American Dream
he Great American Dream has undergone a massive transformation since the end of nineteenth century and the sooner we come to terms with it, the better it is for the rest of the world. he American dream was once characterized by westward expansion, 'the new world' and ideals of liberty, freedom and equality. Unfortunately all these interpretations of American dream have lost significance over the years. It is our inability to reconcile ourselves with the changing reality that has resulted in such gross judgment errors including the Vietnam War, the Gulf War and the more recent Afghan and Iraq wars. As harsh as it may sound, the truth is that America is no longer the symbol of equality or freedom. he black community had realized the sad truth a long time back as Malcolm X declared in 1962: "What is looked upon as an American dream for white people…...

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The Great American Dream has undergone a massive transformation since the end of nineteenth century and the sooner we come to terms with it, the better it is for the rest of the world. The American dream was once characterized by westward expansion, 'the new world' and ideals of liberty, freedom and equality. Unfortunately all these interpretations of American dream have lost significance over the years. It is our inability to reconcile ourselves with the changing reality that has resulted in such gross judgment errors including the Vietnam War, the Gulf War and the more recent Afghan and Iraq wars. As harsh as it may sound, the truth is that America is no longer the symbol of equality or freedom. The black community had realized the sad truth a long time back as Malcolm X declared in 1962: "What is looked upon as an American dream for white people has long been an American nightmare for black people." Our leaders have so far played a damaging role in interpreting and achieving the American Dream. George W, Bush, has not yet given up on the expansion theory. For Ronald Reagan, it meant becoming rich. And for others, it means being able to live and enjoy a free life. However none of these interpretations really define the American Dream because they have only contributed to turmoil and trouble around the world and within the country. For me thus, American Dream in its original form is only an elusive concept that has resulted in conflict, confusion and resentment. We need to give American Dream a new meaning and help the nation achieve it without military, political or social aggression. The new interpretation should be more in line with Rock star Bruce Springsteen's version of the American Dream: "I don't think the American dream was that everybody was going to make . . . A billion dollars, but it was that everybody was going to have an opportunity and the chance to live a life with some decency and some dignity and a chance for some self-respect." (1)

REFERENCE

1) Quoted in Dave Marsh, Glory Days: Bruce Springsteen in the 1980s (New York: Dell, 1984), 264.

American Dream
The Awakening" and "Thelma and Louise"

Although written and filmed a century apart, Kate Chopin's novel, "The Awakening," and the movie "Thelma and Louis" possess the same core theme of feminism at odds with the norms of society.

Chopin's character Edna, has had the social upbringing of any proper female of her day. Chopin describes her as "an American woman, with a small infusion of French which seemed to have been lost in dilution" (Chopin 9). Her marriage is social and filled with household schedules and social agendas. Edna's place is carved neatly and tightly. Her children were a responsibility that did not consume her for she "was not a mother-woman" (Chopin 19). She had never grown those protective wings that idolizing mothers grow and revere. Edna's husband, Leonce, reproaches her for her "inattention, her habitual neglect of the children" (Chopin 12). It was not as if Edna was a "bad"…...

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Works Cited

Chopin, Kate. The Awakening. C.1899. Herbert S. Stone & Co.

Electronic Edition.  http://docsouth.unc.edu/chopinawake/chopin.html 

Thelma & Louise." Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM). Directed: Ridley Scott;

Screenplay: Callie Khouri. 1991.

In this way the American Dream became even less accessible to poor persons, who in the past may have expected help from the more fortunate sectors of society. Instead they were forced to see the rich grow increasingly richer without any chance for access to prosperity. Unemployment and disparate income rates exacerbate the problem. hose employed in the most worthy of caring professions are often at the lowest end of the poverty scale, according to Malveaux (in Rothenberg, 2004, p. 293). She also blames the blind eye of policy makers for creating and maintaining this policy by means of elements such as welfare and minimum wage policies. In terms of employment, there is also still much discrimination against both women and black people.
Malveaux further blames both the government and society for the inaccessibility of the dream to some when citing the events of 9/11 (in Rothenberg, 2004, p. 294).…...

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The American Dream thus leads to more inequality, which is the exact opposite of its ideals. The very mythological nature of the concept is responsible for this phenomenon. Because the perception is that the United States is a country of opportunity for everybody, many immigrants move away from their home countries, believing that a better life exists in the United States. The reality is however that the current economic downturn and events such as 9/11, together with the somewhat unwise actions taken by the American government, has moved the country further away from the American Dream. The concept is therefore now truly a myth. It is a pity then that so many still cling to the ideals of the Dream as if it can offer the salvation that in reality the country could not.

