Thanksgiving: The American Dream

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In a time of relentless materialism, America has become one of the largest growing economies in the world. With the growth of the rigorous economy, class divisions between the poor and the wealthy creates a further gap. Most Americans want to become rich so that poverty is not an issue. However, the poor classes pay attention to the little blessings each day that most upper classes do not. In solution to these problems, Pablo Picasso represents the American Dream for all classes by saying, “I’d like to live as a poor man with lots of money.” With increased materialism in America, rich Americans have forgotten the values of the important necessities in life. However, the tradition of Thanksgiving and spreading kindness in life help to develop …show more content…

Thanksgiving celebration started with the landing of the Pilgrims in America in the year in 1621 after their first harvest. The Pilgrims also gave thanks to God for helping them through the struggles in the adaptation to the new environment and meeting the Native Americans who helped the Pilgrims with strategies for survival. Thanksgiving is one of the brightest times in America with a big feast, reunion of families, and most importantly, thanking others for their acts of altruism. In the painting of Norman Rockwell’s Freedom from Want, the family members are gathered around with big smiles. The title summons up the purpose of Thanksgiving, which is freeing oneself from desires by taking time to look around one’s surroundings. There are millions of reasons to give thanks each day, small or big. Giving back to others in need is one of the ways to increase “voluntary …show more content…

In Pablo Picasso’s quote “I’d like to live as a poor man with lots of money,” the difficult struggles in the classes of poor and the rich is seen with the rigors of survival in the growing economy of America. Although most upper and middle class Americans have a hard time in giving thanks to what the Earth provides for the society everyday, some have learned to contain “voluntary poverty” within themselves. Secondly, Thanksgiving frees Americans, at least temporarily, from their desires. Lastly, the influence from one or two people can lead to America’s movement into a person with a humble heart on the inside with enough money to survive in

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