The American dream is something everybody talks about, even people from different countries want the American dream. The definition of the American dream to me is to chase after your goals and strive for whatever you want to become in life. Even though wealth is a big thing in this world and a lot of people think that’s what the American dream is. But although you need money to survive and to live that is not all that you need to achieve an American dream as long as you follow your dreams. Money does play a part though in achieving the American dream because you need it to buy food and to have shelter and have clothes. In studies that have shown that whites are more likely to achieve their dreams more than blacks because on there incomes. Economic Policy said, “average wealth for white families is seven times higher than average wealth for black families”(Janelle Jones). Even though wealth can be completely different it doesn't define the fact you can achieve your …show more content…
Everything you have in life was bought, or you bought with money because it is the way of life. In the book, I recently read Scratch Beginnings by Adam Shepard he achieves his American dreams by going to Charleston, South Carolina, and starting over with only $25 with him and the clothes he has on. Adam Shepard writes, “A dollar here and there would exhaust my start-up capital very quickly”(5). This is one thing that can help you achieve your dreams is to save up money. Also saving money is by discount shopping and also limiting shopping like shopping at Goodwill and Marshalls. Those who believe the dream is dead may say why we need to cut back on spending if we have the money to spend or save up money. That could be true if you're fortunate enough to be able to spend money but some people are not that fortunate to be able to spend that much money so discount shopping can help a lot of people achieving the American
The American Dream is starting with nothing and through hard work and determination one can achieve millions of dollars and all the happiness one can handle. This may not be true, if that person tries to buy the past to regain the happiness he will never succeed and mostly likely end up very unhappy. A good example of this in fiction is F. Scott Fitzgerald's, The Great Gatsby. Fitzgerald criticizes the American dream in his novel, The Great Gatsby, by showing Jay Gatsby's tragic flaw, his belief that money can buy happiness and his love for Daisy.
Truth Behind the American Dream: Is the American Dream only a dream or can it ever be achieved? In the United States, the basic motto is to attend the American Dream. It is the ideal that every US citizen should have an equal opportunity to achieve success and prosperity through hard work, determination, and initiative. It does not matter if a person was born into a poor family; he or she has equal opportunities to attain the American Dream. The American Dream basically means success in life with a nice house, a job, knowledge and especially the pursuit of happiness.
The "American Dream" is a phrase that has been idolized internationally for many decades. And with good reason. The original definition of the American Dream is from James Truslow Adams in 1931: "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." In short, happiness and success comes to those who are ambitious and work hard. With America's accessible education, endless possibilities, and second chances, the American Dream is closer to reach than most people realize.
First, what is the American dream? According to David Wallechinsky, “the traditional American Dream is based on the belief that hardworking citizens can improve their lives, pay their monthly bills without worry, give their children a start to an even better life, and still save enough to live comfortably after they retire” (1). “The American Dream” states, “It has always represented the possibility for individuals to succeed and live a life of wealth and comfort, made possible by both the political and economic attitudes in the USA and the individual’s own hard work” (1). Daniella Nicole adds that “in years past, chasing the American Dream meant the sky was the limit. . .” (1).
Years ago, the United States of America was the prime example of prosperity and opportunity. In recent years, in the worst recession since the Great Depression, unemployment and interest rates have skyrocketed. The “American Dream” is an idea that was once a commonly accepted ideology in this country. It has since become only a fallacy. The “American Dream” is no longer an attainable idea, only a fantasy. The “American Dream” is not a true dream that will ever be equally attainable by everyone.
To me the American Dream comes right back to being stable in a financial aspect. I hate to think in a mind set that everything Is about money but that’s how I view The American Dream. Since I was a little girl I have always had the American Dream drawn up in my mind. This was far before I knew how I would have the means to support it such as a college degree and the job after graduation. Both things that I am still seeking but closer and closer to achieving every day. My America Dream has always looked like a large white house, newly build on a corner lot. The garage will be on the side of the house and a long drive-way which will include my black Land
The American Dream is a term that has been used since the beginning of America’s history. It is a term whose meaning has been adjusted decade after decade as the world and our nation continues to change. The American Dream originated as a way to express the mystique of the American West that lay empty, a promise land. But, over the years, it has been extended to include the opportunity to become rich through hard work and the opportunity to break all racial, ethnic, and class barriers in order to give everyone an equal opportunity for success.
