'Swing Low, Sweet Chariot's American Dream'

152 Words1 Page
bulb-icon

Recommended: The role music plays in religion

In the spiritual "Swing Low, Sweet Chariot," the writer writes about where they want to go, or rather where they're destined to go, which is heaven. The tone is very subtle and comforting. Around the time period this song was made, many black people had their dreams of being free and accepted. The writer's 'American Dream' isn't to obtain fortune or materialistic things, he simply would like to go to heaven. In a way, going to heaven could be their version of freedom. Most people are focused on the here and now but the writer is looking at the main goal; the things that will ultimately matter, in the future. The writer also uses imagery that gives the idea of how he visualizes the way his dream will play out. He explains that from across the

Show More
Related

  • The Power Of Limitation In Song Yet Sung By Mcbride

    779 Words  | 2 Pages

    In the novel Song Yet Sung by McBride’s has suggested that once limitation is placed on an individual, such as race and gender, Individuals then face hindrance to the privileges and access to the American dream. McBride’s idea of limitation is prominent during the time of slavery for African Americans, as these same limitations are present during the twenty first century.

    Read More

  • A Comparison of the Declaration of Independence and King's I Have A Dream

    1263 Words  | 3 Pages

    ...dreams?  "When we allow freedom to ring, when we let it ring from every village and hamlet, from every state and city, we will be able to speed up that day when all of God's children-black men and white men, Jews and Gentiles, Catholics and Protestants-will be able to join hands and to sing in the words of the old Negro spiritual, "Free at last, free at last; thank God Almighty, we are free at last'" (King, 312).

    Read More

  • Rhetorical Analysis Of The American Dream In The Great Gatsby

    1049 Words  | 3 Pages

    The American Dream offers opportunity, equality, liberty, and social mobility to those who have lost their place, such as immigrants, African Americans, and white males with little wealth. This national ethos can supposedly be achieved through hard work, and determination with few social barriers. The Great Gatsby, written by F. Scott Fitzgerald, illustrates the unreachable American Dream that so many have stopped fighting for. While the American dream may theoretically promise equality for all, social status will either hinder or improve an individual 's chances of success. Through rhetorical strategies such as imagery, symbolism, and diction, Fitzgerald’s interpretation of the American Dream is developed.

    Read More

  • Men Will Rise From The Dark Depth Of Prejudice To The Majestic Heights

    541 Words  | 2 Pages

    A dream to see an end to prejudice. A dream to reach the promise land. Although

    Read More

  • The Great Gatsby and the American Dream

    945 Words  | 2 Pages

    Wealth, material possessions, and power are the core principles of The American Dream. Pursuit of a better life led countless numbers of foreign immigrants to America desiring their chance at the vast opportunity. Reaching the American Dream is not always reaching true happiness. In F. Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby, Jay Gatsby achieves the American Dream, but his unrealistic faiths in money and life’s possibilities twist his dreams and life into useless life based on lies.

    Read More

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

    1462 Words  | 3 Pages

    The second meaning of the American dream is that of social justice, and the inclusion of all in the social and political aspects of American life. This is the American dream that is best illustrated in Frederick Douglass’ narrative. This is the dream that was sought by the civil rights movement, which was focused on widening opportunities for all Americans, regardless of their race or social status. This American dream is however more tightly intertwined with race, than with social status. Douglass’ narrative demonstrates the challenges faced by members of minority races in America in their pursuit of the American dream of equal opportunity, upward mobility, and inclusion in other social and political aspects of American life.

    Read More

  • The American Dream: 'Keeping Up With The Joneses'

    633 Words  | 2 Pages

    This passage is reflected upon the American dream because it pretty much tell people (African Americans) that if they want to rise in their life they need to put in the work needed just like the immigrants or any other race achieve the American dream. It also is saying that if they want to fail in life then the choice is up to them it’s either take it or leave it so this story is based upon what you want for yourself because anybody can do it because it is about self confidence in believing that you could achieve

    Read More

  • Negro Spirituals

    1984 Words  | 4 Pages

    Today, these lyrics have crossed barriers and are sung in many churches across America as spirituals. However, such songs as Wade in the Water, Swing Low, Sweet Chariot, and Follow the Drinking Gourd, were once used as an important tool of survival by the slaves of the antebellum era. The content of many Negro spirituals consisted of a religious theme. However, Negro spirituals were not intended to be religious. The primary purpose of Negro spirituals was to mislead an overseer or the plantation owner.

