The Impossible American Dream
explanatory Essay
958 words
The American Dream is known to be a hope for a better, richer, happier life for all citizens of every class. For almost all Americans, this entails earning a college degree, gaining a good job, buying a house, and starting a family. Although this seems wonderful, a large amount of the American population believes that the Dream has changed immensely because of increased prices in today’s society, the price of tuition being highly unaffordable, as well as the unemployment rate skyrocketing and weaker job growth. While some American citizens believe it has changed, others believe that the American Dream has not changed, but point out it is harder to obtain.
There are multiple factors that make the American Dream come true. Researchers show that almost all American citizens believe the American Dream is still what it was when it first came about. The mindset of the American Dream is not necessarily changing. What are changing are the factors that make the American Dream come true. With prices changing drastically since 1966, to tuition being unaffordable, and unemployment rising and weaker job growth, most of the population believe it takes a lot more work to achieve this Dream than it did back in Generation X.
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, ...
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... the American Dream goes, it will ALWAYS be there for most American citizens. However, whether or not we can achieve the American Dream will be the true battle.
Works Cited
Foroohar, R. (2011). What Ever Happened to Upward Mobility? (Cover story). Time, 178(19), 26-34.
Hacker, A., & Dreifus, C. (2010). Are Colleges Worth the Price of Admission? Some Are. Chronicle Of Higher Education, 56(40), A25-A26.
Hicken, M. (2013). Average cost to raise a kid: $241,080. CNNMoney. Retrieved from http://money.cnn.com.
Home prices rise at fastest pace since 2006 (2013). CBSNews. Retrieved from http://www.cbsnews.com.
Meacham, J. (2012). Keeping the Dream Alive. (Cover story). Times, 180(1), 26-39.
White, M.C. (2011). American Dream Deferred: We now embrace more modest, personal goals. Times. Retrieved from http://www.business.time.com.
In this essay, the author
- Explains that the american dream has changed drastically since generation x. with newer technology and efficient ways of living, everything has gone up.
- Explains that they chose to research whether the american dream has necessarily changed, or if it has stayed the same, and is just harder to attain because of today's society.
- Explains that the american dream is a hope for better, richer, happier life for all citizens of every class.
- Explains that college education is supposed to be the largest financial outlay we will ever make. however, if one isn't guaranteed a job after finishing college, trying to pay off loans and being okay financially could be huge struggle.
- Explains that most americans believe the american dream is still what it was to begin with. the housing market is rising, tuition is unaffordable, unemployment rates skyrocketing, and job growth is weaker.
Related
- analytical
- opinion
- What Is The American Dream Still Alive Analysisanalytical essayEverybody has their own definition of living the “American Dream” and although they have their own definition, they all end up saying the same things. A big house, a family, enough money to feed their family and do other things around town, a job, success, peace, love, and happiness are all things that qualifies one for living the American dream. Some people however, do not believe in the American dream because it is hard to achieve even if you are taking all the right steps to achieve it. In these two articles “What is the American Dream in 2016”, and “The American Dream is Alive – These People Prove It”, you will be able to identify both attitudes towards the American dream.
In this essay, the author
- Explains that everyone has their own definition of living the "american dream" but they all end up saying the same things. a big house, a family, enough money, success, peace, love, and happiness are all things that qualifies one to live the american dream.
- Analyzes how sean bryant's article, "what is the american dream in 2016", shows that the american dream is still alive, but it has changed dramatically. jim motavalli, in the article "the american drive is alive – these people prove it", believes that if one puts their mind to it, one can reach the dream.
- Analyzes how sean bryant focuses on the worries of u.s. citizens which prevent them from achieving their goals or the american dream.
- Analyzes how bryant explains that college students are spending a lot more on their education and coming out of school and into the real world with far more debt than they can handle.
- Analyzes how bryant discusses the differences between blue collar and white collar workers in the employments woes section.
- Explains that healthcare worries are another issue pertaining to the american dream. bryant included factual evidence from a world-wide popular magazine.
