What is The American Dream?

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What is The American Dream?

The term "American Dream" first was used by the American historian James Truslow Adams in his book "The Epic of America" published in 1931. At that time the United States were suffering under the Great Depression. Adams used the term to describe the complex beliefs, religious promises and political and social expectations."The American Dream" has become a widespread term to describe the American Way of Life in general, but it is by far not that easy." The American Dream" always has something individual. That is, why till today no one succeeded in giving a universally acceptable definition of the term.

Another reason is the permanent change of the "American Dream", which always made it a highly discussed topic within the American Society. So, not only American authors like T.C Boyle in his novel "The Tortilla Curtain" are dealing with the topic of "The American Dream", but also Hollywood used and still uses it in a lot of movies, for example in "Pretty Woman".A lot of American historians say "The American Dream" even has its beginnings in the Declaration of Independence and the first European Settlers because the basic idea is that every man and every woman shall, regardless of their birth, achieve what there are able to do. Everybody shall be treated and seen equally and be recognized by others for what they are and have reached, refering to their position.For a lot of people "The American Dream" is connected to becoming wealthy and the ability to achieve everything if one only works hard enough for it (From rags to riches). For others it is much more and is beyond materialism. For them it is the dream of living a simple, happy and fulfilling life and the most important features being faith and equality. "The American Dream" also is about liberty and America being the country of unlimited opportunities.

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Another aspect is that America is Gods' chosen country ("City on the shining hill" meaning the new Jerusalem) and all Americans have to bring "The American Dream" to the rest of the world, such as Democracy and American values. Also the idea that immigrants of different nationalities, different ethnic backgrounds and different religious beliefs can be fused into a new nation without abandoning their diverse cultures. The idea of America being a melting pot where everybody can live peacefully together. "The American Dream" has a lot to do with America being a country of immigration, and these immigrants all hoped to live a better life in the new world.Concluded one could say "the American Dream" is the belief of the US-American Society that each individual can, through hard working and strength of mind, achieve everything.However, it is also highly controversial, because did Martin Luther King realize his "American Dream"? Or Cándido and América did they even get the opportunity to achieve everything, regarding their abilities?

Is The American Dream Real?