Defining the american dream

challenging american dream essay example

1. Woratee Promlikhitkul
Dr. Dana Nichols
Writing 100
American Dream
The United States of America, with the commonly known by the name “Land of the
free,” is clearly the most unique country in the world. Consists of people from many races
and ethnicities, it is the society which contains a unique combination of cultures brought
along by the diverse population. However the ideal life for the citizens of the United States,
the American dream, is a very controversial topic. The definition of the American dream
can be determined and represented by many methods according to each person’s point of
view. Some might say that it consists of prosperity and successful life. Others might argue
that it is more on the security view point that everyone should be able to live a secure life
with cares from the society and government. All in all, it is an ideal life that individuals want
to achieve in this country. In my opinion, the American dream is a bit different from that.
The ideal life for the citizens of land of the free consists of three main subjects. The first
one is the ability and rights to chase one’s own dream. The second one is the right to be
accepted as an individual. The third one is freedom from oppression. The following essay
will discuss these characteristics of the American dream through examples and ideas from
the famous readings about the United States of America.
The first characteristic of the American dream, that people should be able to pursue their
own dreams, is one of the most basic idea that built up the culture of the United States as it
is. It is always the ethos of the Americans to work hard to be able to get what they want
and be successful. People are encouraged to follow their dreams and try their best to make
them come true. As commonly seen in today’s society, people, especially young people,
have passion about something. This passion can be anything and they are encouraged by
their family, their friends, and people around them to go ahead and try to do their best to
make them come true. As commonly seen in the society, there are many clubs and
institutions that are created in response of people’s need of places to further participate in
their hobbies and interests. The area of study in universities is also very large. It allows
students to pursue any academic field that they want to learn about to satisfy their thirst for
knowledge in those particular field. Since the beginning of the United States of America,
many races and ethnicities of people flowed in to the new emerging nation. Even when it
has not become the United States yet, people came to seek better lives and opportunities.

2. The second characteristic is rights to be accepted and respected as an individual. The ideal
society for America is the society in which different people can live together in harmony. In
other words, people should be unified but embrace the differences between one another.
These differences can be anything. They can be a big topics such as races, ethnicities,
religions, ideas, languages or small things like hobbies or interests. Equality despite
differences is a very desirable thing. History has shown that by accepting the differences
and acknowledgement of others can lead to prosperity. Schlesinger clearly stated this point
of view in his article, “The cult of Ethnicity.”
In the 20​th​ century, new immigration laws altered the composition of the American people,
and a cult of ethnicity erupted both among non-Anglo whites and among nonwhite
minorities. This had many healthy consequences. The American culture at last began to
give shamefully overdue recognition to achievements of groups subordinated and spurned
during the high noon of Anglo dominance, and it began to acknowledge the great swirling
world beyond Europe. Americans acquired a more complex and invigorating sense of their
world – and of themselves. (Schlesinger 144)
The final characteristic that defines the American dream is freedom from oppression. As
the nickname of this country already says quite clear, the United States of America’s ideal
environment is where freedom is given to each and every single citizen. Oppression will not
be tolerated in this land of the free. As John F. Kennedy said in his inaugural address, “Let
every nation know, whether it wishes us well or ill, that we shall pay any price, bear any
burden, meet any hardship, support any friend, oppose any foe to assure the survival and
the success of liberty.” (Kennedy 139) The United States also clarified its stand since the
early times of the nation that it will pursue the right of people and will not let tyranny be in
power over the people. The example for this is stated in the declaration of independence by
Thomas Jefferson.
We hold these truths to be self evident: that all men are created equal, that they are
endowed by their Creator with inherent and unalienable rights; that among these are life,
liberty, and the pursuit of happiness; that to secure these rights, government are instituted
among men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed; that whenever
when any form of government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the right of people to
alter or abolish it, and to institute new government, laying its foundation on such principles,
and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their
safety and happiness. (Jefferson 391-392)
In conclusion, though the American dream may be defined differently, in my point of view, it
consists of a set of rights. First, people should be able to pursue their dreams and do things
they want to. Second, people should be accepted as they are and they should cooperate

3. with others peacefully. Third, all the people should be considered equals and be free from
unjustified oppression. The American dream is the ideal society and concept that people of
the world, not just Americans, should try to achieve through cooperation and understanding
of others around them.














Works Cited

4. Jefferson, Thomas. “The Declaration of Independence.” ​Creating America. ​Ed. Joyce
Moser and Ann Watters. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Education, 2005.
391—395. Print.
Kennedy, John F. “Inaugural Address.” ​Creating America. ​Ed. Joyce Moser and Ann
Watters. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Education, 2005. 138—141. Print.
Schlesinger, Arthur M., Jr. “The Cult of Ethnicity.” ​Creating America. ​Ed. Joyce Moser
and Ann Watters. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Education, 2005. 142—
145. Print.