Blog #2: The Never Dying Dream
The American Dream is an everlasting concept that has survived centuries despite the changes to our society. This idea stays alive due to the comfort and hope it provides citizens. I find it interesting how Americans stay optimistic and strive for what seems like an unreachable dream even when faced with the most difficult of times.
As I read the introduction to The Making and Persistence of the American Dream by Sandra Hanson and John Kenneth White, I was intrigued when the authors referenced a comment from sociologist, Barry Glassner. Glassner empahsizes citizens' standing hope that they will some day reach their American Dream: "You want to hold onto your dream when times are hard. For the vast majority of Americans at every point in history, the prospect of achieving the American Dream has been slim, but the promise has been huge" (6). Many Americans believe that holding onto the American Dream will provide them with a hopeful future. As Glassner points out, not everyone will become the president or a billionaire, yet Americans still strive everyday in hopes of achieving their dream. With hard work and dedication, Americans believe they can accomplish, or at least work to accomplish, their fantasies. Even in times of economic despair, Americans are able to hold onto that sliver of glistening hope that they someday will achieve success.
I find it fascinating that the American Dream still persists even when pressure is placed on it. The American Dream seems to endure a lot, yet this idea has been passed down through generations. The dream provides comfort and security which tower over the uncertainty that people may express if they had no hope to cling onto. I believe that holding onto hope is something that is helpful for people because it provides a positive outlet necessary for everyday life. The dream offers a path for people to have hope and retain a positive attitude on their road to success. When you have lost sight of all hope, you begin to blame yourself. As pointed out in the text, a mechanic blamed himself when things did not turn out as he hoped, "I [the mechanic] could have been a lot better off but through my own foolishness, I'm not" (7). The feelings of despair overwhelm you, as it did this mechanic, when it seemed as if he could not manage his life. He didn't have hope of achieving his dream, and with that came no motivation to change his ways.
Overall, Americans turn to the American Dream to provide ambition to keep pushing on, even when times seem hard. The idea persists throughout centuries and never dies due to its standing power over people. Society clings onto that hope because they recognize role models who have found solutions and have achieved the American Dream. Success stories of the accomplishments of the American Dream provide strength and hope for people that they too may be able to reach their dream. The generalpopulation realizes that people have overcame
adversity and this provides the confidence that
many Americans need.
The American Dream is individualized, but the concept provides an umbrella of hope in which many Americans take comfort in. Personally, I believe that with hard work and a vision of my American Dream, I am able to keep a positive attitude knowing that I am working towards something. I find satisfaction in the fact that my vision of the American Dream provides me with a goal and all my hard work has a purpose.
Differing from my post, yours was much more optimistic. I do think it's extremely important that we hold onto The American Dream, regardless of how difficult it is. It's so much more than a dream, it's a reminder that you aren't stuck in the place you were born. The son of a farmer can grow up to be a doctor and the son of a doctor can grow up to be a farmer. This is true as long as we hold onto the idea of the American Dream. Describing it as an "umbrella of hope" is an really accurate definition to most people. However, some umbrellas have holes in them and it's the people standing under the holes that are failed by the American Dream.
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed reading your post. I definitely agree with you. I think that the American dream is a sign of hope for people across the US. It gives people a reason to live, and it allows people to believe that they are fully capable of leading better lives. I think that the American dream is mysterious, and it can make life exciting.
ReplyDeleteThat quotation from Glassner was super intriguing, and I'm glad you highlighted and analyzed it as well as the way this plays out in society. Thanks, Rachel.
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