- Analyzes how bryant's article describes the issues that prohibits american citizens from reaching the american dream. jim motavalli writes in his article "the american dream is alive – these people prove it".
- Analyzes jim motavalli's quote about the spirit of self-determinism that lives on today. he mentions sara blakely, shahid khan, and john paul dejoria.
- Describes sara blakely as a georgia-based fax machine sales trainer who cut the feet out of her control-top pantyhose to make it disappear.
- Explains that shahid khan, a newly arrived immigrant from pakistan, washed dishes for $1.20 an hour in the united states. he now owns flex-n-gate, which supplies car bumpers to automakers.
- Narrates how john paul dejoria, who lived in his car, founded a hair care company called johnpaul mitchell systems, which sold shampoos and conditioners.
- Explains that people view the american dream in different ways. bryant says it is impossible, but motavalli says that it's possible. failure is a part of life, just have to keep striving towards greatness.
1360 wordsRead More - The American Dream In The Great Gatsby Essayanalytical essayThe American dream has been an idea since America was first founded. When thinking of the American dream, one may think of a person rising from being poor to becoming rich, finding love, and gaining wealth and power. People’s views are constantly changing about the American dream, although it is generally based on independency, freedom, and a desire for something better. In the early days many wanting to acquire the American dream just wanted to own a lot of land and start a family, however in present times people wanting to acquire the American dream focus on more materialistic things. One may want a big house, a life of ease, and a nice car. The American dream has transformed into focusing on material items as an indication of being successful.
In this essay, the author
- Explains that the american dream is based on independency, freedom, and a desire for something better.
- Analyzes how gatsby's view of wealth has not prepared him for the corrupt, snobby group of people that he surrounds himself with.
- Analyzes how daisy and tom's marriage proves the corruption of the american dream. they are unhappy and want something better. tom wants to find excitement when cheating on his wife with myrtle.
- Analyzes how wealth had numbing effects on tom and daisy. when gatsby and myrtle get killed, neither one of them calls nor sends regards.
- Analyzes how the shallow people that make up east and west egg represent the corruption that materialism can bring. gatsby's idealism has not prepared him for the corrupt world in which he lives.
610 wordsRead More - The American Dreamanalytical essayThe American Dream 1. Give an outline of how the American Dream is interpreted in text 2, 3 and 4: The second text: “Arnold Schwarzenegger Recalls Lessons From 25 Years as a U.S citizen – Learn English, Participate in Politics, and give back”, from 2008 by Arnold Schwarzenegger, mentions the immigrants who are keen to fulfil their dreams in America – ‘the Promised Land’. The newcomers have to learn three vital things if they want to act out the American Dream. First of all, it is essential to learn the English language so you can collaborate in the society and adapt to the culture.
In this essay, the author
- Analyzes how the american dream is interpreted in texts 2, 3 and 4. arnold schwarzenegger mentions immigrants who are keen to fulfil their dreams in america — the promised land.
- Analyzes how anya kamenetz's "whose american dream is it, anyway?" questions the americans' interpretation of the american dream.
- Compares the language, tone, and style of arnold schwarzenegger's texts 1 and 2. both are published in the same media, namely both on a website.
- Opines that the american dream features goals in life that people have to aim at before they can achieve it. martin luther king was an excellent example of this.
616 wordsRead More - Prejudice Destroyed the American Dreamopinion essayYears 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.
In this essay, the author
- Opines that the "american dream" is no longer an attainable idea, only a fantasy.
- Explains that the american dream is the belief that american citizens all have an equal chance to succeed socially and economically, regardless of predating circumstances. multiple discriminations make it impossible for everyone to have the same chance.
- Analyzes how racial discrimination is illegal, but it doesn't deter it, especially concerning the american dream, as it proves the chance for success is not the same for everyone.
- Analyzes how dan rathers' retelling of trung dung's quote proves that if an immigrant can achieve success, everyone can and the american dream is real.
