The American Dream as a Myth

The American Dream is such a central concept to those living in this country, it resonates with anyone who’s ever had a dream. The undying faith for the betterment of one’s life serves as a constant reminder that nearly anything is attainable as long as you’re willing to give it your all and accept that it most definitely won’t come easy. In “The Making and Persistence of the American Dream,” an introduction to Sandra L. Hanson’s and John Kenneth White’s anthology The American Dream in the 21st Century, the American Dream is analyzed and questioned as to why it is so difficult to achieve, yet still remains so relevant in even the most desperate of times.


The section that intrigued me focuses on the American Dream as a myth, explaining how it never dies in a country that has faced so many devastating events. Americans in varying time periods have undergone drastic obstacles towards their dreams and continue to cling to the American Dream as hope for a better future. With events such as The Great Depression and the recession in the late 2000’s, Americans still managed to believe that the American Dream was alive. The willpower of citizens to cherish a notion so strongly proposes a thought: How could people continue to believe in a sheer concept of a dream when they were experiencing a time that questioned the stability of the country that developed the dream itself? Hanson and White add explanation towards the never dying American Dream: “After all, myths last because they are dreams fulfilled in our imaginations. So it is with the American Dream.” Hanson and White describe the dream as persisting due to the imaginative nature of Americans that causes them to relentlessly hold onto dreams that may never be reached and the notion of the American Dream presenting itself as a fantasy that only adds to the attractiveness of it.

The idea of the American Dream being a “myth” appeals to me personally as I’ve always been fascinated by the make-believe. As a young teen, I considered the notorious American Dream to be something unachieveable, rather I believed it to just be a concept that kept Americans working towards their goals. I observed my parents striving for what I thought to be their American Dream: to give their children a better foundation than what they had. My parents certainly accomplished this dream, although they still work towards solidifying it. I think continuing to work for a dream that may have already been obtained is the American Dream in its purest form. The mythological aspect to the dream is significant in that it keeps people striving for more, it allows them to consider certain fantasies a reality. More importantly, the American Dream will never die due to its mythological stature, it will continue to be in the imagination of Americans for generations to come, which will foster the foundation of new dreams.

Comments

  1. UnknownAugust 31, 2017 at 3:51 PM

    I really enjoyed reading your take on the American Dream as something mythological, rather than something tangible. I believe that the mythological side of the American Dream either attracts those striving to attain it or unfortunately turns them away. In the society we live in today, individuals typically set large goals, all with a tangible endgame- a medal, a plaque, a trophy, etc. Thus, when we fall short of our goals, we really feel it within as we walk home empty-handed. If we were to set our American Dreams on the basis of the dream as a myth, I feel that we would work harder, since our endgame is only in our head for ourselves to see. Likewise, the failures would hurt less due to the fact that we would not physically see our goals stripped from us (as we would if someone else were to achieve our goal instead of us). The American Dream truly is something special, as seen in its ability to withstand the hardships that have plagued our nation time and time again.

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  2. UnknownAugust 31, 2017 at 5:04 PM

    That was a really interesting read, and I completely agree with the idea that it is a myth, something that will never go away. People need to keep clinging to the American Dream. It is something that continues to drive us. It is ever-present, always pushing us to better ourselves. Maybe our dream initially was to get a college education, buy a house, and raise a family. But the American Dream pushes us forward to maintain the life that we worked so hard to get, causing us to continue to grow as people. And as we grow as people, our lives improve. When you were talking about how continuing to work for the American Dream, even though one might've already achieved it, I was reminded of The Great Gatsby. Gatsby achieved wealth and power, but he still yearned for more in Daisy. He had the ideal American Dream, but continued striving for more, as we all should. Just, you know, don't acquire all that money just to impress someone ;)

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  3. jAugust 31, 2017 at 7:42 PM

    The view that the American dream as a myth is interesting to me as well. A myth means an invented or fictitious idea. I also agree that when people view the American dream as a myth it makes it seem more inspiring and something to strive for. For many people in the United States it keeps people busy and it helps to make our country great by having everybody work their hardest even when actually achieving the dream may seem impossible and far away. For example, many people in the United States never actually achieve their personal American Dream but their pursuit in trying to achieve their American Dream was worth it. It made them work harder and try more than if they did not have the American Dream in their sights. This system is what pushes our country to grow and it makes Americans develop their work ethic and character which is a good thing for all of us in America.

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    Replies
    1. Erin FlewSeptember 2, 2017 at 9:39 AM

      Good analysis of the ideas, both in this post as well as Hanson and White.

      When you think about it, many ideas are invented ideas. Even the idea of what an American (or any nationality) is an invented idea. That really spun me when I started thinking about that.

      IMO, invented ideas don't have to be bad, as you point out, but it's important to think about them.

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  4. UnknownSeptember 1, 2017 at 8:39 AM

    Wow that was a great post. I like how you describe the mythological appeal of the American Dream. Its imaginative nature definitely makes it something that will always be around because people will always imagine and people will always dream. The American Dream, in that aspect, will always be eternal. It might be stronger in America during certain times or less present, but it will always stick around because ideas like that, that are so central to the foundation of America itself, will remain relevant for it is something that pushes America to progress. The American Dream will stick around as long trees continue to plant seeds for new trees and people continue to have faith in their American Dream.

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  5. Erin FlewSeptember 2, 2017 at 9:40 AM

    Really interesting post, Alexa. I like how you focus on this part of White and Hanson. We'll read more about the American Dream as myth as the semester goes on.

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