Thoughts on an American Dream



The American Dream has been sought after since the mere idea of a “dream” had surfaced. Many take to describing this dream as that of happiness and the belief that every citizen has the ability to transform their life into success and achievement, through perseverance. Throughout American history, the hope for a better life has been pined for by individuals countless times. With the Declaration of Independence to the wealth-driven dreamers of the Roaring 20’s, the American Dream continues to be desired even in the modern world.

My personal American Dream lies with the belief that individuals should live almost selfishly, in a world they no longer feel guilty for chasing after what they truly want. People are too often shamed for wanting such grand lives for themselves, or for harboring huge dreams that may never be reached. Others may put down self-oriented dreamers and consider them to be unrealistic for wanting something so selfishly and egotistical for wanting something so beneficial towards their happiness. Yet, as children, Americans have always been taught to never give up on their dreams, regardless of how big they may be. Somewhere along the transition from adolescent to adult it became unacceptable for those living in the older generation to have such coveted, almost childlike desires. Individuals who are so selfishly concerned with their own wants and needs tend to be looked down upon, but in an incredibly individualistic society, how can one not become enveloped by their hopes and dreams? In F. Scott Fitzgerald's novel The Great Gatsby, Fitzgerald writes “Americans, while occasionally willing to be serfs, have always been obstinate about being peasantry.” Fitzgerald highlights an important aspect of Americans and their underlying beliefs, being that they may settle for a less than wanted position if it means hope for a better future, yet are so completely opposed to being deemed at the lowest possible ranking for fear of a hurt ego. Americans are individualistic and selfish at heart, when examining how adamant citizens can be towards achieving a preferred status of living. There is beauty in relentlessly doing whatever one can to acquire their dreams, no matter how unrealistic. The self-indulgent drive is necessary towards obtaining all of what one truly wants, which is why I stand by my American Dream of being able to live in an environment where traits such as being selfish and self-oriented are not frowned upon but praised. In order to accomplish and undertake all that one inclines to have in life, there is a necessary amount of egotism that will spark the drive towards personal success. Individuals who stray from being wholly individualistic and self-loving are unlikely to accomplish all of their goals, one needs to be entirely attune with their wants and indulges to seek whatever it is they truly aspire to become.

Comments

  1. UnknownAugust 29, 2017 at 3:38 PM

    Wow, I really like your perspective on your own American Dream. We most certainly live in a society that degrades and adds negative connotations to great accomplishments such as wealth, simply due to overwhelming jealousy. Living in a world where people's accomplishments are celebrated rather than attacked in envy would be entirely more positive. It's absolutely fascinating that despite all of our successes and accomplishments as humanity, we still have so much more work to do, and the existence of the American Dream embodies that as a whole.

    -Jenna Shapiro

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  2. UnknownAugust 29, 2017 at 4:22 PM

    Loved the Gatsby quote as that is the book where The American Dream was really, thoroughly introduced to me. Your perspective is so unique and individualistic and I love it! Selfishness and self-indulgence is such a trend these days with our generation, but the connotation has become a positive one! I always see people on social media cheering on those who post about successes or who are simply "feeling themselves". Because of that, so much self-love and encouragement has spread widely, which I think is really the undertones of the American Dream: to be happy with oneself.

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  3. UnknownAugust 29, 2017 at 11:42 PM

    I completely agree with your idea that we should never give up on our dreams no matter how impossible they seem. I actually wrote my blog based on this same thought! I actually had a dream that seemed unrealistic for the longest time, but I was able to live it this past year. It was such an eye opening and amazing experience. It sounds dumb that I moved my whole life to another state just to be on a cheer team (which was my dream), but I did it anyway because it made me happy, and I wanted to do something for myself. Logically, it probably doesn't make sense because it isn't going to get me anywhere in life, but the sense of self accomplishment is indescribable. I think it's so important for people to have big goals and to dedicate themselves to accomplishing them. Setting these goals keeps people motivated and gives them something to look forward to in the long run.

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  4. Erin FlewSeptember 1, 2017 at 6:01 AM

    I have never even read The Great Gatsby. I probably should since so many students bring it up when I use the American Dream as a theme for my classes.

    ReplyDelete

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