The American Dream is something that anyone no matter their background, social standings, or ethnicity can improve their life through hard work.
Consumption patterns portray the dynamic effect of the American Dream. The American Dream today is significantly different that it was fifty years ago. Today Americans work longer work hours, spend 40% more time watching T.V and 40% less time with their children (AGO 2001). “The avarice of mankind is insatiable,” claimed Aristotle when describing how the appetite of mankind is never satisfied (Durning). As every desire is satisfied a new one rises up to take its place (Durning). This is true for all people; we want more money, a better job, a new car, better benefits, on and on until suddenly it is clear that we have wasted our lives in search of something that actually never made us happy. A wise woman always told me “never have any expectations and you will always be pleasantly surprised”, the same holds true for consumption.
The American dream is the idea held by many in the United States of America that through hard work, courage and determination one can achieve prosperity.
People have different views on what the American dream really is. Brandon King questions whether people still believe in the American dream or have they completely lost their desire to achieve the American dream due to the recessions, economic hardships that Americans face. A survey in the 2009 New York Times shows that Americans perception of the American dream isn’t necessarily living large, they would much rather prefer being financially stable and secure for whatever obstacles may present itself in the near future. (Seelye 611). However, less common responses were that some Americans still believe that the American dream is owning a home or car and being able to buy other expensive goods. King says “I believe
What is the American Dream? There are a myriad of aspects to it, but one general idea: the ideal life. It is making a lot of money, being respected, and triumphing difficult situations. The American Dream has been pursued by many, but only few make it all the way.
"The American Dream" is that dream of a nation in which life should be better and richer and fuller for everyone, with options for each according to capacity or accomplishments. It is a dream of social stability in which each man and each woman shall be able to achieve to the fullest distinction of which they are essentially competent, and be distinguish by others for what they are, despite of the incidental conditions of birth or stance. The American Dream is often something that humanity wonders about. What is the American dream? Many people discover success in a range of things. There are many different definitions of the American Dream. However, the American Dream embraces prosperity, personal safety, and personal liberty. The American dream is a continually fluctuating set of ideals, reflecting the ideas of an era.
The American Dream has changed; it is no longer the same as it was fifty or even one hundred years ago. Today, people not only search for prosperity and wealth, but they also search for happiness, equality, and determination. The American Dream is for everyone, not just the rich. The term “The American Dream” is a term used to describe the American way of life in general. It is a noun stating “the idea that every US citizen should have an equal opportunity to achieve success and prosperity through hard work, determination, and initiative.” Dreams are not limited to just one social class, everyone has a different version of the American Dream but they all work together in a community to create an organized, working society. A dream is a cherished aspiration, ambition, or idea that is open to anyone.
The American Dream was and always will be something that makes America great. It allows those with aspirations to make them come true. In America alone needs is a dream and the motivation to carry out that dream. Ambition is the driving force behind the American Dream. It allows any one that has an aspiration, a desire, a yearning, to carry out the individual dream. It knows no bounds of race, creed, gender or religion. It stands for something great, something that every one can strive towards. A dream can be a desire for something great. In America, the American Dream allows dreams to become realities. According to Webster's New World Dictionary, the American Dream is defined as "An American social ideal that' stresses egalitarianism and especially material prosperity". To live this dream is to succeed. It allows anyone, rich or poor to have the opportunity to succeed. It is the ability to come from nothing and become so me thing. To succeed at any thing you do, you must have patience and persistence. It requires hard work, persistence and a desire for something better. To have these qualities and the desire and ambition to carry the moutis part of the American Dream.