American Dream – Essay 9
American Dream – Essay 9

American Dream – Essay 9

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James Adams coined the phrase "American Dream" in his book, which has now become a widely recognized symbol of the United States.

The American Dream, which refers to the aspiration for greater prosperity and abundant opportunities in the United States, can be difficult to attain in today's society. The obstacles of achieving prosperity and limited job openings caused by high unemployment rates often prevent individuals from fulfilling this dream. However, there was a period from the early 1700s to 1950 when the American Dream was achievable. During that time, there was less competition and higher employment rates, allowing immigrants to explore numerous opportunities available in America.

During the 1920s, there was an economic boom that provided ample job opportunities for new immigrants. This is exemplified in Chang Rae Lee's Native Speaker, where his father quickly found work upon arriving in the U.S. and even ope

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ned a grocery store to take advantage of the prosperous era. Similarly, Nathaniel Hawthorne's Scarlet Letter depicts how the Puritans sought a new land to establish a thriving society and successfully created a utopia separate from England, demonstrating the achievability of the American Dream in the early 1700s. However, present-day obstacles hinder individuals from realizing their own version of the American Dream.

The pursuit of the American Dream in modern society presents a range of challenges, varying in difficulty. In today's world, attaining this dream necessitates hard work and capitalizing on advantageous opportunities. The current competitive landscape compels individuals to outperform their peers in order to secure respectable employment. Given that education is readily accessible throughout the United States, most people are educated and literate, making it exceedingly difficult to find opportunities without exerting

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effort. Additionally, immigrants now face additional distractions that impede them from realizing their true aspirations upon arriving in the United States. In "The Stranger Beside Me," the protagonist Ted Bundy had to enroll in university to obtain a better education and enhance his chances of employment. However, due to his lack of dedication, he was compelled to abandon that path and pursue an alternative career.

The imposition of taxes on the general public has increasingly hindered profit-making. In the 1700s, immigrants had easy access to unclaimed land; however, nowadays, it is necessary to purchase land from a realtor in order to build a house. Nathaniel Hawthorne's character Hester Prynne was unable to achieve the American Dream due to having an illegitimate child, which limited her opportunities and caused her alienation from society. The rising cost of higher education poses challenges for immigrants aspiring to attend such institutions and obstructs their pursuit of the American Dream. This dream envisions a land where life can be better, richer, and fuller for all individuals, with opportunities that are based on individual abilities and accomplishments.

According to James Adams, the writer who popularized the term "American Dream," achieving it is a difficult task for the European upper classes. He also recognized that many individuals have grown weary and skeptical of this dream. In the modern era, it remains exceptionally challenging for regular citizens to attain the American Dream due to limited job prospects for both immigrants and those without higher education.

The immigrant may face challenges when trying to pursue opportunities due to factors like lack of higher education, financial resources, land ownership, and increased competition. In the early 1700's, achieving the

American Dream was more attainable because there was less competition and most people had the potential for success. However, in the 21st Century, hard work and determination are crucial for anyone aspiring to achieve the American Dream.

Citations

  • Adams, James. Epic of America. 1931. Print.
  • Hawthorne, Nathaniel. Scarlet Letter.
  • Bantam Classics. NewYork: Bantam Classics, 2003. Print.
  • Lee, Chang-Rae. Native Speaker.

NewYork: RiverheadBooks, 1995. Print.

  • Rule, Ann. `The Stranger Beside Me. 20th edition. Print
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