The American Dream. Background and development

Thèse Scolaire , 2015 , 23 Pages , Note: 1

Philologie Américaine - Culture et Études de pays

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.

Inhaltsverzeichnis (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

Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)

This skilled work aims to analyze the “American Dream”, a concept that has captured the imagination of people worldwide. The main objective is to determine whether this dream, with its promise of prosperity and fulfillment, is a myth or a reality. The work delves into the history of the American Dream, exploring its origins, development, and evolution. It also examines the role of immigration in shaping the dream and its impact on American society.

• The definition and origins of the American Dream
• The role of immigration in shaping the American Dream
• The impact of the American Dream on American society
• The existence of the American Dream in contemporary times
• The challenges faced by immigrants in pursuit of the American Dream

Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)

The first chapter delves into the definition of the "American Dream," exploring its various interpretations and the historical context surrounding its emergence. The second chapter introduces two prominent figures, Martin Luther King and Chris Gardner, who embody the American Dream. Chapter three explores the historical development of the American Dream, focusing on foundational myths and the Declaration of Independence. Chapter four examines the significant waves of immigration to the United States throughout history. The fifth chapter focuses on the current state of the American Dream, addressing its contemporary relevance, immigration patterns, and challenges related to illegal immigration and legal regulation.

Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)

The core keywords and focus topics of this work include the American Dream, immigration, social mobility, economic opportunity, equality, freedom, and the impact of historical events on the concept of the American Dream.

• Note: 1
• Auteur: Carolina Bricks (Auteur)
• Année de publication: 2015
• Pages: 23
• N° de catalogue: V347069
• ISBN (ebook): 9783668365971
• ISBN (Livre): 9783668365988
• Langue: anglais
• mots-clé: American Dream, Declaration of Independence, Legal and illegal immigration to the US in the past and now, MLK, Chris Gardner, Myth and reality, Foundation myths