I Hear America Singing: The American Dream
The American Dream is the ideal way to live in the United States. It sets a high expectation on life in America. Additionally, it compels foreigners to move to the United States because they strive for the perfect life that everyone seems to have there. But what exactly defines this “ideal” way to live? Some argue that the American Dream has shifted from the pursuit of freedom to be an individual to the pursuit of wealth and success. Although it may seem that the American Dream has changed its sole focus to the pursuit of wealth and success, the American Dream is, in fact, both the pursuit of freedom as well as success because they lead into each other. Firstly, the American Dream is not solely about money because having wealth and success …show more content…
And the only way to do great work is to love what you do” (Source #4). This implies that one does not find happiness with wealth, but rather with the freedom to do what one enjoys. Americans, like Steve Jobs, strive for contentment which is achieved through freedom. Therefore, since the American Dream is the ideal way to live, money is not the only factor involved. Most people are more content with freedom than with being rich. In Walt Whitman’s poem, “I Hear America Singing” (Source #2), he heard “America singing” and listed different types of Americans that were singing, such as mechanics, carpenters, masons, and wood-cutters. The “singing” symbolizes Americans that are in high spirits. All of the workers that he heard singing were middle and lower class Americans that did not get paid greatly for their jobs. This indicates that having heaps of money and success is not a necessary factor for a content life. Despite their lack of money, the workers mentioned in the poem are pleased with their lives and are heard singing because they have the freedom to participate in a job that they enjoy. For this reason, being rich is …show more content…
This argument fails to consider that the richest man felt lost after only not being able to do what he loved to do, which was his job. He then stated that happiness is found through the freedom to do what one enjoys rather than just money. In addition, there are many Americans who are happy with their lives and who do not have massive amounts of wealth. In fact, it is impossible to achieve wealth without freedom. Therefore, the American Dream is the pursuit of freedom, which then leads to wealth and success. Freedom brings more people contentment because of the wealth and success that follows. But, wealth and success is not a necessary factor in contentment as there are various amounts of people who are happy without it as well as rich people who are miserable with
Examples Of Deception In The Great Gatsby
990 Words | 4 PagesAlthough seen as one dream of self prostration and wealth, the American Dream differs from person to person. As many people come to find out,“Wealth, rank, or imposing name counted for nothing,” (Source E). Society implements the idea of wealth and riches to impose self value; however, it is not money that makes a person happy. Riches and fame only last a certain amount of time, and if that it taken, a person will not have anything left. The American Dream suggests that any status of a person can bring themselves from their social class and make something of themselves; therefore, most infer this means money.
Comparing The American Dream In The Great Gatsby And Their Eyes Were Watching God
881 Words | 4 PagesThe American dream is a dream of land in which life should be better and richer for everyone. It’s a land where people succeed to accomplish their ambition of a better life. Most of the people have a different way of defining this American Dream. Unfortunately, for some, it could mean wealth,status,or power whereas for others it could mean companionship, good morals,love,and amity. According to our Declaration of Independence, it entitles every man and woman the right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.
TED Talks: The American Dream
1309 Words | 6 PagesThe American dream is having equality, a voice to be heard and stability in one’s life. However, the American Dream is just that, a dream. It cannot be attained because of the power of our government, the ignorant minds of others and the constant want for more. What should be trivial factors in life, such as: race, gender, social class, wealth, etc., all have a significant effect on the impractical American dream. the “TED Talks” video proves this.
Examples Of Myrtle In The Great Gatsby
1354 Words | 6 Pages“The term “American Dream” is used in many ways, but it essentially is an idea that suggests that anyone in the U.S. can succeed through hard work and has the potential to lead a happy, successful life.” (McMahon). The American Dream, according to Google, is everybody can achieve wealth and through hard work, determination, and good fortune. For most people, the American Dream is for lower class people trying to climb the social ladder to be considered upper class.
Argumentative Essay: The American Dream
908 Words | 4 PagesThe American dream at one point was what drew people to American; the right to life, liberty, and the happiness. The American dream is the hope to acquire currency, large homes, raise a middle-class family, and pursue what brings people joy in life. But in the year 2016, the American dream becomes hard to believe in. The American dream may still exist, but it is not equally accessible to all Americans. This is true because the American dream is not affordable for everyone, it is not available to everyone from different degrees of education, and race and ethnicity creates large social barriers.