    Read More

  • The Pursuit of the American Dream

    999 Words  | 2 Pages

    To do what makes oneself happy. The American Dream is represented in many different ways and every person lives and chases a different version of the American Dream. Chris McCandless lived his American dream by walking alone into the wilderness of Alaska. The song written by Toby Keith, “American Soldier”, shows the price some pay for their dreams and ours to come true. Jay Gatsby died trying to acheive his dream and get the girl he loved, but died happy because he had pursued her until his death. The band All Time Low wrote a song called “The Reckless and The Brave” that brings a new light to how we go about achieving our dreams. So I believe that the American Dream is all about doing what will make you the happiest in the end.

    Read More

  • The American Dream in The Madonnas of Echo Park by Brando Skyhorse

    1185 Words  | 3 Pages

    In the United States there is an idea many pursue called the American dream, which differs from person to person. The American dream according to americanradioworks.publicradio.org is “a revolutionary notion: each person has the right to pursue happiness, and the freedom to strive for a better life through hard work and fair ambition”. Yet it has been said there is no real definition of American dream, instead it merely proves that it has an unconscious influence in American mentality (Ştiuliuc 1). The American dream is different for each person because everyone yearns for things that will they hope will in return make them happy. Whatever that may be, each person goes through different struggles to obtain what they want. According to Frederic Carpenter, the American dream “has never been defined exactly, and probably never can be. It is both too various and too vague” (3). The Madonnas of Echo Park by Brando Skyhorse depicts the different interpretations on what the American dream actually is through the opinions and actions of Hector Esperanza, Efren Mendoza and Mrs. Calhoun.

    Read More

  • The Great Gatsby - Dreams of Happiness

    1685 Words  | 4 Pages

    Each character in the novel has their own interpretation of the ‘American Dream – the pursuit of happiness’ as they all lack happiness due to the careless nature of American society during the Jazz Age. The American Dreams seems almost non-existent to those whom haven’t already achieved it.

    Read More

  • American Nightmare Interpretation

    552 Words  | 2 Pages

    In the 6th verse, it says, “This ain’t the same summer song that you used to know. So baby, let's live and die before we get old. You know that nothing is the way it used to be. So tell me whatever happened to the American dream” It is saying that people nowaday are only worried about “living” and they don’t care about society. Living basically means that you are loving life by having and doing everything. “Nothing is the way it used to be” because we can make our own American Dream how we would want it to be, not for others. Most people have the same American

    Read More

  • How Has The American Dream Changed Over The Years

    371 Words  | 1 Pages

    The American Dreams implies that each citizen in America has an equal opportunity to achieve success through hard work and determination. The famed notion of the American Dream has long existed since the 17th century when the Puritans came to the Americans due to religious persecution in their homeland. As time progress, the American Dream is still seen clearly visible as of today. Although the American Dream remains apparent in society, it has changed throughout the progression of time.

    Read More

  • The American Dream in Adventures of Huckleberry Finn and The Great Gatsby

    1197 Words  | 3 Pages

    In conclusion, the American dream targeted the individual working hard in the pursuit to become successful and wealthy, with high-quality job and prosperity. In the Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, the American dream symbolizes being free from any kind of restrictions and the ability to have the pleasure in the wide-open Western edge. However, The Great Gatsby criticizes the American dream due to moral and social value decay of the society.

    Read More

  • The Consequences Of A Dream Deferred And The Song Village Ghetto Land

    1054 Words  | 3 Pages

    Dreams are apart of human nature. They drive humanity, lead it on, and give the world hope, but the concept of dreams have often become a dream itself to many of African descent. The struggles of African Americans through the years have made goals something of a fantasy and put the focus on human necessities. But what happens when those dream are put away? Many texts throughout the ages such as, A Raisin in the Sun by Lorraine Hansberry, A Dream Deferred by Langston Hughes, and the song Village Ghetto Land by Stevie Wonder show through family relationships, racism, and sacrifice that when people 's dreams are cut off it can cause them to suffer and sometimes become bitter.

    Read More

More about 'Swing Low, Sweet Chariot's American Dream'

Open Document