This essay will focus on the origin of the American Dream and its key elements on the one hand, and try to prove its veracity on the other hand.
Even though the term ‘The American Dream’ became a well-known saying describing an assumed very specific phenomenon, its meaning is as vague as it is ambivalent. It is, nevertheless, a crucial part of the American national identity and a symbol of a nation’s self-conception. One could argue that Thomas Jefferson already lay the foundation of the most famous myth of all time by declaring “these truths to be sacred and undeniable; that all men are created equal and independent,” and are thus entitled to “preservation of life, & liberty, and the pursuit of happiness” (Jefferson 243).
More than a century later, James Truslow Adams rewrote Jefferson’s words in his novel The Epic of America by saying, “The American dream, the dream of a land in which life should be better and richer and fuller for every man, with opportunity for each according to his ability or achievement." (Adams 404). While Adams focused on the hope for a better and happier future for everyone, regardless of their social, ethnical or religious decent, Richard Nixon stressed the material aspect in his First Inaugural Address in 1969, by defining "full employment, better housing, excellence in education; in rebuilding our cities and improving our rural areas; in protecting our environment and enhancing the quality of life" (Lawler and Schaefer 84) as key elements of the American Dream. Martin Luther King dreamed of freedom and equality for all American citizens and that they ”will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character” (King qtd. in Kirck 82) and two decades later, during his First Inaugural Address in 1981, Ronald Reagan reminded his people of their uniqueness as "too great a nation to limit (them)selves to small dreams." (Reagan qtd. in Grafton 109)
Although often merely political calculation during election campaigns, those previously mentioned variations of the most famous dreams of all times illustrate two things; On the one hand that each generation interprets the American Dream in its very own way, and on the other hand, it’s fundamental value for the American society.
Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)
- 1. The American Dream - An Introduction
- 2. The American Dream - A History of Origins
- 2.1. The Brave New World - A Mythical Dream
- 2.2 The Holy Commonwealth - A Religious Dream
- 2.3 Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness - A Political Dream
- 3. The Fundamental Elements of the American Dream
- 3.1. Freedom and Equality
- 3.2. Melting pot
- 4. Dream or Nightmare? Conclusion and Outlook
Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)
This essay aims to explore the origins and key elements of the American Dream, examining its historical evolution and assessing its validity. It investigates how the concept has been interpreted across different generations and its enduring significance for American society.
- The historical development of the American Dream, encompassing mythical, religious, and political interpretations.
- The fundamental elements of the American Dream, such as freedom, equality, and the "melting pot" ideal.
- The evolving interpretations of the American Dream across different generations.
- The impact of the American Dream on American national identity and self-conception.
- An analysis of the veracity of the American Dream.
Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)
1. The American Dream - An Introduction: This introductory chapter establishes the ambiguous and multifaceted nature of the "American Dream," highlighting its central role in American national identity. It traces the evolution of the concept from Jefferson's declaration of inherent rights to later interpretations emphasizing material prosperity, social equality, and national exceptionalism, demonstrating the varying perspectives on this iconic ideal across different eras and political figures.
2. The American Dream - A History of Origins: This chapter delves into the historical roots of the American Dream, examining three key perspectives: the mythical, the religious, and the political. It explores the portrayal of America as a "brave new world," a land of opportunity and abundance, contrasting utopian visions with the realities experienced by early settlers. Further, it analyzes the role of religious persecution and the Puritan search for religious freedom in shaping the dream, highlighting the interplay between aspiration and lived experience in the formation of this national identity.
2.1. The Brave New World - A Mythical Dream: This section focuses on the mythical conception of America as a land of recommencement, opportunity, and wealth, tracing its roots in European utopian ideals. It examines early accounts of the New World, highlighting both positive depictions of abundance and idyllic landscapes, and the often-ignored reports of hardship and disease. The chapter contrasts these idealized visions with the realities of colonization and conquest, analyzing the psychological factors that contributed to the creation of a powerful national myth.
2.2 The Holy Commonwealth - A Religious Dream: This section explores the influence of Puritanism on the American Dream. It examines the religious motivations behind the migration of Puritans to the New World and how their search for religious freedom shaped their conception of the ideal society. The section delves into the theological underpinnings of Puritanism and its impact on the development of a distinctly American religious identity, showing how religious ideals intertwined with the broader aspirations for a better life.
Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)
American Dream, national identity, myth, history, origins, freedom, equality, religious freedom, political ideals, material prosperity, social mobility, immigration, utopianism, Puritanism, colonization.
Frequently Asked Questions: A Comprehensive Language Preview of the American Dream
What is the purpose of this document?
This document provides a comprehensive overview of a text exploring the American Dream. It includes a table of contents, objectives and key themes, chapter summaries, and keywords, offering a structured and professional analysis of the topic.
What topics are covered in the text?
The text explores the origins and key elements of the American Dream, examining its historical evolution and assessing its validity. It investigates how the concept has been interpreted across different generations and its enduring significance for American society. Specific topics include the historical development of the American Dream (mythical, religious, and political interpretations), its fundamental elements (freedom, equality, the "melting pot" ideal), evolving interpretations across generations, its impact on American national identity, and an analysis of its veracity.
What are the main chapters and their content?
The text is structured into four main chapters: Chapter 1 provides an introduction to the multifaceted nature of the American Dream. Chapter 2 delves into its historical origins, examining mythical, religious, and political perspectives. Chapter 3 focuses on the fundamental elements of the dream. Chapter 4 offers a conclusion and outlook. Further sub-chapters explore specific aspects within these main themes, such as the mythical "Brave New World," the role of Puritanism ("Holy Commonwealth"), and a detailed analysis of freedom and equality.
What are the key themes explored in the text?
Key themes include the historical development of the American Dream, its fundamental elements (freedom and equality), the "melting pot" ideal, evolving interpretations across generations, the impact of the American Dream on American national identity and self-conception, and a critical analysis of the dream's veracity—whether it is truly achievable or a persistent myth.
What are the key historical perspectives on the American Dream?
The text examines three primary historical perspectives: the mythical (America as a land of opportunity and abundance), the religious (the role of Puritanism and the search for religious freedom), and the political (the influence of ideals like life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness). Each perspective is analyzed for its contribution to shaping the national identity associated with the American Dream.
What keywords are associated with the text?
Keywords include: American Dream, national identity, myth, history, origins, freedom, equality, religious freedom, political ideals, material prosperity, social mobility, immigration, utopianism, Puritanism, colonization.
- Quote paper
- Kristina von Kölln (Author), 2019, The Myth of the American Dream. Dream or Nightmare?, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/945746
