The ‘American dream’ is a term coined by James Truslow in his 1932 book Epic of America‚ but it is a concept as old as America itself: anything is possible if only the individual is willing to work hard. The dream draws immigrants to our shores and borders every year and keeps millions of Americans content in the idea that their toiling will pave the way to success for them and for their children. However‚ for every rags-to-riches story‚ there are thousands of other hard-working people who cannot
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The American Dream is different for every person. People of different races and ethnic backgrounds have different ideas of the American Dream. People of different areas of the world have different perspectives of the dream. People from a third world country would have a different dream than someone from a major country like America or like a person from a rural setting would have a different idea than someone from the city. As someone who lives in the suburbs of Chicago‚ has a good family‚ and
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McKenna Walquist Period 1 Gatsby Essay As time flows everlastingly on‚ the dreams which man builds its self upon are prone to change. Throughout American history the American dream has changed from being one which inspired and fed the hopes of people all over the country‚ to the twenties’ mangled interpretation of it‚ where everything revolved around money and status. This theme is expressed in multiple characters and more specifically Gatsby who is a prime example of such corruption. The
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The ‘American Dream’ in The Great Gatsby It has been said that “people are so busy dreaming the American Dream‚ fantasizing about what they could be or have a right to be‚ that they’re all asleep at the switch‚ [the American man has lost his focus]” <www.thinkexist.com>. What exists behind the vision of the American Dream is a paralleled unreality. Humans are dreamers‚ and desires often create beliefs in people’s minds that lead them to strongly believe in a successful outcome. Unfortunately
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characters and their individual American Dreams. The novel took place in the 1920s‚ post-World War I‚ where American pride‚ wealth‚ luxuries‚ and all other superficialities were glorified. During this time‚ the American people became ambitious‚ and economic success was made their main goal. The notion of “money can buy happiness” was prominent and people of all walks of life believed in it. While this may have seemed like a positive outlook‚ it resulted in Americans becoming “a restless‚ dissatisfied
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The American Dream What is “the American dream?” If anyone has ever seen a movie that takes place in another country‚ most of the time you will hear about an American dream. Wanting to make it to America and get a job to support their family. Other times it is about a high school pitcher wanting to pitch in the big leagues. Most of the time it is about a young adult wanting to finish college‚ get married and have children. These are three different definition of the American dream but they all
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American Dream The American Dream to me seems like it’s overused. To me the American Dream is just a made up term for a “normal dream” because all it is is wanting success. The American Dream is just wanting to have a job‚ have an education‚ and have a family. The American dream is mainly about being a success. To be a success is to make money‚ and the American dream is about making a lot of money. People want to make a lot of money because money can buy everything including any dream you had. But
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an american dream. He was a great dad to his kids and an awesome husband to his wife. The story about Adam Brown is one you’ll never forget. Adam had an eventful life‚ he was just a small kid with a big dream‚ an american dream. When Adam entered the room it just lit up. Adam was a small boy‚ but that didn’t stop him from playing sports. His love was football. His size did not matter his heart was bigger than everything. Adam was a key player for the Lake Hamilton Wolves. Adam had big dreams he
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credited for originating the term the “American Dream” in the early years of the Great Depression‚ but the hard work‚ dedication‚ and sacrifice it takes to accomplish the American Dream has been around since the early days of this nation’s history. The American Dream refers to “the belief that anyone‚ regardless of what class they were born into‚ can attain their own version of success in a society where upward mobility is possible for everyone” (“American Dream”). It is precisely that upward mobility
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Society’s Influence on the American Dream "Do as most do‚ and men will speak well of thee." [Thomas Fuller (1654-1734):Gnomologia] Men have a dream to improve their lives and better their social status but each man does not realize that he pursues this dream in hopes of pleasing others and not for his own well being. Fuller’s quotation demonstrates that people find success and social mobility if they act and do what others want them to do. The American dream of success and happiness can not be
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