Source

Rothenber, Paula S. (2004). Race, Class, and Gender in the United States. 6th edition, Worth Publishers.

(Steinbeck, 1939)
When the Grapes of Wrath is compared with the other works that are discussed earlier, it is clear that this is showing the negative side of the American dream. In this situation, things did not work as planned for the Joads. Instead, they were forced to deal with these challenges and believe that things will turn around. This determination is showing how the American dream is more than just about succeeding or failing. On the contrary, it is illustrating how the personal relationships with one another and the lessons that are learned will help to make everyone successful. The key for achieving this goal is to never lose faith in each other, no matter the consequences or the outcomes. (Steinbeck, 1939)

This is different from the previous works, by highlighting the struggles and how the American dream can be realized. As the Grapes of Wrath, is discussing the relationships…...

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References

Cullen, J. (2003). The American Dream. Oxford: Oxford University Press.

Hansberry, L. (2011). A Raisin in the Sun. New York, NY: Double Day Press.

King, M. (1964). The American Dream. Drew University. Retrieved from:  http://depts.drew.edu/lib/archives/online_exhibits/King/speech/TheAmericanDream.pdf 

Steinbeck, J. (1939). The Grapes of Wrath. New York, NY: Plain Label Books.

Waves of immigrants -- the Irish fleeing famine, the Italians, the Germans, the Scandinavians, the Chinese -- came to America, in the hopes of beginning their own businesses, starting their own farms and making life better for their children. America seemed like a place where the past did not define one's status in the present: yet even though many of these ethnic groups made inroads into America's social fabric and prospered, they also had to struggle against racism and intolerance.

Despite the success of many poor individuals, it is important to remember that even wealthy industrialists and philanthropists like Andrew Carnegie, who made a fortune after beginning life as a poor man, often employed workers at slave wages to make tremendous profits. Even today, having social standing in America conveys undeniable advantages. The rich live in communities with better schools, have better health (and health insurance) and greater access to networking…...

A solid work ethic can help stimulate creativity. ork ethic does not entail laboring for long hours in deplorable working conditions. A healthy work ethic means that Americans work hard because they love what they do and take pride in it. arshauer shows how the "get rich quick" ideal has permeated American society, replacing what was once a healthy work ethic with an unhealthy arrogance. Liu also refers to what he has perceived to be a "culture of entitlement" in which individuals feel they deserve to be rich without having to work. The American Dream was never about winning the lottery. Rather, it was about being duly rewarded for hard work. The fact that hard work can be fulfilling has been lost on the current generation, which idolizes wealth but not the creative energy needed to create and sustain it.
The new economy is changing the American Dream. Creativity and…...

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Works Cited

Florida, Richard. "The New American Dream."

Francis, David R. "The American Dream Gains a Harder Edge."

Library of Congress. "What is the American Dream?" Retrieved June 23, 2007 at  http://memory.loc.gov/learn/lessons/97/dream/thedream.html#cooliris 

Liu, Eric. "A Chinaman's Chance: Reflections on the American Dream."

This is a lesson that many today need to learn.
This view of the American Dream can still be seen today, however, even if it requires reading between the lines. In Bruce Handy and Glynis Sweeney's graphic essay "The American Dream, Supersized," the author is struck by his daughter's field trip in a limousine to the former tenements that were the home of many immigrants in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. The view of the American Dream that the authors presuppose is represented by this scene is the ability to achieve luxury without really thinking about the struggle that this type of wealth entails. Yet the facetious comments that the authors "imagine" in the mouths of immigrant parents, such as "God willing, my children will go to medical school and then become rich by injecting women's faces with poison to make them look younger" and "Would that my great-grandson grows…...

American Dream
What's wrong with the American Dream?

The American Dream is primarily associated with achievement and success. According to Hochschild, achievement and success can be individually defined as it can mean something different to each person. The basic tenant, however, is the notion that hard work yields favorable results, if you play by the rules. Further, the dream can be pursued by anyone despite his or her background, culture, race or personal history (Charon & Vigilant, 2009, p. 28).

Hochschild notes that there is an inherent problem with the American Dream; namely, that everyone can equally participate and can begin again. The myth and fantasy associated with this basic tenant is something that can be desired and sought after but not achieved. The American Dream is really a notion, ideology, or philosophy for White middle class Americans. It is not equally accessible for people of color, and up until recently, not nearly…...

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Reference

Charon, J., & Vigilant, L. Social problems: Readings with four questions. 4th edition.

CA: Wadsworth.

