American Dream

The Idea of the American Dream

The native American , like the alien immigrant , conceives the better future which awaits himself and other men in America as fundamentally a future in which economic prosperity will be still more abundant and still more accessible than it has yet been either here or abroad With all their professions of Christianity their national idea remains thoroughly worldly . The Promise , which bulks so large in their patriotic outlook , is a promise of comfort and prosperity for an ever increasing majority of good Americans (Croly in Lind , 2004

p Originally the American Dream concept was born out of lack and a genuine need for security shortly after the Great Depression and WW2 . Because jobs were scarce , the greatest aspiration for most Americans was securing steady employment and owning their own home . As a result , work ethic and integrity were very strong . The focus was on a wholesome values system , family and community , all of which created pride , real prosperity and real joy . However , over time the same prosperity which resulted from being a nation of producers , also created a nation of consumers , driven not by need but rather by the desire to keep up with the Jones 's (Geela , 2004

In light of these definitions of the American dream , this concept is a recurring theme in a lot of works of literature . The works that are examined for the purposes of this refer to the same concept but from a different Perspective . The Powwow Highway ' by David Seals is a story about the journey of two Native Americans ' journey to Santa Fe . Cherrie Moraga 's "Breakdown of the Bicultural Mind ' included in Names We Call Home` by Becky Thompson and Sangeeta Tyagi are the views of a half-Mexican lesbian . Another essay from this book is Afro Images Politics , Fashion , And Nostalgia by Angela Davis is from the point of view of African Americans

The American dream , traditionally , is thought of as achieving a life of prosperity and financial security . It is a dream that Americans strive for that motivates them to work hard . It is a concept that represents the country (Cullen 2004 . The works mentioned are of different s written by Americans of different races . These works give readers an idea of an American dream of achievement apart from what is traditionally aspired for

In Powwow highway , two Native American Indians Philbert and Buddy make an unforgettable journey to Santa Fe to rescue Buddy 's sister , who was thrown in jail as a result of his actions as a tribal activist , against land grabbers who oppress a group of his people . This story explores the Native American 's consciousness , hopes , dreams and aspirations as a part of the American Nation . In a way , it discusses their take on the American Dream , their wish for equity and justice and mutual respect for differing cultures . Their American Dream is one where they are free of oppression from people of other races , to live peacefully and be treated...