The American Dream: Phyllis Wheatley, William Bradford, And John Smith
The American Dream To many the American Dream means a new beginning for their lives. In this paper I will analyze and explain my reasoning behind the previous statement through the writings of Phyllis Wheatley, William Bradford, and John Smith. I will also look at other stories from more recent times that show the American Dream is still alive today. In Phyllis Wheatley’s poem On Being Brought from Africa to America, she describes how she came to America and how everyone, no matter the skin color, can end up ion heaven. Many would think that if you were a slave that was brought to a new land and tortured, you would not be happy. In many cases that was true, however in Phyllis Wheatley’s case she was grateful! She was grateful because when …show more content…
In fact many people today are still living the American Dream. One story is of a woman named Ursula Burns who is the CEO of Xerox. Ursula Burns’ mother was a Panamanian immigrant, and was raising Ursula alone in a New York City housing project. While Ursula was in school she discovered a high capacity for math. Many teachers and others would constantly tell her that she should become something that was “made” for women such as a nurse or a teacher. However she had higher aspirations however. She knew that there were many high paying jobs that she could get if she got a degree in math. She attended Polytechnic Institute of New York and Columbia University. Her rising career at Xerox started off as nothing more than an internship in 1980. By 1990 one of the senior executives noticed how good Ursula was and offered her the position as their assistant. By 1999 she was named vice president for global manufacturing. One year later she became senior vice president of corporate strategic services, where she oversaw manufacturing and supply chain operations. In 2007 she became president of Xerox and was chosen to be on the board of directors. In 2009 she was appointed the position of chief executive. In 2010 she became chairwoman of the
Examples Of Myrtle In The Great Gatsby
851 Words | 4 PagesIt is often said that this country was built upon basic principles that form the American Dream. These principles revolve around life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. As Maya Lin once said about the American Dream,“To me, the American Dream is being able to follow your own personal calling. To be able to do what you want to do is incredible freedom.” Though these ideals existed throughout the country, many people still didn’t have nor did they ever get to experience the true american dream.
Rhetorical Analysis Of Brandon King The American Dream
1116 Words | 5 PagesThe American Dream has a different meaning from what it once was, but according to Brandon King it is still alive. His beginning question, “What is the true state of the so-called ‘American Dream’ today” (Page #610, Para. #1) appeals to his audience’s own thoughts of his or her own personal beliefs for their futures. Most people have an idea of what they want in life, and their dream may not be the rags to riches dream of yesteryear, but is uniquely theirs.
Compare And Contrast Zitkala And Mary Antin
1871 Words | 8 PagesAmerica has often been referred to as the land of dreams by many different cultures. The early nineteen hundreds gave the margins of society a different perspective on what the American dream consisted of. The idea of the American dream is central to Zitkala-Sa’s Impressions of an Indian Childhood and Mary Antin’s The Promised Land. America is seen as a land that offers opportunity, equality, liberty and happiness. America is essentially the symbol of a better life.
The American Dream: Let America Be America Again By Langston Hughes
456 Words | 2 PagesThe American Dream is a concept deeply embedded in the culture of the United States, and constantly feeds the imagination of people throughout history. From early America to today the American Dream exists among us and we all work towards it. The poem, "Let America Be America Again," by Langston Hughes and Yasmina Shaush's essay, "The American Dream Lives On," show different perspectives on the desired American Dream. While Hughes's poem reflects on the lies of the American Dream, Shaushs essay shows the optimisms and good behind the American Dream. The works "Let America Be America Again" and "The American Dream Lives On" present contrasting perspectives on the American Dream and its impact in American society.
The American Dream Is Alive And Well Analysis
1074 Words | 5 PagesThe American Dream was created for all to be equal with the right of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. A dream is a series of thoughts on possibilities one can attain, hence, only one can choose to believe in the American Dream and if it’s achievable. In particular, Steve Tobak’s article called The American Dream is Alive and Well focuses on the opportunity Americans have unlike others and that the dream is attainable by all who work for it. A book by John Winthrop called City Upon a Hill implies that all men are capable of anything if they put God first. The American dream should make life fuller for all, provide happiness, and lead every American to believe they can do anything.