The relationship between company and worker, where the company makes an investment in the employee through training, stock options, a structured retirement and benefits plan, etcetera, is no longer the norm today. Furthermore, although in other countries, health insurance, a livable pension plan, and other benefits like daycare for children, are not necessarily tied to private employment, these necessities for survival are in America. To be unemployed or underemployed means living in a state of continual anxiety about caring for one's self and for one's dependants. This drives many workers to look for unhelpful assistance from paid personal consultants and headhunters, who administer unhelpful personality tests rather than make a real effort to seek employment for their clients.
Besides the problems inherent to the way that American government and corporate America are structured is the problem that there simply are fewer and fewer jobs for college-educated job seekers and more…...

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Works Cited

Ehrenreich, Barbara. (2005). Bait and Switch: The (Futile) Pursuit of the American

Dream. New York: Metropolitan Books.

American Dream in the context of Gus Van Sant's 1997 film "Good Will Hunting"
There has been much controversy with regard to the American Dream during recent years, as people appear to be more and more hesitant about accepting the fact that it exists. "Good Will Hunting" stands as a perfect example concerning a person who feels fed up with promises associated with living the American Dream and simply wants to live life the ways that he feels is best. While the film also emphasizes how a person can fail in taking advantage of the opportunity to live the 'American Dream', it also makes it possible for viewers to understand that people should actually focus on appreciating things that actually matter instead of being obsessed with the material aspect of the dream.

The protagonist's name, Will, is basically meant to emphasize his main problem -- his lack of will. "He lacks…...

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Bibliography:

Fitzgerald, F. Scott, "The Great Gatsby," (Interactive Media, 14 Feb 2012)

http://books.google.com/books/about/The_Great_Gatsby.html?id=JgxOs2GX86AC&redir_esc=y

Miller, Arthur, "The Man Who Had All the Luck," (Penguin Group U.S., 25 May 2004)

 http://books.google.com/books?id=ODxxXvnvpm0C&dq=%E2%80%A2%09Miller,+Arthur,+%E2%80%9CThe+Man+Who+Had+All+the+Luck%E2%80%9D,+ (Penguin+Group+U.S.,+25+May+2004)&hl=en&sa=X&ei=yW59UoTTJ-HE7AbwnIGwAQ&ved=0CEAQ6AEwAg

Consumerism: The Fallacy of the American Dream
The American Dream is really money." Jill Robinson, an American novelist, cuts to the chase when she pinpoints the materialist nature of the American Dream. Usually cloaked with images of a leisurely retirement, the American Dream is fundamentally a struggle to keep up with the Joneses and to reassure our children that they will not have to work as hard as we did. The American Dream entails sacrificing the present for the future, saving and scrimping in order to play golf in Boca. Once upon a time, middle class Americans felt proud of pursuing the American Dream because it was the norm: everyone had ideals of suburban life with the white picket fence and a golden retriever. Now, Americans are jaded and cynical. We continue to climb corporate steps and work fifteen-hour days so that we can make the payments on the SUV. We…...

The American Dream: An Elusive Ideal

The "American Dream" is a pervasive concept in American society that embodies the aspiration for individual prosperity, success, and happiness. It is often characterized by the pursuit of material wealth, home ownership, and a comfortable lifestyle. Yet, despite its widespread acceptance, the American Dream remains an elusive ideal for many.

According to the Declaration of Independence, "all men are created equal," and have the inherent right to "life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness" (Jefferson, 776). This foundational principle laid the groundwork for the belief that anyone who works hard and is determined can achieve their goals.

However, the reality of the American Dream is far more complex. Economic inequality has become increasingly entrenched in American society, with a growing gap between the wealthy and the poor (Piketty, 204). This has made it increasingly difficult for many to attain the level of prosperity once associated with the…...

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1. American Civil Liberties Union. (2023). Why It\'s Impossible to Ignore Social Justice Issues in America.

2. Baum, S., & Payea, K. (2011). Higher Education Costs and the American Dream. CollegeBoard. https://admissions.collegeboard.org/research/higher-ed-costs-and-american-dream

3. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2023). The Importance of Health. https://www.cdc.gov/healthyschools/essentialservices/importance-of-health.htm

4. Chetty, R., Grusky, D., Hell, M., Hendren, N., & Manduca, R. (2014). The Fading American Dream: Trends in Absolute Income Mobility since 1940. Science, 344(6186), 829-831.  https://doi.org/10.1126/science.1250904 

5. Congressional Budget Office. (2015). Infrastructure Investment and Economic Growth. https://www.cbo.gov/publication/45226

6. Diener, E., & Seligman, M. E. P. (2004). Beyond Money: Toward an Economy of Well-Being. Psychological Science in the Public Interest, 5(1), 1-31. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1529-1006.2004.00001.x

