Mantsios Myth Analysis

The myth of individual opportunity, the American dream is different, for everyone though it is most commonly associated with success, freedom, and happiness. Mantsios being with the fact that most people living in the United States rarely discuss the issues surrounding different class. Instead we choose to identify more readily to race, ethnicity, or geographical location. With the phrase like “working class,” “upper class,” and “ruling class” are rarely uttered by Americans. Mantsios believes that Americans do not like to talk about the different classes, whether it is about the upper, middles or lower class. He outlines four myths that are widely held about class in the United States. Myth one the united states is fundamentally a classless society, myth two we are, essentially a middle class nation. Most Americans have achieved relative affluence in what is widely recognized as a consumer society. Myth three we are all getting richer. Each generation propels itself to greater economic well-being. And myth four, everyone has an equal chance to succeed. Requires no more than hard work sacrifice and perseverance (Mantsios). Another of the argument, rhetoric strategy Mantsios use is on the issue the myths held by people living in the United States. For instance, he argues that people believe that the U.S. is basically a classless society. This implies that people are all equal despite their classes. Additionally, the United States is a middle-class state. The third myth is that people are all getting richer, and the fourth is that everyone has an equal opportunity to succeed. The Mantsios brings out his argument and reasoning by asking questions such as “Are there significant differences among Americans? Do the differences have

“Social Class and the Hidden Curriculum of Work Reading;” Tue 5 Feb. 2013. Web. 24 Mar. 2016.
"Class in America: Gregory Mantsios." Class in America: Gregory Mantsios., 24 Nov. 2013. Web. 24 Mar.