Probably everybody has heard about it, being legendary and part of many people's lives: the American Dream. But is it really a dream? A myth, an Illusion, we wake up from – disappointing and simply untrue? Or is it reality? This question is answered through many points dealing with the issue.
This paper defines the term "American Dream" and shows how the dream might have developed, examines the biographies of famous representatives, such as Martin Luther King and deals with the resulting massive immigration to the US in the past and today, giving deep insights into America´s history and showing the present day American Dream.
Table of Contents
Introduction:
1. The term “American Dream“
1.1. Definition: What is the American Dream?
1.2. When and by whom was the term used first?
2. Some famous representatives of the American Dream
2.1. Martin Luther King:
2.2. Chris Gardner:
3. How could the American Dream have developed?
3.1. Foundation myths :
3.2. The Declaration of Independence:
4. Immigration to the US in past and the tidal waves of immigration
5. The American Dream today
5.1. Is the American Dream still alive?
5.2. Imigration today:
5.3. Illegal immigration
5.4. Legal regulation of immigration
6. Conclusion and my own statement towards the question whether the American Dream is a myth or reality
7. Sources:
Objectives and Topics
This academic paper aims to critically examine the concept of the "American Dream" by investigating its historical origins, its representation through notable figures, and its current relevance in the context of immigration, ultimately answering whether it remains a viable reality or a pervasive myth.
- Historical definition and origin of the term "American Dream"
- Case studies of Martin Luther King and Chris Gardner as representative figures
- Evolution of American foundation myths and the Declaration of Independence
- Analysis of historical and contemporary immigration waves to the US
- Investigation of current challenges regarding legal and illegal immigration policies
Excerpt from the Book
2.1. Martin Luther King:
Martin Luther King was born on January 15th in 1929 in Atlanta, the capital of the state of Georgia. His mother worked as a teacher and his father was a Baptist parson. Martin Luther King was black and was already confronted with racial segregation when he was a child. Until the 60s, black people and white people had no equal rights in the US. There was racial segregation in public transport and public buildings, for example, there were separated schools, hotels and restaurants. There were separated signs for wite and coloured people in toilets, on benches and in waiting rooms. White people also had a better income and better living conditions.
When Martin was young, he saw Ku Klux Clan members appearing at night frightening the black people. He saw how brutal the police treated the blacks and how unfair they were treated by court. He knew towns and villages, where they were even killed. When he was a little child, he played with two white children every day. One day he was said, they could not play with him any more. Even as a child, he already had the following opinion: racial segregation was not fair.
Chapter Summaries
Introduction: The introduction presents the central research question regarding the validity of the "American Dream" and outlines the methodology, including the use of literature and internet sources.
1. The term “American Dream“: This chapter defines the core concept of the American Dream and traces its etymological origin to the historian James Truslow Adams.
2. Some famous representatives of the American Dream: This section explores how Martin Luther King and Chris Gardner embody the American Dream through their pursuit of equality and personal success.
3. How could the American Dream have developed?: The chapter discusses the historical evolution of the dream, focusing on national myths and the ideals enshrined in the Declaration of Independence.
4. Immigration to the US in past and the tidal waves of immigration: This part examines the four major historical waves of immigration that shaped the demographic and social landscape of the United States.
5. The American Dream today: The author analyzes the current state of the dream, focusing on contemporary immigration dynamics and the legal framework surrounding the United States.
6. Conclusion and my own statement towards the question whether the American Dream is a myth or reality: The conclusion synthesizes the findings, offering a nuanced perspective on whether the dream persists as a reality or has become a myth.
7. Sources: This section lists all bibliographic references and web sources used for the completion of this paper.
Keywords
American Dream, Immigration, Martin Luther King, Chris Gardner, Declaration of Independence, Civil Rights, USA, Myth, Reality, Migration, Green Card, Illegal Immigration, Social Mobility, Equality, History.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary subject of this paper?
The paper focuses on the concept of the "American Dream" and explores whether it serves as a reachable reality or remains an unattainable myth in the United States.
What are the central themes discussed?
The core themes include the definition and history of the American Dream, the impact of significant historical figures, the history of immigration to the US, and current immigration policies.
What is the primary goal of the research?
The main objective is to provide a comprehensive analysis of the American Dream and ultimately answer whether the concept still holds true today through personal and historical evaluation.
Which scientific methods are employed?
The author utilizes a descriptive and analytical approach, drawing information from historical accounts, biographies, academic literature, and current statistics found in books and on the internet.
What content is covered in the main body?
The main body examines the definition of the term, profiles of representatives like Martin Luther King and Chris Gardner, historical development via foundation myths, and an extensive review of immigration waves and modern legal regulations.
Which keywords characterize this paper?
Key terms include the American Dream, immigration history, civil rights, legal frameworks like the Green Card, and social mobility.
How does the author define the American Dream in the context of Martin Luther King?
For King, the American Dream was not about material wealth but rather focused on freedom and equal rights for black people in the face of systemic discrimination.
Why does the author consider Chris Gardner a representative of the American Dream?
Gardner is portrayed as an example of overcoming extreme adversity, such as homelessness and poverty, through hard work and perseverance to eventually achieve professional and financial success.
What is the author's final conclusion regarding the "myth or reality" debate?
The author concludes that the American Dream is both a myth and a reality; it depends heavily on individual circumstances, opportunities, and personal character.
- Quote paper
- Carolina Bricks (Author), 2015, The American Dream. Background and development, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/347069
