Monday, February 4, 2008
The American Dream?
Recently, the topics and issues surrounding the frequently-heard expression "the American dream" have become more pronounced than usual. Two of my friends handed in their term papers today about how the American dream had either died or altered to become a mad race to acquire and use illicit drugs. In class, we got onto this topic because of Crevecoeur's frequent allusions to the "American dream;" in my opinion, however, the 'AD' is so loosely-defined that it can really refer to anything, as Arka brought up. This convenient piece of information has helped millions to achieve what they call their dreams. In most cases, though, I think that the American dream symbolizes a rags-to-riches success story for immigrants to the country; it's for this reason that so many immigrants are now coming over our borders, legally or illegally. I think the real reason that the 'AD' continues to survive today when success (in all its forms) are so difficult to achieve is because of a vocal minority of people who have fulfilled the dream itself. For example, Snoop Dogg, Demi Moore, Sarah Jessica Parker comprise three of only a few people who are very open about their humble beginnings and the rise to certain success. While our society strongly emphasizes education as a certain road to success, there are plenty examples of those who achieved without an education and those who fail with high qualifications. But what, exactly, is success?
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
8 comments:
I totally agree that the American Dream does continue to survive today because of a vocal minority that continue to prove that riches can be obtained from rags via hard work. What is success? That is just as open to interpretation as what is the AD? For some people success is finding a loving spouse, for some people success is becoming a millionaire, and for some people success is beating a drug addiction. I guess the only definition I could offer would be that success is accomplishing whatever goals you set for yourself.
First of all, guys, while I am glad to see that someone has posted about the American dream (I thought it was a very interesting discussion in class today) we don't need to have two posts with the EXACT same title about the EXACT same thing! I know we all want to get participation points, but can't we at least read each other's work before we blog? That being said...I agree with what most have suggested, that the AD cannot be defined. As with all words, there is never one singular meaning. Meaning will change relative to context. But I'm still curious about one thing - does the AD still exist? I maintain that we would like to think it exists. We all want to believe that if we work hard we can achieve our goals. But it is getting exceptionally more difficult to achieve the AD. If the AD is social mobility - starting out from rags and going to riches - this feat is clearly possible as ubiquitous examples prove. However, in today's world, is this likely to happen to the majority of people? I don't think so. For most working positions, some degree of formal education is required. Perhaps this is unjustified, but it's undeniable. It doesn't matter how hard you work - you need the diploma. Maybe this is too simple of an example, but I think of athletes facing similar situations. I've found that hard work will only get you so far in sports. You need to have that natural talent and ability to truly excel. You may give your 110% during sports season, but your 110% is someone else's 50%. Not because they work harder than you - but because they work hard and they have they were born to do it. Life's not always a product of the effort you put into it.
Ian, this post reminds me of "Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas." Throughout the novel, by Hunter S. Thompson, the two main characters search for "The American Dream." The novel is based on based on Thompson's own experiences during the 60s and early 70s.
Through the entire novel the two characrters are under the influence of drugs and alcohol. The author frequently mentions the Vietnam War and the radical activism that was an effect. The two characters never define or discover what the "American Dream" is. Instead they their search leaves them in a seedy diner in North Las Vegas, a symbol for those who went to Las Vegas to try and find wealth but failed.
I don't think the American Dream has died. I think it has just changed with the American culture. Maybe for some people the American Dream is to make a lot of money and use drugs. The Kennedy's made their wealth from selling liqour during Prohibition, and they're practically considered royalty in America (and Ireland). If the American Dream has transformed into something else entirely it's becuse we have much more freedom than some countries and different morals.
Hey, it's Erin.
Part of the American Dream might be a "rags-to-riches" success story, and the media might play it up that way, but I think that the reason that it continues is that we all have it in the back of our minds, the idea that we can accomplish our goals, whatever they may be, through things like hard work. I disagree that it's alive because of "a vocal minority of people who have fulfilled the dream itself". Maybe their dream, but not necessarily THE dream (which is different for every person). The reason you hear of them is because the news stories aren't going to be about some mom is in the suburbs who has a job she loves and kids - who would care (I don't mean that in a bad way, but it's not a story that the news would play).
I think another manifestation that we see of the AD other that rags-to-riches stories are stories about the underdog. How many movies are there about those that couldn't possibly win/succeed at whatever, but did it anyway against all odds. We love those stories; we support the underdog and cheer them on because deep down we feel that there ARE possibilities, we CAN achieve what we want to, no matter what. And that's why people love them.
Ashley, I didn't read your post before, but maybe you should read the posts first before blogging. While Ian and I did write about the American Dream we wrote about different aspects of the American Dream and our different views. Maybe we both were writing arund the same time and posted around the same time?
It’s funny you say that, Dierdre, because I actually did read both of your posts and I checked the times that they were posted. You posted at 2:35 PM while Ian posted minutes later at 3:48 PM on the same day, February 4th. Perhaps I’ve misinterpreted what you both have said, but it seemed to me like you were both making similar comments about that day's class discussion on the American Dream. (You both define the American Dream / sucess / mention why immigrants come the USA in hopes of achieving their dreams.) I realize that a lot of the posts are related, and one will discuss in detail what another post only briefly touched upon. We've generated great discussion on the blog this way, but considering we have over 100 posts on this blog (more than any of Laz’s other classes), it would be nice if we could condense things a bit. We all have very intelligent and insightful things to say, but I would suggest that we write our thoughts beneath someone else’s post instead of creating a new one. That's just my sentiment...
My name is Deirdre, and Mr. Lazarow told us not to go on the classes' blogs.
Oops! Sorry! Haha I cannot spell. Don't worry, I didn't go on the other classes' blogs. (I would not want to incur the wrath of Laz!) But when you log in with his e-mail / password you see the dashboard with all of his other classes. Beneath the class blog title is a hyperlink with the number of posts that blog has.
I still have not figured out how to write a new post as myself. I can comment as myself, but I still have to use Laz's e-mail / password if I want to write a new post. Can anyone explain to me how to do that?
Post a Comment