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Aufsatz
Englisch

Goethe Gymnasium Hamburg

11 Punkte, Müller, 2016

Laura S. ©
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Comment on Adam's concept and compare it to the American reality of today.

Essay 13.01.2016

When people hear the words 'The American Dream', the first thought wich appears to most of them is ''from rags to riches'' and that America is the land where the dreams of everybody can come true.

In the given extract from the book ''The Epic of America'' written by James Truslow Adams and released during the Great Depression, he coined this expression in another way. He defines ''the American Dream'' as a vision created by humans which states that 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 his ability or achievement'' (c.f. ll. 5 f.). The pursuit of the possibility of free evolvement in your own life based on the equality of humans, no matter what origin, race or religion is the real 'American Dream'.

All members of society have to work together and support each other to 'grow to the fullest and build better' (ll.56 f.).

In contrast to reality Adam's concept is very different. He talks about community and ''the Great society'', for whose atteinment everybody should strive. But unfortunately, the political, economic, and social circumstances of our day make it all but impossible for most Americans to achieve these goals.

This dream converts into the belief that to be happy, one must have an own home, preferably a large, single-family home in a good neighborhood, two cars per family, which are better than the one's from the neighbor and savings for the golden years. And that's exactly that what according to Adam has to be avoided.

They all want to emigrate to the USA and fulfill their own dreams of mostly an easier, better and richer life. In reality, tens of millions in America can't work hard and make their dreams come true simply because they can not get a job. The healthcare and welfare systems are so unequal and warped that they only keep up the inequalities.

In truth, only few people realize the 'American Dream' while the rest continues struggling to prevent poverty.

So in my opinion Adam's concept is very social and not materialistic. The 'American Dream' has a lot to do with America being a country of immigration, and that these immigrants all hope to live a better life in the new world. I think his concept is good for a community but not really convertible because there are to many people out who are just self-focused on their own success.

The gap between rich an poor in America today is still immane and only gets bigger. Thus we can see that the 'American Dream' of only a few enjoying his pros is still accepted by most of people and that Adam's concept is never believed to be implemented.



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