Achieving The American Dream Essay

958 Words2 Pages

The American Dream is a life of personal happiness and material comfort as traditionally sought by individuals in the U.S. (dictionary.com). Americans and immigrants alike are often raised to chase after this way of life without fully understanding the effort it takes to meet to this high standard. Achieving the American Dream has obstacles for many people including those in low economic status, ethnic groups, and even those that have obtained financial success but are not happy with their fortune. American’s with a low income face many challenges in making ends meet on a daily bases. Many jobs do not pay enough salary for an average person to survive working just one job and additional jobs or other forms of income become a necessity to pay for food and housing. Families earning minimum wage salaries are often not able to afford luxuries like nice clothes, vacations, and eating at restaurants. These luxuries are considered material comfort and part of the American Dream that is desired but not within reach. Examples of the real struggle of a low income American is taken from ‘Serving in Florida’ by Barbara …show more content…

A stanza from the poem ‘I, too, Sing America’ by Langston Hughes speaks to the segregation of African Americans, “I am the darker brother./ They send me to eat in the kitchen / When company comes, / But I laugh, / And eat well, / And grow strong.”(Hughes) Martin Luther King Jr's famous ‘I Have a Dream’ speech addresses the movement away from segregation in America and describes the hopes and goals of an ethnic group and their pursuit of the American Dream, “It is a dream deeply rooted in the American dream. I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: "We hold these truths to be self-evident; that all men are created

Show More
Related

  • Gatsby’s Unrealistic American Dream in The Great Gatsby, by F. Scott Fitzgerald

    959 Words  | 2 Pages

    The term “American Dream” is defined as an idea which believes that all people have the possibility of prosperity and success. The idea first came from James Adams, a noted American writer and historian. He claimed, “Life should be better and richer and fuller for everyone, with opportunity for each according to ability and achievement.” Therefore, the core concepts of the American Dream were closely linked to hard work and opportunity.

    Read More

  • The Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass and its Illustrations of the American Dream

    1462 Words  | 3 Pages

    The American dream can be defined as the promise of living in America with opportunities for all, regardless of social class, and according to their ability and effort (Schnell, 2010). Proponents of the American dream believe that there is equal opportunity for all in the American society to achieve success. Success is not pegged on social status, race, or creed, but rather on an individual’s own efforts. The definition of the American dream has unique interpretations to different people. The most common meaning is that of a life of abundance and prosperity, characterized by economic rewards that enable one to live a middle class life of comfort. Here, success is measured by material possessions such as beautiful homes, cars, a high income, and the ability to spend on luxury items. America is considered a land of plenty, and as such, many who come to the United States in search of the American dream have this form of success in mind.

    Read More

  • The Great Gatsby And The American Dream Essay

    872 Words  | 2 Pages

    What is the American Dream? Is it fame or fortune? Franklin Roosevelt explained the American Dream as freedom of speech, freedom of religion, freedom from want, and freedom from fear. The American Dream is the idea of becoming successful through work, although, this is not always achievable because people in America are not always treated equally, and not everybody has an equal opportunity to reach the American Dream.

    Read More

  • The Jagged Edges of a Shattered American Dream in Death of a Salesman

    1372 Words  | 3 Pages

    The American dream is an ideal for all Americans to get the best out of life. It stands for an easy and comfortable life, which makes you independent and your own boss. Historically, the American dream meant a promise of freedom and opportunity, offering the chance of riches even to those who start with nothing. This is something that Arthur Miller conveys in his play Death of a Salesman. Before the Depression, an optimistic America offered the alluring promise of success and riches.

    Read More

  • The American Dream Essay: To Achieve The American Dreams

    1034 Words  | 3 Pages

    People usually do not have a concrete plan for their future, so they do not know what direction they are going to take; it is so difficult for people to set themselves up for success when they have no real support system put in place. They often have negative people around them that will bring them down, too, which will lead to a lack of motivation, and this will set them up for failure, especially when they set goals that are not clear enough or realistic. People are usually not motivated or disciplined enough, use too many excuses, and get overwhelmed by obstacles, causing them to fail.

    Read More

  • Andrew Carnegie and His American Dream

    380 Words  | 1 Pages

    What is the American Dream? There are a myriad of aspects to it, but one general idea: the ideal life. It is making a lot of money, being respected, and triumphing difficult situations. The American Dream has been pursued by many, but only few make it all the way.