- Opines that gender is important in the chance of success as well. males make more than females with the same level of education.
- Explains that social class is a very important factor proving everyone does not have an equal chance to become successful.
- Explains that the inequality of wealth is another reason the american dream is dead. the top 1% of our society controls more than 34% of the wealth.
- Explains that the american dream is the belief that everyone has an equal chance, therefore everyone should have to apply the same amount of effort.
- Opines that the myth of the american dream no longer exists in american society today. prejudices like race, gender, social class, and economic inequality prevent every american from having the same chance at success.
- Cites alger, horatio, and anyon, jean. "from social class and the hidden curriculum of work."
- Summarizes harlon l. dalton's rereading america: cultural contexts for criticalthinking and writing, 8th edition.
- Presents critical thinking and writing, 8th edition, by gary columbo, robert cullen, and bonnie lisle. the american dream: stories from the heart of a nation.
- Explains that stephen cruz's book, rereading america: cultural contexts for criticalthinking and writing, was published by the u.s. census bureau.
1018 wordsRead More - Through the course of change in the world- either through prosperity, capitalism or greed- people have lost focus with the real meaning of 'the American dream'. It is no longer the gamely aspirations of living life to the fullest, providing a better life for yourself and or others; instead, a pursuit for those materialistic aspects in life.
In this essay, the author
- Explains that the america dream signifies the inner dream that all men aspire to regardless of how trivial it may seem.
- Explains that the u.s.a. has been labelled since the dawn of its colonial era as a land of opportunity, giving us the understanding of the real 'american dream'.
- States that in the declaration of independence the founding fathers held certain truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, and that they are endowed by their creator with certain unalienable rights.
- Opines that people have lost focus with the real meaning of 'the american dream' through the course of change in the world through prosperity, capitalism or greed.
- Quotes american literae thomas wolfe's quote that every man has the right to live, work, be himself, and become whatever his manhood and vision combine to make him.
- Opines that this is the essence of the pure idealistic approach one should take towards life and the american dream.
- Analyzes how nick carraway shows how modern values have transformed the american dream's pure ideals into a scheme for materialistic power. the world of high society lacks any sense of morals or consequence.
- Analyzes how the novel represents the american dream within two facets, with it once being a pure ideal, but now false and corrupted hope that is forever lost to the americans.
- Explains that gatsby aspired to greater things at an early age; he wanted to 'better' himself.
- Opines that jimmy was bound to get ahead. he always had some resolves like this or something.
- Analyzes how gatsby stretched out his arms toward the dark water in a curious way, and, far as they were from him, he was trembling.
- Opines that "gatsby believed in the green light, the orgiastic future that year by year recedes before us."
- Explains that tom and daisy were careless people who smashed up things and creatures and then retreated back into their money or their vast carelessness, or whatever it was that kept them together.
- Opines that if i told him the truth, that fellow had it coming to him.
- Narrates how gatsby and i leaned down and took the small reluctant hand. he kept looking at the child with surprise.
- Describes the inexhaustible charm that rose and fell in it, the jingle and cymbals' song of it. high in a white palace the golden girl.
- Explains that the american dream is a dream of life being better, richer, and fuller for everyone, with opportunity for each according to ability or achievement.
- States that in the declaration of independence the founding fathers held certain truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, and that they are endowed by their creator with certain unalienable rights.
- Argues that the american dream has become the pursuit of material prosperity — people work more hours to get bigger cars, fancier homes, the fruits of prosperity for their families, but have less time to enjoy their prosperity.
- Quotes american literae thomas wolfe's quote that every man has the right to live, work, be himself, and become whatever his manhood and vision combine to make him.
- Analyzes how fitzgerald presents the original aspects of the american dream along with its modern face to show that the once impervious dream is now lost forever.
- Analyzes how james gatz's hard-working ambition and a thirst for adventure were part of being an american hero.
