The American Dream: Chasing the Illusive Ideal
Definition: The aspiration that every US citizen should have an equal opportunity to achieve success and prosperity through hard work, determination, and initiative.
Synonyms:
- Rags to riches
- Land of opportunity
- Pulling oneself up by the bootstraps
Antonyms:
- The glass ceiling
- The rat race
- Dead-end job
Related Terms and Expressions:
- The American way: Refers to the core values such as democracy, fairness, and justice believed to be inherent in American society.
- Manifest Destiny: The historical belief in the inevitable expansion of the United States across the continent.
- The Land of the Free: A patriotic term associated with the freedoms and rights enshrined by the United States Constitution.
Famous Uses and Quotes:
📖 Alexis de Tocqueville, Democracy in America (1835):
“The image of prosperity, achievable through hard work…”
🗨️ David Abrahansen:
“The American dream is in part responsible for a great deal of crime and violence…”
🗣️ Langston Hughes, Let America Be America Again:
“Let America be the dream the dreamers dreamed…”
Thought-Provoking Literature and References:
- Book: Death of a Salesman by Arthur Miller - A powerful tragedy that critiques the hollow pursuit of the American Dream.
- Song: “Born in the U.S.A.” by Bruce Springsteen - A song often misunderstood as purely patriotic, offers a scathing critique of American society.
- Movie: The Pursuit of Happyness - Based on a true story, exemplifying perseverance in achieving the American Dream.
- Poem: Let America Be America Again by Langston Hughes - Reflecting on the unfulfilled promises of the American Dream.
Humor-Filled Quotes:
🗯️ Will Rogers: “Even if you’re on the right track, you’ll get run over if you just sit there.”
💬 George Carlin: “They call it the American Dream because you have to be asleep to believe it.”
Proverbs and Sayings:
- “The early bird catches the worm.”
- “Hard work pays off.”
- “No pain, no gain.”
Quizzes:
📝 Final Thought: The American Dream, while an attractive idea, also brings with it many complexities and contradictions. It suggests a level playing field that in reality may not exist for all, making it both a source of inspiration and a subject of scrutiny. What does the American Dream mean to you? 🌠
