THE AMERICAN DREAMBy Vinh-Hop Ngo

Thesis• The American Dream might have different

meanings to different people, and those could be wealth, family, or even love; regardless, it all leads to their own definition of happiness and prosperity. Even though the American Dream allows Americans the freedom to choose their own path, it also has the ability to leave hopeful Americans in tremendous debt or just plain disappointment as they realize their shortcomings and the downfall of their own dreams.

What Is The American Dream?

• The American Dream has different meanings to different people. Most notably, the American Dream means freedom, liberty, and equality. It means equal opportunities for everyone, regardless of social class; everyone has the opportunity for prosperity and success, and an upward mobility achieved through hard work. To some people, the American Dream does not necessarily only include these ideals; in fact, consumerism plays a big part in it as well. People who strive to achieve the American Dream often want big houses and nice cars, along with many other belongings. Their belongings make them proud to be the world’s richest society. To other Americans, the American Dream might be based on avoiding things such as poverty and loneliness, rather than wealth or success. Those people only dream of living the average life by getting married and having their own family. To other more determined Americans, the American Dream could mean success and wealth as a result of education and hard work.

Freedom, Liberty, and Equality

http://www.acus.org/files/images/usflag-460_1118303c.jpg

The moral part of the American Dream is freedom, liberty, and equality for all. No matter what one’s ethnic or religious background is, he/she can dream and attain the same things as any other American, if he/she works hard.

I, Too, Sing America by Langston HughesI, too, sing America.

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.

Tomorrow,I'll be at the table

When company comes.

Nobody'll dare

Say to me,

"Eat in the kitchen,”

Then.

Besides,

They'll see how beautiful I am

And be ashamed—

I, too, am America.

This poem by Langston Hughes talks about the freedom, liberty and equality part of the American Dream. Since Hughes himself is “the darker brother”, he doesn’t get to sit and eat with the white people. He says in this poem that he happily eats in the kitchen because he knows that sometime soon, he and his race will be able to sit at the same table as the whites and they won’t be able to say anything, because one day, freedom and equality of the races will be observed. Langston Hughes’ ultimate dream is for his race to become just as equal as the white race.

Pride of Ownership

http://www.123rf.com/photo_18509649_new-american-dream-home-with-a-beautiful-blue-sky-in-background-and-brand-new-car-parked-outside.html

The average American dreams of getting a job that would pay enough to buy a nice house and a functioning car that they would need to drive to work, buy groceries, and do all the things necessary to provide them a comfortable way of life.

Pride of Ownership, Gatsby Style

Some Americans dream of having even more than just an average house and a functioning car; those people dream of one day owning a large mansion that comes with full amenities like a big swimming pool, tennis courts, etc…, just like what Gatsby dreamt of having ever since he was young, which he successfully achieves. This painting by Peter Crawford depicts a huge mansion, a fancy car, and a man and woman kissing each other while leaning onto the car. The American flag is painted in the background to represent the American part of the dream, and part of the Statue of Liberty can be seen in the top left corner to represent the “freedom” of America. This represents everything Gatsby ever dreamt of having in his life; in fact, he achieved everything but the woman he really wanted—Daisy. The man and woman depicted in the painting are happily in love with each other, as well as with their extensive property, thus this is an accurate representation of Gatsby’s Dream.

http://greatartpetercrawford.blogspot.com/2011/04/elegy-peter-crawford-2011.html

Painting by Peter Crawford

Marriage and Kids

Many Americans dream of the average life; get married, have kids, and work to provide for their families. Those people don’t want to be too lonely or too poor, but don’t expect too much as well. They want to live comfortably and happily, but don’t require wealth to achieve their dreams.

http://bernicewood.wordpress.com/2010/08/20/ahh-the-american-dream/

http://society6.com/TheQuotesProject/The-American-Dream-KP3_Print

The American Dream In Short

How Can The American Dream Be Oppressive and Liberating at The Same Time?

• The American Dream is oppressive in the way that it forces people into being so determined to achieve their dream that they forget about the consequences. For example, Americans can be so determined to buy nice possessions that they unknowingly drown in piles of debt by the time they grow older. Usually, there is no way to escape this system if one has already entered it.

• The American Dream is at the same time liberating because it allows the average American to have the freedom to dream whatever he/she desires, without being judged.

“Brother, Can You Spare A Dime?” lyrics by Yip Harburg, music by Jay Gorney (1931)

• http://youtu.be/eih67rlGNhU• This song, by Yip Harburg, was written during the Great Depression. It tells

the story of an American worker who labored to build the country and a citizen soldier who fought to defend it. However, the Depression has left him out of work, out of money, and out of dreams.

• “They used to tell me I was building a dream, and so I followed the mob, When there was earth to plow, or guns to bear, I was always there right on the job. They used to tell me I was building a dream, with peace and glory ahead, Why should I be standing in line, just waiting for bread?”

• He says, “I was always right there on the job” and “they used to tell me I was building a dream, with peace and glory ahead”, but the fact that he can’t understand is why, after all this hard work, doesn’t he even have food on the table? Why should he be standing in line now? What happened to all this wealth he created? Where’s the American Dream?

Consequences of the American Dream: Tons of Debt

http://flyoverculture.com/2012/10/25/weekly-meme-mash-america-the-gosh-darn-exceptional/

Moment of Realization: Upward Mobility Does Not Exist

http://www.cagle.com/2012/04/the-paradox-of-mobility-in-america/

Bibliography

• "I, Too, Sing America - A Poem by Langston Hughes - American Poems." I, Too, Sing America - A Poem by Langston Hughes - American Poems. N.p., n.d. Web. 23 Apr. 2013.

• “Brother, Can You Spare a Dime?” Song: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eih67rlGNhU