My Thoughts about American Dream: that is what Keeps America Strong and Going

America the beautiful. With its spacious skies and amber waves of grain. From one shining sea to another lies this charming country. The world of America has come a long way since it was established in 1776, and with it crept the “American Dream”, laced with its fierce politics and even fiercer expectations, simultaneously providing its citizens the fire and passion that drives all, if not many cultures.

The American Dream is continuing to prosper and flourish since our founding fathers sat together in a room and created a document in which every person may follow. From Abraham Lincoln to Andrew Carnegie and John D. Rockefeller, countless Americans have risen from rags to riches and success. Many people believe that rising social mobility and success is possible in America for everyone due to the American social, economic, and political system. While in the popular thinking the American Dream is achievable, this essay will convey conflicting views on the subject, and how I plan to use this information in my future.

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. For years the idea of the American Dream has been sturdy, however, as America aged so did the idea of the American Dream. So how did we get here? Comparing the perspective of the American dream in the 1920’s to the American Dream in the 1940s or even today seems to be a repeating cycle. The cycle is that this dream is always evolving and changing. Through film, literature, art and music, an idealized version of what it means to be an American has changed from money, materialism, and status of the 1920s to hard work and family values of the forties to fast forward today having it all, the fast money, status, family, and the opportunity to grow more every day.

Although many strive to achieve the American Dream, some authors throughout American history show that the dream is not necessarily desirable or attainable. While some people have risen out of their poverty, many others have not. Although millions continue to come to America seeking greater wealth and success for themselves and their children, some will be sorely disappointed from this fairytale illusion also known as the American Dream. Every person has a dream or goal they want to achieve and I believe that is what keeps America strong and going. The dreamers keep us alive because they keep new ideas and concepts flowing throughout the country. “Dreams don’t always have to exist while the sun is down and your eyes are shut” (Alex Gaskarth). 

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