American Dream Is Achievable
1061 Words | 5 PagesNo matter who you are or where you have come from, you have undoubtedly heard of the American Dream. The idea that no matter who you are or where you have come from, you can do whatever it is you desire in America. What was once one the main driving forces for immigrants to flock to the new world, has slowly changed over the years, but still holds its value in the eyes of those who are looking for a promising new place to live. The American dream might not hold the same awe inspiring sound that it once did, but for many generations before ours, it was a beacon of hope that helped build the foundation that the United States was built on. And still today the American dream might not be as achievable as it once was, but it is still an important symbol to the American ideology.
How Does Social Class Affect The American Dream
1243 Words | 5 PagesThe American Dream is so essential to our country as it is an honor to reach your goals and make it a reality. The American Dream is the national ethos that people’s lives would be better and more abundant with many opportunities. The American Dream was more accessible to attain back in the days, however, changed over the years. Although the “American Dream” is still possible, many people, minorities are affected by the lack of improvement in social mobility in our society. The American Dream is still alive by being able to live a middle-class lifestyle and by obtaining it through perseverance and hard-work.
What Is The American Dream In The 1920s
650 Words | 3 PagesThe American dream is an illusion that is deeply implanted in the minds of the people, it sets a bar for life achievement and offers hope to work hard to achieve their dreams. As for Americans, they are raised in a society to where they are expected to make lots money and to have a healthy family. After all in our society success is largely based off positions of power and financial stability. For example, in The Great Gatsby, written by F. Scott Fitzgerald, there were multiple interpretations of the ideal American dream in the 1920s. In the 1920s, due to the growth of materialism, people advertised and fancied the power of money to fulfilling their dreams.
How Has The American Dream Changed Over Time Essay
975 Words | 4 PagesOver the years, a dream that changed the way the world saw the U.S. was created and it is the American Dream. As the years passed and the U.S. was developing the American Dream as well developed or as many say changed. The American Dream is a term that was introduced in 1931 by James Truslow Adams in his book The Epic of America (Kamp 2). The term “American Dream” started with a meaning that was reachable: “a better, richer and happier life for all citizens of every rank”(3). Throughout the years the term`s meaning changed dramatically.
Thesis Statement On The American Dream
1060 Words | 5 PagesNo matter who you are or where you have come from, you have undoubtedly heard of the American Dream. The idea that no matter who you are or where you have come from, you can do whatever it is you desire in America. What was once one the main driving forces for immigrants to flock to the new world, has slowly changed over the years, but still holds its value in the eyes of those who are looking for a promising new place to live. The American dream might not hold the same awe inspiring sound that it once did, but for many generations before ours it was a beacon of hope that helped build the foundation that the United States was built on. And, still, today the American dream might not be as achievable as it once was, but it is still an important
The American Dream: The Key To Happiness
1005 Words | 5 PagesThe American dream is not having all the money in the world, or being a millionaire, it is simply being happy. The American dream is easily achieved, and the American dream can be achieved by
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886 Words | 4 PagesThat still varies, people have different ways of viewing the American dream and what it means to them. Some think that they can just come over here and get rich quick and be the billionaire, but it’s so much more than what is portrayed. There are three basic elements to the American dream freedom, economic security
The Problem With The American Dream
1056 Words | 5 PagesThe Problem with the American Dream According to the history books, the widely-known expression “the American Dream” was originally coined by James Truslow Adams in 1931. It was first described in Adams’s book “The Epic of America” as “...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 the fullest stature of which they are innately capable.” Over the years, America has become more egalitarian, but much must be done until there is true equality. Although the concept of the American Dream has always been believed to be open to everyone, throughout American history it has only been continuously accessible to the upper-class majority.
Analysis Of James Truslow Adams's 'The Epic Of America'
754 Words | 4 PagesAmerican Dream James Truslow Adams, in his book which was written in 1931 and called “ The Epic of America” wrote about American dream, that American dream is about being richer and living in better life. Also that American dream is more materialistic, that people work a lot of hours to gain things which they want to have. Such as luxury cars, big houses. They want to be wealthy, rich and have all expensive things and live in a world of money and wealth.
I Hear America Singing Essay
561 Words | 3 PagesThe famous international ideal of the “American Dream” is well desired worldwide. In turn, it acts almost as if it's a magnet attracting new immigrants to America each day. So what exactly is the “American Dream?” Hard to say. It can only be decided by the one in search of it.
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