    Read More

  • Persuasive Essay On The American Dream

    1785 Words  | 4 Pages

    First, what is the American dream? According to David Wallechinsky, “the traditional American Dream is based on the belief that hardworking citizens can improve their lives, pay their monthly bills without worry, give their children a start to an even better life, and still save enough to live comfortably after they retire” (1). “The American Dream” states, “It has always represented the possibility for individuals to succeed and live a life of wealth and comfort, made possible by both the political and economic attitudes in the USA and the individual’s own hard work” (1). Daniella Nicole adds that “in years past, chasing the American Dream meant the sky was the limit. . .” (1).

    Read More

  • How Has The American Dream Changed Over The Years

    611 Words  | 2 Pages

    The American Dream has changed; it is no longer the same as it was fifty or even one hundred years ago. Today, people not only search for prosperity and wealth, but they also search for happiness, equality, and determination. The American Dream is for everyone, not just the rich. The term “The American Dream” is a term used to describe the American way of life in general. It is a noun stating “the idea that every US citizen should have an equal opportunity to achieve success and prosperity through hard work, determination, and initiative.” Dreams are not limited to just one social class, everyone has a different version of the American Dream but they all work together in a community to create an organized, working society. A dream is a cherished aspiration, ambition, or idea that is open to anyone.

    Read More

  • America And I By Anzia Yezierska Summary

    780 Words  | 2 Pages

    The American Dream is having the opportunity to achieve many goals and dreams in America. There are opportunities to work, to receive an education, and for people to be able to do what they love and long for. The reality of the American Dream is not like the promise. Many people believe that the American Dream is when people come to America to get rich and that may be true, but it is not true for everyone. An example would be the short story, “America and I,” by Anzia Yezierska, where the tone progresses as she recounts her story of coming to America as an immigrant from false hope to a bittersweet reality.

    Read More

  • Persuasive Essay On The American Dream

    903 Words  | 2 Pages

    Over the decades, many people have migrated to the United States of America seeking freedom and the opportunity to achieve a better life that is otherwise unachievable in their motherland. These desires and actions morphed into the American Dream we know today. The American Dream is the search for good fortune and success that motivates people to test their own limits and endure in order to lead accomplished lives and achieve whichever goals they set. The American Dream is a reality; every United States citizen has the chance to achieve no matter what prejudices they face, depending on their determination and luck.

    Read More

  • The Obstacles Of The American Dream

    780 Words  | 2 Pages

    The American Dream is an idea that anyone can live in the United States through hard work and live happy successful lives. There are many obstacles that would stand in the way from achieving the American Dream. Fear, money and education/training, families changing in size, disability, race and gender, are some of the hurdles that many Americans face as they try to achieve the typical American Dream.

    Read More

  • American Dream Essay

    876 Words  | 2 Pages

    From the old days to today, the source of motivation for the American people was always the American Dream. The American Dream is a goal everybody wants to achieve; many people define the dream as owning a home, two cars, and a secure finance. The basic requirement to achieve the American Dream is hard work and also some patience. Today the prerequisites for enjoying the dream are different; unlike in the previous days, a college degree and experience is often a requirement to have a good paying job, but also having the ability to save money is important in achieving the American Dream.

    Read More

  • James Truslow Adams: The Definition Of The American Dream

    805 Words  | 2 Pages

    The term, “American dream,” was first used by historian James Truslow Adams. James stated that the American dream was, “That dream of a land in which life should be better and richer and fuller for every man, with opportunity for each according to his ability or achievement.” Although the quote states a perfect definition of the American dream, this term can be interpreted in several ways. The American dream is achieving a goal that before was seen as impossible or unlikely, making a decision that could improve the life of future descendants, and having goals that you want to accomplish.

    Read More

  • The American Dream

    673 Words  | 2 Pages

    "The American Dream" is that dream of a nation in which life should be better and richer and fuller for everyone, with options for each according to capacity or accomplishments. It is a dream of social stability in which each man and each woman shall be able to achieve to the fullest distinction of which they are essentially competent, and be distinguish by others for what they are, despite of the incidental conditions of birth or stance. The American Dream is often something that humanity wonders about. What is the American dream? Many people discover success in a range of things. There are many different definitions of the American Dream. However, the American Dream embraces prosperity, personal safety, and personal liberty. The American dream is a continually fluctuating set of ideals, reflecting the ideas of an era.

    Read More

  • Debating the Achievability of the Modern American Dream

    607 Words  | 2 Pages

    While some people believe that the modern American dream is achievable because of the wealth of some people and how rich they are , others think the modern American dream is not achievable because you don’t have to be wealthy or rich to live the American dream. American Identity also have something to do with the American dream and how it makes everyone apart of the world’s society.

    Read More

More about Achieving The American Dream Essay

Open Document