In the film "Far and Away" there is a clear representation of the "American Dream". The "American Dream" is ones" hope for a better quality of life and a higher standard of living than their parents". In the film that better quality and higher standard is revolved around the idea of freedom.
Joseph Donnely ventures from his homeland and travels to the U.S.A. in order to live out this dream of America. He wants to attain the freedom to live a prosperous life. Joseph went to America to find his own land, in Ireland he isn't given this opportunity. On the day that his father was to be buried his house was burnt down by a rich landowner who wanted to collect his rent. The house that got burnt down was all the land that was available to him because he had no money. Having the freedom to own land, a house or even a car is very necessary in America. Ownership itself is a sign of prosperity. Ownership is a liability, yet at the same time a gratification to the owner for knowing they have attained this responsibility. People in today's society can also relate to Joseph's experiences and ambitions. They want to be prosperous as well. Owning land is a sign of prosperity and in the same respect a sign of freedom. In America today people come to our country for the same exact reason Joseph did. They aren't allowed to own their own land or they don't have the money to do so but they know that the U.S.A. is "the land of the free" and a land full of opportunity of which they have the chance to make money and eventually become landowners.
Shannon Christie leaves her home in Ireland to come to the U.S.A. She wanted to live out the "American Dream" just as Joseph had wanted to. All signs of freedom had been taken away in her life. She wanted to be free to become a modern woman. She was not satisfied with the traditional views of her parents" generation. She grew up having to be proper from head to toe.