User:Akashponna/sandbox/The American Dream

The American Dream: A loose term which can be defined in many ways, often open to interpretation. Generally, The American Dream is a dream for immigrants, stating that coming to America will provide them with freedom, riches, opportunity, equality and more. The American Dream encourages immigrants from different countries to come to America. Promising them many things which they believe can all only be found in America. This idea has lured many people to America.

More Definitions

 * "the ideals of freedom, equality, and opportunity traditionally held to be available to every American"
 * "a happy way of living that is thought of by many Americans as something that can be achieved by anyone in the U.S. especially by working hard and becoming successful With good jobs, a nice house, two children, and plenty of money, they believed they were living the American dream."
 * "that dream of a land in which life should be better and richer and fuller for everyone, with opportunity for each according to ability or achievement. It is a difficult dream for the European upper classes to interpret adequately, and too many of us ourselves have grown weary and mistrustful of it. It is not a dream of motor cars and high wages merely, but a dream of social order in which each man and each woman shall be able to attain to the fullest stature of which they are innately capable, and be recognized by others for what they are, regardless of the fortuitous circumstances of birth or position."
 * "…to every man, regardless of his birth, his shining, golden opportunity ….the right to live, to work, to be himself, and to become whatever thing his manhood and his vision can combine to make him."

Influences
This phrase and idea has influenced many people from different cultures all over the world. Immigrants believed that coming to America was the best option for them to leave their low class in their countries, be recognized for their abilities, or escape from a corrupt government. Often immigrants in areas with ongoing wars, high crime rates or other harsh conditions dream of coming to America for a safe haven. Between the year 2000 and 2014 there have been 18.7 million immigrants who have traveled to America in search of a better life. Altogether 42.2 million immigrants live in America (as of 2014). This term has brought many immigrants to America and has in turn improved the economy and advancement in America. Silicon Valley in California is a global center for high technology and is highly populated by immigrants. These immigrants have not only provided in the technological advancement in America but have also provided to the economy though businesses and hard work and to culture by bringing food, clothes, and traditions to America.

The Truth of The American Dream/Struggles of Immigrants in America
Though immigrants think that coming to America will easily allow them to accomplish goals and be recognized for their abilities. This is not completely true, often immigrants who come to America realize how hard it is to achieve their goals. They are immediately prejudiced against upon entering the country, from airport security to their first job interviews. Many of them wonder if their struggle through the grueling process of getting a visa or citizenship to America was even worth it. In America, privilege makes a large difference in the effect your hard work will have.

Use in Literature
There are many books which mention or elude to the idea of The American Dream, here are a few.
 * Great Gatsby - F. Scott Fitzgerald
 * Of Mice and Men - John Steinbeck
 * The Grapes of Wrath - John Steinbeck
 * To Kill A Mocking Bird - Harper Lee
 * The House on Mango Street - Sandra Cisneros
 * Death of A Salesman - Arthur Miller

Is the American Dream Dead or Alive?
Many ask this question, asking whether this belief of The American Dream is still true today. As more and more immigrants travel to America, it is clear that many people still have an "American Dream". So you could say that the American Dream is more alive than ever. Though the idea that The American Dream may just be a facade is gaining popularity, many people are still blinded by the things America has to offer.