What is the American Dream?

The term was first used by James Truslow Adams in his book The Epic of America which was written in 1931. He states: The American Dream is "that dream of a land in which life should be better and richer and fuller for everyone, with opportunity for each according to ability or achievement. It is a difficult dream for the European upper classes to interpret adequately, and too many of us ourselves have grown weary and mistrustful of it. It is not a dream of motor cars and high wages merely, but a dream of social order in which each man and each woman shall be able to attain to the fullest stature of which they are innately capable, and be recognized by others for what they are, regardless of the fortuitous circumstances of birth or position" (p.214- 215). In the United States’ Declaration of Independence, our founding fathers: "…held certain truths to be self-evident, that all Men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness." Might this sentiment be considered the foundation of the American Dream? Were homesteaders who left the big cities of the east to find happiness and their piece of land in the unknown wilderness pursuing these inalienable Rights? Were the immigrants who came to the United States looking for their bit of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness, their Dream? And what did the desire of the veteran of World War II - to settle down, to have a home, a car and a family - tell us about this evolving Dream? Is the American Dream attainable by all Americans? Would Martin Luther King feel his Dream was attained? Did Malcolm X realize his Dream? Some say, that the American Dream has become the pursuit of material prosperity - that people work more hours to get bigger cars, fancier homes, the fruits of prosperity for their families - but have less time to enjoy their prosperity. Others say that the American Dream is beyond the grasp of the working poor who must work two jobs to insure their family’s survival. Yet others look toward a new American Dream with less focus on financial gain and more emphasis on living a simple, fulfilling life. Thomas Wolfe said, "…to every man, regardless of his birth, his shining, golden opportunity ….the right to live, to work, to be himself, and to become whatever thing his manhood and his vision can combine to make him." Is this your American Dream?

The above information was found at the following web site: http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/ndlpedu/lessons/97/dream/thedream.html GREAT QUOTES ABOUT THE AMERICAN DREAM:

1. “Everyone has a right to peaceful coexistence, the basic personal freedoms, the alleviation of suffering, and the opportunity to lead a productive life…” Jimmy Carter – Former President

2. “I look forward confidently to the day when all who work for a living will be one with no thought to their separateness as Negroes, Jews, Italians or any other distinctions. This will be the day when we bring into full realization the American dream -- a dream yet unfulfilled. A dream of equality of opportunity, of privilege and property widely distributed; a dream of a land where men will not take necessities from the many to give luxuries to the few; a dream of a land where men will not argue that the color of a man's skin determines.” Martin Luther King, Jr. – Activist

3. “We need a new spirit of community, a sense that we are all in this together, or the American Dream will continue to wither. Our destiny is bound up with the destiny of every other American.” Bill Clinton- Former President

4. “My fellow Americans, this is an amazing moment for me. To think that a once scrawny boy from Austria could grow up to become Governor of California and stand in Madison Square Garden to speak on behalf of the President of the United States that is an immigrant's dream. It is the American dream.” Arnold Schwarzenegger – Actor and Politician

5. “The American dream is, in part, responsible for a great deal of crime and violence because people feel that the country owes them not only a living but a good living.” David Abrahamsen-Author

6. “In this remarkable time for the world, I refuse to believe it’s time to stop believing in the possibilities of our remarkable country. I refuse to accept the downsizing of the American Dream. I refuse to bet against American entrepreneurial spirit and American ingenuity. The competition’s tough, and it requires us to be tougher – tough minded, never hard hearted.” John Kerry-Politician

7. “I think, in a lot of ways, celebrities represent the American dream. They have financial fluidity and options at their disposal.” Adrian Grenier-Actor

8. “I'm in a weird band. We've done very well. The American Dream is alive and well. “ Gene Simmons – Musician

9. “The road to success is not easy to navigate, but with hard work, drive and passion, it's possible to achieve the American dream.” Tommy Hilfiger-Clothes Designer ------

“Unless we make education a priority, an entire generation of Americans could miss out on the American dream.” Blanch Lincoln-Politician American Dream Written Response Use evidence from the excerpt by James Truslow Adams and the famous quotes to answer the following questions in complete sentences

1. In your own words, write a short response concerning the American Dream. What does this phrase mean to you? How do you define the American Dream? What aspects embody the American Dream? How is it achieved?

2. After reading the article, how is your definition of the American Dream different than Adams’s definition? Explain.

3. Have your views changed after reading this article? Why/Why not?

4. What aspects are included in the ideal dream for all citizens?

5. How is the American Dream different for certain people?

6. Do you believe the American Dream can be achieved? Have we achieved the American Dream in any aspect?

7. In what ways does our society abide by the values of the Declaration of Independence? Does every citizen receive the rights that the Declaration embodies? Explain.