- Analyzes how money is the main culprit in gatsby's death. it replaces their positions in the american dream with materialism. myer wolfsheim portrays the dark underworld of society.
- Analyzes how the upper class is made-up of heartless citizens who have achieved success at the cost of dehumanisation and the selling of their souls.
- Analyzes how the characters in the great gatsby are mere examples of fitzgerald's message- the old american dream has been replaced with money, greed, and materialism.
2422 wordsRead More - The American Dream And The Reality Of The American Nightmareanalytical essayDue to continuous changes in the concept of the American Dream throughout its prolonged existence, it is difficult to have one sole definition. The American Dream has always been a major concept that stems off of many ideas such as liberty, prosperity, equality, and opportunity, which still exists, to some degree, in our vision of the Dream today. America has always been known as the “land of opportunity” and has always emphasized the importance of future generations surpassing the success of their previous ones. But just because our present concept of the Dream may seem to overlap past concepts, it does not mean the Dream has remained what it was in the past. Actually, it is an entirely new image, morphed by social, political, and economic issues. What has it become? A society corrupted by materialism and deteriorated by the failing economy, leaving younger Americans hopeless and older Americans fearful of America’s future. It’s alarming that Americans are constantly taking their rights and freedom for granted, always wanting more than they can get– and quite honestly, what they can get is not even that much to begin with. As our economy collapses into chaotic hardships and our desires override our moral obligations, the American Dream has ultimately become the American Nightmare.
In this essay, the author
- Explains that the american dream is a major concept that stems off of many ideas such as liberty, prosperity, equality, and opportunity, which still exists in our vision of the dream today.
- Argues that the fall of the american dream is due to the collapsing economy, which drags american opportunity down with it.
- Analyzes how the wealth gap between younger and older generations has been widened by the extended economic downturn, causing young adults to be consumed by their housing and college debts.
- Explains that the fear of failure is all-consuming for many people, especially when one feels as if they failed themselves.
- Analyzes how the american dream is destroyed by society by the lack of ethics and morals.
- Explains that as economic hardships dramatically increase, so does the rate of depression and anxiety disorders, and the average american medicine intake.
- Argues that the government is responsible for the lack of morals and ethics, as are the american citizens.
1403 wordsRead More - The American Fallacyanalytical essayGeorge Carlin once said, “They call it the American Dream because you have to be asleep to believe it.” Unfortunately, he wasn’t too far from the truth. This American Dream once suggested that hard work would pay off over time. The big house and shiny new car, albeit cliché and materialistic, were the goals through which the people of this country sought rigorous education and a decent salary. Now, with unemployment at an all time high and millions of Americans living below or on the poverty line, it’s difficult to determine whether the dream is to obtain these things or to simply “get by”. Throughout the years, the idea of the American Dream deteriorated amidst a variety of unfavorable socio-economic factors. Amongst these are a low morale, unequal opportunity, a widening gap between the rich and poor, decreased employment opportunity, and the rising cost of higher education.
In this essay, the author
- Analyzes how the american dream deteriorated amidst unfavorable socio-economic factors such as low morale, unequal opportunity, decreased employment opportunities, and rising costs of higher education.
- Explains that 40% of all american wealth belongs to 1% of the country's population, leaving no middle ground. the aristocracy controls vast corporations and millions in stock investments, providing easy access to policies that will protect their wealth.
- Explains that the decreased availability of jobs for all americans, both graduates and veterans, is due to many factors both within and outside of the country.
- Explains that the cost of a college degree has doubled due to the increase in student debt from expensive, incessant loans.
- Opines that the us population is increasingly divided by wealth.
