Different Dreamz



In the modern day it may be a bit more difficult to see the American Dream in action, as often when referring to the dream itself, people typically tend to speak about it in reference to the past, as if it has already came and gone. With this perspective, it seems as if the American Dream had more value and meaning in the past, during times when Americans needed something to hold on to. Yet, in 2017 we witness values of the American Dream, but not necessarily the dream itself in the same light as we would of in 1972. In USC Professor Walter R. Fisher’s “Reaffirmation and Subversion of the American Dream,” two American Dreams are focused upon, being a materialistic dream and a moralistic dream, both claimed to be central towards maintaining an overall dream in the country. The claims made within Fisher’s piece are relevant in modern times, specifically how materialism encourages self-centeredness and how moralistic values feed on our guilt.


Materialistic values connote feelings of individualism and a lack of compassion. Often those who are consumed by materialism are obsessed with wealth and luxury. Fisher describes this aspect of the dream as such: “...It promises that if one employs one’s energies and talents to the fullest, one will reap the rewards of status, wealth, and power. The materialistic code assumes that one will pursue one’s self-interest, not deny it for the betterment of someone else,” depicting how the materialistic dream centers heavily on individualism, and caring for only oneself. The individualistic nature to the materialistic dream is applicable in today’s time when examining the survival of the American Dream as people need to care for their needs and wants if they wish to achieve what they truly desire. In order for the American Dream to continue to be in existence, individuals need to be self-oriented and concerned with their success. Although, I believe that the materialistic dream in Fisher’s claim of the overall American Dream is necessary towards maintaining the dream only to an extent. Too much self-absorption and narcissistic characteristics will drive people towards a continual chase after a certain dream, rather than being content with a dream that they may have already achieved as they will never be satisfied with what they have and will continue to fuel their materialistic desires.


The moralism dream focuses on how one has the freedom to be whoever they want, along with maintaining values of compassion and dignity. Compassion is less noticeable in modern times than self-centeredness, but it is still present in different aspects of society. Fisher examines why the moralism dream is functional in society: “...That appeal is predicated on the arousal of guilt for what we are in respect to what we should be,” representing how appeals to moralism in society feed off of the guilt individuals may feel in regards to how they should be or act. This feature to the moralistic dream alludes to why people donate to charities, or do things out of the fact that they would be doing them for a “good cause.” In today’s society, I feel as though this characteristic to the moralism side to the American Dream is apparent as people are constantly supporting a new cause or endorsing a certain charity, but whether those individuals are doing so for the benefit of others or themselves is unknown. Nonetheless, the moralistic dream is necessary to maintain the overall American Dream as people generating or contributing to causes that may help support the dream of those less fortunate is a part of keeping the American Dream alive.

Comments

  1. UnknownOctober 16, 2017 at 1:18 AM

    It is unfortunate that in today’s society, we are still obsessed with the materialistic mindset nearly 30 years later. People are obsessed with the idea that how much you own determines how wealthy and successful you are in American society. The concept of individualism is also incredibly evident because most people believe in order to become wealthy and possess a lot of materials you must do it on you own without the concern of other people. At least with moralism, you still have the option to to be a materialistic person but with values, like, as you said, compassion and dignity. I think that compassion is still noticeable in modern times because of the several activist movements and the unity formed as a result of the recent terrorist attacks.

    ReplyDelete
  2. UnknownOctober 16, 2017 at 4:26 AM

    When reading Fisher’s article, I also found it to be interesting how much he stressed the concept that America will have no sense of identity if it loses sight of its dream. He mentioned this multiple time throughout his article, saying “without dreams or myths, a man or nation is without a past, present, or future (161). Fisher continues to claim that our country will have no sense of direction without the American Dream, but this does not seem to be an issue that our generations are concerned with. I never hear my peers discussing the importance of the American Dream to the beating heart of our country, its necessity to our survival. This can only mean that the light of the American Dream has begun to extinguish before our generation, leading us to wander into this country in the dark. We have a difficult time understanding and finding a meaning for the American Dream in comparison to people who lived 50 years ago. It is harder for us to detect a missing sense of optimism throughout society if we have nothing to compare it to. Fisher, among several others, are extremely concerned about the presence of the American Dream, and they are forced to come to terms with the idea that it is adapting with the rest of the country.

    ReplyDelete
  3. UnknownOctober 16, 2017 at 8:18 AM

    I hadn't really thought much about those who believe in the materialistic myth never being completely satisfied but you are totally correct! I was told from a young age that those who are materialistic are never completely satisfied because when they receive something they want, they just want the next best thing. It would make sense that this type of mindset stretches to their belief in the American Dream. A materialistic mindset fuels off of an "I want that" attitude and continues whenever they get something they want. It's unfortunate people have such a selfish view on the American Dream but I can't give them much blame. I sometimes find myself associating a bit with materialism however it is not so powerful that I would vote for a candidate that bases their campaign on materialism.

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Final Dreamz

Image
So, I focused primarily on gender and the American Dream and how the opportunistic feature of the dream is unequal when concerning genders as there are certain notions embedded into society that place men at a higher ranking of success than women. The issues revolving around this idea is that the success and opportunities of women are hindered by the gender stereotypes that surround aspects of living such as education, occupations, income and more. I learned that men and women share slightly different definitions of the American Dream. In terms of the nature of the American Dream, men responded by saying that it was mostly about acquiring material goods, while women were more likely to say that the Dream was about acquiring spiritual happiness (White & Hanson 84). I found that interesting as I would of also expected a sentiment towards material goods from women, however the spiritual happiness I had expected to have greater numbers by women. More knowledge I encountered on my re...
Read more

American Values & What Not

Image
The nation as a whole is composed of various ethnicities and cultures yet America has a distinct nature and connotation associated with its individuals. When referring to Americans, the first words that may come to mind are “individualistic,” or “self-centered,” which are both entirely accurate and a distinction that shouldn’t be frowned upon by fellow Americans as that is just simply what the country was raised with. We, as Americans, are inherently individualistic people, a characteristic that was simply meant to be. In Gary Athen’s chapter entitled "American Values and Assumptions," from American Ways: A Guide for Foreigners in the United States, different American values are elaborated upon and presented in such a way that explains American behavior. Specifically, Athens discusses values including individualism and time, both of which I can relate to my own life and realize how they have exerted influence. Athens presents individualism as his first value and goes i...
Read more