7. Education Data Initiative. (2023). The Importance of Education at All Levels.  https://www.educationdata.org/importance-of-education 

8. Environmental Protection Agency. (2023). Protecting Our Planet, Preserving Our Legacy. https://www.epa.gov/home

9. Gans, H. J. (1992). The War Against the Poor: The Underclass and Antipoverty Policy. Basic Books.https://www.aclu.org/issues/social-justice

American Dream Essay Titles Introduction
The American Dream is something numerous writers and researchers have written about in the past.  The best way to attract new attention to your essay is to give it a great title that catches the eye of potential readers.  American Dream essay titles should pop with imagination and excitement.  After all, this is one topic that incites a great deal of enthusiasm in people, whether they believe in the Dream or denounce it as a nightmare.  So don’t be boring with your title.  Check these out for inspiration.
Top 25 American Dream Essay Titles
1. Ben Franklin and the Myth of the American Dream
2. The Pursuit of Mammon:  How the  American Dream Turned into out to be an American Nightmare
3. Edward Albee and Satirizing the American Dream in American Drama
4. Is the American Dream Still Possible?  For Those Who are Naïve Enough to Think It was Ever Realistically Possible,…...

Logan Wolf
David Chapman

Summer 2012/ENC-1101

The social immobility

The American Dream is not what it appears to be. The American Dream as defined by James Truslow Adams in his book, The Epic of America, is "that dream of a land in which life should be better and richer and fuller for everyone, with opportunity for each according to ability or achievement. It is a difficult dream for the European upper classes to interpret adequately, and too many of us ourselves have grown weary and mistrustful of it. It is 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 to the fullest stature of which they are innately capable, and be recognized by others for what they are, regardless of the fortuitous circumstances of birth or position." (Truslow 214-215). Although Mr. Adams' definition sounds…...

American Dream" Deadline: May 3rd, 2013 Intro: "In United States, major ideology American Dream, suggests equality opportunity exists positions social class structure a reflection deserve.
The American Dream is generally regarded as a set of privileges that an individual living in the U.S. would have access to freedoms providing him or her with the chance to become prosperous and to be happy in general. The basic idea of the American Dream started as a result of people acknowledging that as long as an individual was free, he or she could achieve his or her goals as long as he or she is willing to work in order for them in a relatively short period of time. Even with the fact that the U.S. is presently one of the most developed countries and that American cities have access to a wide range of privileges, the American Dream has become less accessible…...

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Works cited:

Cullen, Jim, "The American dream: a short history of an idea that shaped the nation," (Oxford University Press, 2004)

Grogger, Jeffrey, and Trejo, Stephen, "Falling Behind or Moving Up? The Intergenerational Progress of Mexican-Americans," Retrieved April 23, 2013, from the PPIC Website:  http://www.ppic.org/content/pubs/report/r_502JGR.pdf 

"American dream dying: the changing economic lot of the least advantaged," (Rowman & Littlefield, 2010)

"The American Dream then and now," Retrieved April 23, 2013, from the Arcor Website:  http://home.arcor.de/vhailor/413_FF_Fact_file_3_NRW.pdf

This book is about how politicians don't have the best interests of the American people in their hearts anymore, and how greed and corruption has stopped many of them from doing what's right to help the country as a whole. The middle class are struggling with this more than others, because they get the least help. Rich people don't need help from the government, and poor people get a lot of assistance and handouts. If someone is middle class, he or she often needs a little assistance to really live comfortably but can't get that help because he or she....

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Understanding the Concept of Narrative

A narrative is a form of storytelling that unfolds a sequence of events or experiences over time. It typically involves characters, a setting, a conflict, and a resolution. Narratives can be fictional or nonfictional, and they can be expressed through various mediums such as literature, film, music, and visual arts.

Approaching Narrative Essay Topics

When developing essay topics centered around narratives, consider the following aspects:

Personal Narratives: Explore personal experiences, anecdotes, or stories that have shaped your life or perspectives.
Literary Narratives: Analyze narratives in literary works, examining character development, plot structure, and themes.
Historical Narratives: Examine historical....

In John Steinbeck's novel Of Mice and Men, the author's structural choices effectively depict the harsh realities of the American Dream, its hopeful pursuit, and the tragic consequences of shattered dreams. One way to formulate a unique thesis statement for your novel could be to focus on Steinbeck's use of symbolism and imagery to convey the themes of friendship, loneliness, and the struggle for independence in a society marked by economic hardship and prejudice. By analyzing how these literary devices contribute to the overall message of the novel, you can craft a strong thesis statement that highlights the depth and complexity....