737 wordsRead More - Is the American Dream Still Possible?analytical essayThe American Dream is so important to our country and especially for our generation to take seriously. The American Dream is the opportunity to reach the goals one sets for themselves. It is about having your dream job and life you have always fantasized about. The dream is also about having freedom and equality. The American Dream was much easier to attain a few decades ago compared to today. However, it is still possible. The economy was better fifty years ago than it is today. People are in greater debt now and the United States is in higher debt than it was fifty years ago. The American Dream is still possible despite the lack of improvement within social mobility in American society over the past years. The American dream is achievable by being able to live a middle-class lifestyle and that lifestyle is obtainable through hard work and perseverance, even in light of obstacles such as racism. “The American Dream is still achievable, however, the good news is that people at the bottom are just as likely to move up the income ladder today as they were 50 years ago” (O’Brien 1). The ability to attain the American Dream is hindered by race, the middle class, and giving up facing adversity.
In this essay, the author
- Opines that the american dream is important to our country and especially for our generation to take seriously.
- Argues that racism still plays a big factor in today's society as it did fifty years ago.
- Analyzes o'brien, matthew, and the atlantic's "why is the american dream dead in the south?"
- Analyzes how the middle class connects the wealthy to the poor and makes the american dream a reality.
635 wordsRead More - Summary Of American Dream By Brandon Kinganalytical essayPeople who work hard enough become successful and build a good life for themselves and their family. Millions of Americans and others who admire America have believed this for generations. However, is this still true? Brandon King debates his interpretation of the American Dream in his published work, “The American Dream: Dead, Alive, or on Hold?” During his essay, the speaker highlights how important the American Dream is to the economy and providing a distance from inequality. The speaker emphasizes his belief that the American Dream is still alive within America and that people must work hard to achieve it. When discussing the American Dream, King will agree that the idea is alive and thriving in the minds of Americans; yet, I argue that the idea is on hold within American society due to lack of upward social independence and economic mobility.
In this essay, the author
- Analyzes how brandon king debates his interpretation of the american dream in his published work, "the american dream: dead, alive, or on hold?" king agrees that the idea is alive and thriving in the minds of americans.
- Explains that social independence implies that the amount of help a person takes from other individuals is equivalent to or less than what he or she gains in return.
- Explains that weight applied to only one side of a double-sided scale will physically contact the bottom while the other side will stay in the air. if an individual is always in need of help, they cannot help themselves or others.
- Defines freedom as the ability to do anything a person wants that would bring them happiness in life without worrying about the difficulties of work or money.
- Explains that economic mobility is the ability of an individual or family to improve or weaken their economic status.
- Explains that the american dream is an arrangement of standards in which freedom integrates the opportunity for achievement and upward progress for families, accomplished through diligent work in society.
- Argues that king's vision of the american dream contains both opportunity and money.
- Explains that family owned businesses are obsolete due to excessive taxes, over regulation, and rapid growth of popular franchises. the american dream seems like an intangible goal that americans must chase in a never-ending cycle.
- Argues that king believes the american dream is alive, but morphs into a practical idea accustomed to the middle-class lifestyle.
- Opines that the idea of being on hold is valid when observing issues pertaining to status, work, and education.
- Explains that students' decision of not attending college hurts them socially, but also economically. the middle-class cannot progress in economic mobility because without college, they remain in the middle class status.
- Argues that the american dream is on hold due to the conflict between social independence and economic mobility.
1937 wordsRead More - Social Mobility In The American Dreamopinion essayThe American Dream, recognized as being the earning of a college degree, the owning of one 's own home, taking vacations and experiencing upward social mobility, is a very important belief that helped create the success that America is today. Many people believe that anyone who works hard and has determination can achieve this American Dream. In this day and age, experiencing the American Dream is believed to no longer be as available to Americans as it once was. The economy and corporate America have had a strong impact on the availability to reach this state of success. Everyone wants to live the American Dream, whether they know it or not. I have never met a person who did not want to become successful. Even I had a strong belief that the
In this essay, the author
- Opines that the american dream is no longer available to all americans as it once was. max weber introduced a concept known as life chances.
- Explains that social mobility is the main reason as to why the american dream is no longer available as it once was.
- Opines that social mobility affects people's chances of climbing the social class ladder.
702 wordsRead More