The illusion of the American dream is having a have big home, good looking spouse, nice car, and a well paying job. People think that this is the American dream because people who have these things are, most of the time, rich. People want to be rich and able to buy what they want and be happy about it. This makes it an illusion. .
Really, you don't need to be rich to be happy and live the American dream. If you look at some rich people who you believe have it all, look harder. Look at these people's personal life. They may not have a relationship with a partner or a relationship with their family. Look at their lifestyle. For instance, a boxer, whether he wins or loses, he get money but he still gets beaten on if he wins or loses. You have to sacrifice one thing to get another. To have the American dream, you have to lose things like family, friends, happiness, or spirit to gain money and to buy the American dream. Depending upon your character the saying, "money cannot buy happiness," could be right or wrong. If you think that saying is right, you will be closer to the dream than the one who says it is wrong. To gain happiness is harder than gaining money, happiness is more valuable then money.
Rabbi Hyman Judah Schachtel said, "Happiness is not having what you want, but wanting what you have." If you can appreciate what you have and want it, then you will be happy with it. When you appreciate something, it makes it worth more to you. The American dream really is about being rich. Not being rich with money but with happiness. Having happiness makes you richer inside than a person with millions of dollars. The people who think they need to be rich to be happy are the ones who will never live the dream.