for him; hence never accepting help from others. McCandless understood what he was getting himself into, he understood that it would be difficult, he understood it would take a toll on his body and he understood that he could possibly die. With the knowledge of this it was his own decision, his own ideas and thirst for adventure that lead him into the
Achieving the American Dream has been the ideal for people living in the United States for decades. People believed that the way to get there was through hard work, also known as the “Protestant work ethic”. The American Dream can vary depending on the person. Some people think that owning a house with a white picket-fence is the American Dream while others think that it is becoming a celebrity with a lot of money.
... or materialistic belongings, the goal of home ownership. “The viability of the American Dream is not in question,” Kamp argues, nor is it the acceptance of nothing less than everything. The dream initiated as a set of ideals, not specific goals, and perhaps there comes a time when a reassessment is needed to ground ourselves and get back to a humble mindset of the phrase from the second sentence of the Declaration's of Independence: the pursuit of Happiness.
In 1931 when the American Dream arose, Americans believed that the harder one worked, the more one would prosper (Meacham, 2012). In other words, they strongly believed that the American Dream was gaining a better, richer, happier life. Today, the American Dream is still hoping to earn a college degree, get a good job, buy a house, and start a family, but according to MetLife’s fifth annual survey, 41% of the respondents said it was about personal fulfillment, while most American’s say it is out of reach for many (White, ...
However, the perception of American Dream has changed into materialism lifestyle due to the emergence of new money everywhere. I see American Dream in this era as a product of cultural environment which has a concept of glamorous and luxurious living that brainwashed the society. The goal of the American Dream here is to live life to the fullest by partying and climbing up the social
...elligence to help him last an extended period of time in the Alaskan wilderness. In truth, McCandless was someone who wanted to find himself. He wanted to get away from a life in which he could not find fulfilment, which is something many others would be able to relate to. Although most people would not go to such extremes to find fulfilment, everyone has a different way of finding happiness and going after what their heart truly desires. For McCandless, his desire was to live out in the wild. Unfortunately, this man of great character did not succeed in getting out alive. However, that does not change the fact that he tried. McCandless knew what he wanted for himself and he persisted, regardless of the obstacles he faced. He put an incredible amount of effort into accomplishing his goals and never gave up, and that is why Christopher McCandless is someone to admire.
Despite how impossible it is, every person tries to achieve his or her dream so they can be happy or successful. The American Dream is being more powerful or better than anyone was before. In his stories Fitzgerald argues that this “American Dream” cannot be reached. No matter what it is, be it topping the social ladder, or getting the girl, or just being satisfied with one’s life, it just cannot be reached. There is always something stopping one from achieving one’s dream. Whether it is disadvantages or limitations sprung from social status, or other uncontrollable barriers blocking the dream, it is not something that can ever truly be enjoyed.
Chris McCandless was a bit of a drifter, but when he died, he had achieved his dream and passed away happily. “If we admit that human life can be ruled by reason, then all possibility of life is destroyed” (Krakauer). This represents his American Dream because Chris believed in doing what you wanted when you want to, part of his American Dream, contributing to his overall happiness in life. “I now walk into the wild” (Krakauer). Chris walked alone into the brush of Alaska, just to get away from his demons and be truly happy. This was his American Dream because it was what made him the happiest before he died. “Chris McCandless was at peace, serene as a monk gone to God” (Krakauer). Chris had achieved his dream once he reached Alaska. We know this because if the American Dream is doing what will make you happy, and he died happy in Alaska, Chris had achieved his Dream. I believe that is what made it okay for him to pass happily, the fact that he had escaped his demons and achieved his dream. Just as ...
The American Dream can be a motivational fire, but it takes a lot of hard work and dedication, one must focus on building a balanced life for themselves, participate in honest work and practice their craft to have marketable skills that just stick out from the competition. People work their whole lives making money so they can satisfy their desires. The idea of being able to purchase the items people have always dreamed of is an achievement in itself. Having a great family, owning a home and having beautiful things to fill it with is a common dream amongst people. Many people take pride in what they possess.
With America actually being seen as the land of assurance, the American dream is usually associated with the freedom and opportunity of gaining prosperity, recognition, power, triumph, and contentment. On the surface, this dream appears virtually delighted, offering individuals the exceptional hope of accomplishing success despite of one’s race, religion, or family history. The American Dream is accurately what it seems to be the chance of perfect lying nearby the corner. However, the actual nature of this dream prohibit the pleasure of the victory one has earned, as the desire is always demanding one to work a slight harder and gain a slightly more.
When the term ‘American Dream’ was first mentioned in 1931 by James Truslow Adams, he described it 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.” (Clark). When Adams mentioned the term, it had much more of an idealistic meaning, rather than the materialistic meaning it has in modern society. At the time of it’s mention, the dream meant that prosperity was available to everyone. In the beginning, the American Dream simply promised a country in which people had the chance to work their way up through their own labor and hard work (Kiger). Throughout history, the basis of the dream has always been the same for each individual person. It