The American Dream In The 1900's
648 Words | 3 PagesAmerica is known as “The Land of Opportunity” and it established the concept of the American Dream in the 1900’s. The fight for this dream was prevalent even before it was given a name in 1930. The founding fathers wrote this belief into the constitution with the words “All Americans are created equal and endowed by their creator with certain inalienable rights. Among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness” .Some Americans believe that the American Dream can still be obtained in the 21st Century with hard work and perservance ; however, a majority of the American population among race gender and class has a different point of view on what America still provides to their citizens because economic insta8bility and lack of equal opportunity.
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.
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.
The American Dream In The Great Gatsby And I Hear America Singing
785 Words | 4 PagesHow has the American Dream changed from the 1920’s to now and how has the theme of the American Dream been supported by works of American Literature. We will see how the American Dream though time did not follow what the founding fathers set out for us in the declaration of independence and when they said, “The authors of the United States’ Declaration of Independence held certain truths to be self-evident: that all Men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness". We will see how the American Dream suffers, what an American Dream is centered on, and how, for some, the American Dream is unattainable. In "The Great Gatsby" by F. Scott Fitzgerald, "I Hear America Singing" by Walt Whitman and in "Harlem" by Langston Hughes we see the American dream depicted, as the loss and utter death of a distracted corrupt American Dream, as the love of the American dream, and as the American Dream for Blacks in a time of segregation and discrimination.
Annotated Bibliography: The American Dream
777 Words | 4 PagesAnnotated Bibliography, The American dream Ştiuliuc, Diana. "The American Dream As The Cultural Expression Of North American Identity." Philologica Jassyensia 7.2 (2011): 363-370. Academic Search Complete. Web.
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 In The Pre-Colonial Era
1519 Words | 7 PagesThe American Dream manifested in the Pre-Colonial Era Just as , Pre-colonial literature authors incorporated the astounding ideas of the American Dream into their literature of the Pre-Colonial Era in order to express the dream’s universal beauty and emphasize how America is truly a melting pot. As a prominent group from the Pre-Colonial Era, the Native Americans saw the American Dream as a paradise, comparable to the Garden of Eden, offering an abundance of opportunities for all through their poems, songs, creation myths, and government documents. In addition to the Native Americans, the African Americans view the land of opportunity as a unique place where individuality is accepted and eminent as being the core of American culture and one
The Walking Dead American Dream
1124 Words | 5 PagesThe mid 1900’s presented a fantasy that was later titled “the American dream.” The American dream, as described by Cantor, included a happy family with
Impossible Dreams: The American Dream
822 Words | 4 PagesImpossible Dreams The meaning of the American Dream can be seen as ”A uniquely American vision of the country consisting of three central ideas. The American dream consists of a belief in America as the new Eden- a land of beauty, bounty, and unlimited promise; a feeling of optimism, created by ever expanding opportunity; and a confidence in the triumph of the individual.” Using this definition of the so called “American dream”, it seems to be a great representation of it at first, until you realize it includes everyone as the individual. From the beginning of the Civil war to the end of the War to End All Wars, the American Dream wasn’t possible due to the treatment of the Native Americans, the inequality between women and men, and the false promises given to the immigrants coming to our country in their time of need.
The American Dream Materialism Analysis
179 Words | 1 PagesThe picture perfect life that the American Dream promotes is unrealistic and superficial because money is unable to fill the void of happiness or love. Contrary to earlier days, we now life in a time when even a strong work-ethic does not guarantee money, success or opportunities. While many are so ensorcelled by the illusions of the American Dream, we often fail to realize its falsity and constraints. Whether financially or socially, the society coaxes in the unsuspecting American dreamer, only to then spit them out in a wave of despair, failure and hopelessness. As demonstrated by numerous non-conformist individuals, the Dream lies not in the realm of materialism but rather in that of the intangible; often requiring an extreme leap of faith
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