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Post by danvolpone on Feb 6, 2016 14:50:07 GMT
While everyone has different aspirations, the American Dream always has to do with being in a better place than one started at. Many people growing up in poor families may hope to one day own a home, as seen by the stereotypical American house with a white picket fence. However, middle class families often hope to become wealthy through a college education and a professional job. Gatsby had a similar dream but a different means of accomplishing it, as he resorted to organized crime to earn his wealth. People born wealthy, as shown by Tom Buchanan, do not well exemplify the American Dream, as they do not have the opportunity to move up in status. However, for those who do have the opportunity to move up in status, the American Dream is the same: to be in a better situation than they started in. In our current society, parents often chase this dream through their children, pushing them to do things that they were unable to do. This can sometimes result in success, but it can also result in a broken relationship if the child does not want to pursue the dreams of their parents or has different dreams.
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Post by morganmassino on Feb 6, 2016 15:52:15 GMT
Dan, you make an interesting point! If the people who inherited wealth and who have always been wealthy have achieved the American Dream without trying, what do they aspire to be? They are already high in status and do not have the same worries that lower-class citizens have. Do the wealthy have a different American Dream of their own? Do they do whatever they can to preserve their wealth and status? Some who have achieved the American Dream are so scared of losing it, and that fear ruins any happiness that was supposed to come along with the Dream.
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Post by dgarrett on Feb 7, 2016 1:49:09 GMT
Great ideas Morgan and Dan. I agree with your statements about people being born into a wealthy status. Nowadays we see wealthy people try their hardest just to stay wealthy. In Tom Buchanan's case, he seems to be stressed out all of the time even though he had more money then he knew what to do with. Do you think he was in the situation that rich people are in today? Or does his stress just come from the other troubles that he had throughout the story?
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Post by subhanikp on Feb 7, 2016 2:00:40 GMT
I disagree with your point that the modern definition of the American Dream requires a betterment of one's situation. The American Dream of today stresses increased happiness and satisfaction over increased wealth and possessions. The way to achieve happiness is by pursuing one's passions, regardless of the material outcome these efforts may produce. Therefore, even if people are not able to better their situation during the span of their lives but still find happiness in working on their own crafts, they are still achieving the American Dream. The American Dream that you are discussing is the one prevalent in past history.
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Post by danvolpone on Feb 7, 2016 3:01:14 GMT
Subhanik, since you didn't vote for the Sixers to win the Super Bowl, I have no comment.
Dillion, I think that it is a combination of both. He streeses a lot about making sure others know just how wealthy he is. This is likely because he has more money than he needs to be happy, so he gets other happiness from showing it off. But also he is probably stressed as he is looking to catch his wife cheating while hiding from her that he is cheating on her, which would understandably stress anyone out.
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annej
New Member
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Post by annej on Feb 7, 2016 5:14:14 GMT
Subhanik, I agree with your point that the modern day American dream is more about happiness and passion than achieving wealth and a better social status. With the constant development of society, the American dream is constantly changing and everyone will have their own experiences with it. In today's society, the American dream is more about giving each person an equal chance to pursue their goals and live a happy, fulfilling life and less about wealth and fortune. Even in some past instances, however, today's interpretation of the American dream can be seen. For example, we see Gatsby, who went from rags to riches, struggle to achieve happiness and true love, despite his great fortune, thus failing in achieving the American dream.
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Post by ryanwalchonski on Feb 7, 2016 16:01:08 GMT
Suby, is this your idea of the modern American Dream, or could you give me some sources? The American Dream is totally subjective, which is the beauty of it. Everyone measures their own means of success. When people move to America and leave their family in their country of origin are they seeking happiness? I would guess no, then they would bring their family (unless they dislike their family). People who migrate to America believe there will be better job opportunities or they will get paid more, unless they are escaping prosecution. In essence, there is no definition to the modern American dream, so anyone can really achieve it poor, rich, happy and unhappy can all achieve the American dream.
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Post by echeng on Feb 7, 2016 22:51:14 GMT
I disagree with your point that the modern definition of the American Dream requires a betterment of one's situation. The American Dream of today stresses increased happiness and satisfaction over increased wealth and possessions. The way to achieve happiness is by pursuing one's passions, regardless of the material outcome these efforts may produce. Therefore, even if people are not able to better their situation during the span of their lives but still find happiness in working on their own crafts, they are still achieving the American Dream. The American Dream that you are discussing is the one prevalent in past history. ^This sounds like an SAT prompt! To what extent does happiness trump over material outcomes? Also, I believe in a combination of Dan's and Sub's responses; while achieving the American Dream often results in the betterment of one's situation, that betterment is not a necessity. Also adding on to Ryan's comment, I agree that the American Dream is subjective, so making the assumption that today's definition of the American Dream focuses on happiness over wealth/possessions is stretching it a little. Many people today still desire wealth and possessions to the point that they are willing to sacrifice happiness or satisfaction- people like the underprivileged or minority groups who desperately need money and materialistic possessions to survive. Essentially, there is a gray, blurry line between happiness and wealth, making it difficult to separate exactly what the American Dream is about today. |
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Post by hopekim on Feb 8, 2016 6:02:01 GMT
Dan, you make an interesting point! If the people who inherited wealth and who have always been wealthy have achieved the American Dream without trying, what do they aspire to be? They are already high in status and do not have the same worries that lower-class citizens have. Do the wealthy have a different American Dream of their own? Do they do whatever they can to preserve their wealth and status? Some who have achieved the American Dream are so scared of losing it, and that fear ruins any happiness that was supposed to come along with the Dream. This reminds me of a conversation that I just had this weekend! My friends and I were talking about how a meet and greet ticket for Justin Bieber a few years ago would have been around a couple hundred dollars, which is a hefty amount! But now, even though Justin Bieber obviously has enough money and is extremely wealthy, his meet and greet tickets are up to a couple thousand dollars. Now, to answer your question, "Do the wealthy have a different American Dream of their own?", yes and no. Yes, because they are not increasing their wealth and success to just survive or have a little bit of luxury. However, no, because they are essentially just trying to do what anyone who wants to achieve the American Dream wants to do: work hard to be successful. And "Do they do whatever they can to preserve their wealth and status?" in Justin Bieber's case, yes. He increased his ticket prices so that he could live in excess and more excess; he wants to do whatever he can to continue living the lifestyle he currently is living. In a blanket statement that is most likely generalizing too much, I think that once you taste wealth and the upper class lifestyle, you want to keep tasting that kind of life, so Justin's mentality seems appropriate for many wealthy people. Then again, Justin is a very exceptional case in the American Dream. Does this prove that the American Dream is NOT impossible but when it is possible, it only occurs once in a lifetime? |
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