John Steinbeck's 'American Dream'

The American Dream is a concept that we have created which illustrates a perfect life. Growing up, we are taught that we can be anything we dream of as long as we put our mind to it. We view ourselves and our country as the best, since we believe that we can achieve any goal with effort and perseverance. As stated in John Steinbeck’s “Paradox and Dream,” we are strong believers of our beliefs and “seem to be in a state of turmoil all the time, both physically and mentally”. We have made it appear as if the American Dream can be achieved as we are diligent, well inherited individuals that could make anything possible as long as we have the mentality and commitment to accomplish it.

The American dream is an opportunity to start a new life for oneself and others. American Dream is important for our American culture today because for one to dream and succeed is a proud moment. In our society today an American dream is a literary trope due to its a repeated allegory with recurring images or figure of speech. For example a feature that makes the American dream a literary trope is by symbolism, such as in the video “ American Oxygen” of flags, liberty, soldiers,etc, idealing the greatness of America and different types of the American dream. Following in the article by John Steinbeck stating “ No one can define it or point to anyone person who lives it, but it is very real nevertheless,perhaps more real than that equally remote dream…”, illustrating The American dream is free for all as long as we work for it but some might consider The American dream as a disillusion.

What the American Dream means to me is happiness. Being happy and not having to worry about food, shelter, and/or health. To have a healthy life, family, and relationships whether it be friends or family. To me the American Dream is not having a big house, nice car, or expensive clothing because I believe no matter how much material you have it will never bring you true happiness. “The most important thing is to enjoy your life - to be happy - it’s all that matters.”

It seems that so often the subject of economic standing and wealth are said synonymously with the phrase “The American Dream.” To the enlightened individual the dream is not just a dollar sign, or desk name-tag at work, but the ability to walk into a room or a home, and know that their presence is welcomed and looked forward to. The dream is realizing that in America, we have resources to make an honest difference. In “Scratch Beginnings”, this quote says that “Hey, we all come from different backgrounds, most of which weren’t normal. We’re all messed up.”

American Dream American Dream has many different definitions in this day and age. For some it 's starting from little and making their way up to a successful prosperous life. For others it 's reaching happiness and a family. And for some the American dream is freedom but however the American dream is portrayed they all have something in common and that is happiness.

Obama notes “…because in generous America you don’t have to be rich to achieve potential” (79). In that statement even the current President of the United States knows that the dream is still out there and not even one’s financial status can change that. In America anything is possible and money will not change anything because everyone has an equal opportunity to pursue their dream. In regards to achieving one’s dream, the Declaration of Independence has a significant effect on not only American history but also the equal opportunity to achieving an American Dream. In The Declaration of Independence Thomas Edison addresses the concerns the American citizen had with Britain.

The American dream carries a different meaning for every person. The definition may also change according to the time period and situation. In many sources, the American dream is defined as the ideal that all United States citizens should have equal opportunity to obtain success and prosperity through dedication. Two famous speeches, “The Speech at the Virginia Convention” by Patrick Henry and “The Speech in the Constitutional Convention” by Benjamin Franklin, define the term American dream during the time we were fighting for our independence. These speeches helped define the American dream by motivating the colonists to build the foundation foundation of the term, which is freedom and independence.

No 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.

Since the beginning of time in the United States, the idea of the American Dream has had a heavy influence on society. According to Document C, American Dream is defined as earning enough money to be happy, obtaining a worry-free lifestyle, and running in a high social circle. While working Americans still hold on to the hope of the American Dream, individuals from other countries often move to the United States with the hope that they too may have a piece of the pie. Despite the novelty and allure of the American Dream, it is nothing more than false hope. The American Dream is unachievable in the United States because no matter how hard one works or how hard one tries to save money, the American Dream is simply not accessible to those that begin with nothing.

Many people fantasize about the American dream. In his book The Epic of America, James Truslow Adams (1931) describes the American Dream as a, “...dream of land in which life should be better and richer and full for everyone with opportunity for each according to ability or achievement.” The American Dream is the idea that if a person has a significant amount of money and friends that they will be happy. It is in our nature as humans to want to be the best and have nicer things than our peers. The majority of people try to achieve the American Dream so that they will feel more exceptional to others.

In the short story America and I, the author Anzia Yezierska writes about a Russian girl that comes to America to have a chance to be successful. The Russian immigrant and many other immigrants who migrate over to America believe that it is the land of opportunity, where dreams become reality. She came to America to pursue the so called American dream, her dream was to be able to do the things she was not able to do in Russia, and to take advantage of opportunities that her family members were not offered. Yezierska has the Russian immigrant say that, “America was a land of living hope, woven dreams, aflame with longing and desires.”

Tracking back to Saker’s situation, every step that he has been able to take towards the American Dream can be attested to, according to him, “‘the people here [being] so good to [him which has convinced him] that the dream that anyone can come here and establish a life from nothing is alive’” (Flisiuk). Although the American Dream suggests settling in the US starting withfrom nothing, anyone would need some form of external support during the onset of his or her transition to cope with the hardships associated with such a dramatic shift. In “America and Americans,” Steinbeck emphasizes how dependent we are on one another in our pursuit for success as well as the lack of acknowledgment there is for that reliance. We have become so accustomed to receiving support that we often forget about those who guide us in the face of difficulty.

Of Mice and Men’s American Dream The ideal that every US citizen should have an equal opportunity to achieve success and prosperity through hard work, determination, and initiative. Also known as the American Dream, is a hope of many Americans. In the book Of Mice and Men they show their dearest desire to find it. However the struggle of the 30’s, may come as a surprise.

Of mice and men is a prominent book read by most high school students for a long time. Of mice and men is a book written by John Steinbeck. In the book George and Lennie had to run out of weed, so they looked for a ranch to work on. Lennie had issues with liking soft things that lead to him killing Curley's’ Wife and a puppy. To express that the american dream is impossible to achieve Steinbeck uses conversations, conflicts, and events.

For exactly 240 years, America has been dependent upon a single concept that formulates its very foundation: The American Dream. Throughout generations of history, the validity of the American Dream constantly fluctuates, and every single fluctuation drastically affects American citizens, an effect that is crucial to the success of the United States. Without such a foundation, the qualities of America are eventually undermined and the American Dream dissipates for millions of hard workers attempting to earn the right of egalitarianism, such as George and Lennie during the Great Depression. In John Steinbeck's novel "Of Mice and Men", the American Dream is effectively portrayed through dynamic characterization, character relationships, and symbolism.