In my opinion the American Dream is the idea that a person can, within reason, do whatever their heart desires. It is the freedom to live your life however you see fit, no matter what your social or economic status is. It is the belief that you can come from nothing and become somebody important or powerful. Athletes in today’s major sports, musicians, and movie/TV stars are all perfect examples. They are idolized for making something of themselves, for achieving the "American Dream". It is the belief that everyone has an equal opportunity to better themselves, to reach success. I don’t think the American Dream is about possessions, like having a house with a white picket fence and a car parked in the garage, but I do think success is a big part of it. I think that if you are a successful at whatever it is you are striving for in life, whether it’s wealth, possessions, social status, or even just happiness, then you have achieved the American Dream.
Even though some see the American Dream as doing whatever you want no matter your socioeconomic status, do minorities beyond the poverty level really have the same access to the dream as everyone else? Many of the lowest income individuals in America may have the ability to go for their goals, but does everyone really dream to the same magnitude as everyone else? I think that oftentimes those that have lower socioeconomic statuses tend to set smaller goals because they have lost faith in equal opportunities due to external discrimination.
ReplyDeleteI believe what Kris says in regard to the fact that the American Dream is not about material possessions. The dream is not a tangible object. I don't believe you can say you have achieved the American dream. One can pursue it, and be "living" it, but I don't believe there is a point when it is reached. It is a dream, an imagination, a goal, you cannot reach it. It is a dream, and for every person it is different, yet always a step ahead of where you are. Its always where you want to be.
ReplyDeleteI agree with many of these comments. The American Dream is a person having the opportunity to follow they're dream. It changes according to what they're goals are at the time. IF they reach their goals, usually people come up with more dreams; therefore, it is always changing, evolving as each person lives their life. I slso like the way you put it that it is freedom to live your life as you see fit. That is a very important need and is usually the reason that teenagers rebell against their parents while living under their roofs.
ReplyDeleteExcellent points!
ReplyDelete@Sierra: We will be talking about who has access to the American Dream as we work through some of the other novels. Part of the American Dream mythos is that everyone has equal access to it, but that is most definitely not true. Everyone has access to it, yes, but not equal access by any means.