Hard Work and the American Dream

For instance, Mr. Whitney asserts to Dick, "Save your money, my lad, buy books, and determine to be somebody, and you may yet fill an honorable position," (Alger 291). He encourages Dick to save his money to buy books because of the education he could gain from doing so. Education contributes to the idea of the "American Dream," and ultimately success.
             The "American Dream" is a complex, multi-faceted concept providing immigrants with hope of better life. The American Dream is to give each and all of us equal playing field. The U.S. government provides the environment and resources for everybody to pursue their dreams. Each year millions of people around the world play for the Diversity visa lottery program provided by the U.S. government, however only a few thousand people are lucky enough to come here. America is the place where people are judged by their achievements instead of having references or connections. Former immigrants like Arnold Schwarzenegger are perfect examples of this. I recall the day I went to the embassy to request my Student Visa: after I convinced the officer why I wanted to study by telling him my ambition and dreams, he told me, "Anything is possible in the land of opportunity. Stay focused and work hard." In saying this, the officer affirmed the idea that the "American Dream" is attainable by anyone.
             The Encyclopedia defines the "American Dream" as, "a national ethos of the United States, a set of ideals in which freedom[and] hard work in a society with few barriers," (citation). A stereotypical illustration of this definition is the freedom of speech. As individuals, we are entitled to express our opinions, write, publish or communicate, and such expressions must be, if not shared, respected. Different countries have certain levels of tolerance at the moment of executing this right. Freedom of speech is a double-edged sword that can change the course of many things including lives, civilizations, even history.