The American Dream describes an attitude of hope and faith that looks forward to the fulfilment of human wishes and desires. What these wishes are, were expressed in Thomas Jefferson's Declaration of Independence of 1776, where it was stated:.
We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.
This search for freedom and happiness actually goes back to the very beginning of American civilisation, to the time of the first settlers. The first settlers were all religious refugees who were driven to the New World by persecution. To these people, America represented a new life of freedom, holding a promise of spiritual and material happiness. For those settlers who were not so religiously inclined, America was still a fairyland, a land of great possibilities. And so the first thirteen colonies came into being, amidst the religious and materialistic hopes of the first settlers. Material prosperity and progress kept pace with religious and spiritual goals because the Puritans and the Quakers alike approved of industry and material advancement. For, whereas physical pleasures were evil, hard work and achievements were regarded as indications of inner goodness.
When the Eastern Seaboard, comprising the thirteen colonies, became overcrowded, the settlers began to move west. The opening of the Middle and Western States increased the sense of hope and faith. And this looking forward beyond the immediate present, this belief in the future, has become a national characteristic that may partly explain the speed of American advancement in so many areas of activities. The democratic system, first voiced in Jefferson's Declaration of Independence in 1776, may be traced to this basic attitude of hope and confidence.
The American Dream, however, originally relates to a desire for spiritual and material improvement.
The "American Dream" The "American Dream" can be interpreted in many ways. ... I don't believe that any two people could have the same "American Dream." ... As the time goes by, the "American Dream" changes. ... At this point in my life I am not sure I have an "American Dream." ... So now I leave you with one question, what is your "American Dream?" ...
Revolutionist gave birth to the American Dream. ... The American Dream evolved into a materialistic dream. ... The American Dream is all about money. ... The American Dream isn't a simple dream to live out; the Americans today can make the dream impossible to live because of what the standards are for the American dreams are today. ... The Americans today turned the American Dream into something most Americans will never be able to achieve because the extremely high standards that are set for dream. ...
MY AMERICAN DREAM What is the meaning behind the American Dream? ... The American Dream is a universal term, which holds pride as its definition varies from each person. The American Dream consists of our founding fathers" vision of freedom to a new generation of Americans who, being so inspired, will hold high the light of freedom. ... Through this, the American Dream has created a voice for all Americans in the course of demonstrating their willingness to act. ... From then on, the fulfillment of one's dreams and the grounds of feeling hopeful were both associated with America...
American Dream The idea of the American Dream has dominated American literature since the founding of America. ... Many people have their own idea of what the American Dream is. American writers present different views of the American Dream. ... Another view of the American Dream is that it is not entirely American. ... To me, the American Dream is whatever you make it. ...
Since the spawning of our great nation, the United States of America, there have been conflicting opinions as to what the true concept of the "American Dream" is and what it may mean to each person. ... He actually had two answers for his definition of the "American Dream," one more superficial than the other. ... After conducting my research, I have come to believe that my personal "American Dream" is a dream that I have obtained from those around me. ... The "American Dream" is embodied in each and every American citizen, whatever social or financial class they may be. It has become somewha...
Because of the plethora of opportunities we have in America, the American dream is a reality to many people today. ... Clearly, there is no cut and dry definition of the American Dream. ... The idea that everyone has an equal opportunity to succeed in American is known as the American dream. I am surrounded by examples of the American dream fulfilled in my life. ... Living in America, we are very fortunate to have endless freedoms, which contribute to the validity of the American dream. ...
The "American Dream". What is the American Dream? ... Some American Dreams are to have a family, and an average job. ... There are many different kinds of American Dreams, and they all differ on the each individual person. But we have to realize when we say what our "American Dream" is, the word "Dream" is in the sentence, we have to work hard to make these dreams come true. ...
"The American Dream" is often something that society wonders about. What is the American dream? ... a young age about the way life is and what the American dream is to him. ... John Cougar Melloncamp writes a lot of his songs on the American dream. ... It is not just American's that want the American dream. ...
What exactly is the American Dream? ... "The American Dream is the same as the French Dream and the Iraqi Dream and the Somolian Dream it is to find a way to connect in a significant way with people you love." ... What is happening to the American Dream? ... In my opinion, the American Dream is a fantasy. ... Happiness and the reality of the American Dream are found once we have abandoned all of the false dreams and created a dream of our own. ...
The Great Gatsby - The American DreamThe Great GatsbyThe Great Gatsby, a novel by F. ... That is the classical American Dream, at least for some. ... Is having the American Dream possible? What is the American Dream? ... Living the American Dream is living in perfection, and that by definition is not possible, thus deflating our precious American Dream. ...
