The American dream does not exist. It is but a simple mathematical calculation. If 1 of every X people are succesfull, where will there be more succesfull people? Most certainly in a large nation like the US, and not in som small country like the France, Spain, Germany, or Italy.

I think the American Dream is the standards society set to live up to. Everyones, well most everyones goal in life is to have the "perfect family", the "perfect car" teh house with the little white fence and a wonderul job that pay tons!!!!!!! Thats the American Dream....

Mr. Bardaji, I don't quote understand what you are saying.

Wealth and success tend to beget wealth and success. But material things are useless if you lack the freedom to use them. Considering America's political roots, individual freedom is the real American Dream. Whether the application of such freedom results things like in Kenna's statement or the simple pleasures of persuing a career in art, Americans dream about being able to do these things. They want the freedom to do so, even though the only things stopping them are their willpower and governmental force.

Sadly enough, that freedom is eroded bit by bit as time moves along.

The American Dream is bogus..we are all tools to the government and fate

I see the American Dream more as a constantly evolving possibility. It is in essence, as others have stated, the pursuit of freedom. Unfortunately that sentence should read "was the pursuit of freedom" for nowadays it is more the concept of wish fulfillment and not so much the ability to achieve it. Freedom to do something is not a blank check that is written to us as we are born, there are cultural limitations that are imposed upon all of us that determine our ability to actually achieve the historic dream of freedom. Having to face this, we now focus upon mundane and retly identifiable wish fulfillment as opposed to the abstract and not easily defined notion of freedom. Buying a car or a house is the American dream as of yet and not merely the freedom to do so. Cuts in education, a government run by wealthy corporations and people who's interest a small in scope and large in greed, these are just two of the things that destroy the American dream of freedom by undermining the potential of everyone to achieve it. Consumption in the end is not the American Dream, although it has become it. Freedom is the American Dream, although none of us can agree on what exactly and how far the notion of personal freedom ranges from the individual, i.e. I have the freedom to do what I want as long as I don't kill you, but our government holds that freedom?

Mr. Richmond, of the many things I could comment upon from your remarks, the most obvious one would be your curious stance on freedom and public education. How does forcing other people to pay for the educations of others (public school taxes) and requiring you to send your children to only the public schools in your tax district encourage freedom? Sounds like authoritarianism to me. Real freedom would be served much better if education were returned to the private sphere.

However, I do agree with your overall point that our goals have changed over time and don't necessarily include furthering our freedom.

to me everyone's idea of the american dream is different. it depends on what kind of person you are. if you are a depressive kind, then you will say negative things about how "there is no american dream". if you are a happy person you'll say that you do want "a perfect house, a perfect car, perfect family, and house w/ a white pictet fence". but my idea of the american dream is that everyone will respect others opinon of what this idea is.

But Drizz i do agree with you when you say that the freedom of acheiveing the "american dream" is being eroded as time goes on. and i think that's because people are taking for granted that they do have these freedoms. they need to look and realize where they got their freedom from.

I think that the Amerivan dream is fake HHHAHAHAHAHAHA

Truely the American Dream is loving all of one's free-time and looking at all one's time as free. Someone very important died to set us free so every waking moment we have is free-time.

The american dream which can be resumed by : " If you live in America and work hard you can become whatever you want " may be right but for the white man . Immigrants after world war 2 came to this country whith this idea , that they could succeed . They thought they would be treated equally ( but they later founded out that this dream was really a dream ) . The white american as always been repressive toward non white men because of is false sense of superiority . He killed the Indians , slaved the black man ( which is not totaly free today , because he his trapped in the vicious circle of poverty and most of them cannot access to higher level education . Higher level education give access to a better life . Also , there's a distinction between a white and a black American . A black American is not American but Afro-American ) . He jailed the Japanese citizens living in USA during the world war 2 ( and never jailed any German though ) . He killed the Coreans , exterminated the Vietnamese ( even if they lost the war they were ruthless to them ) and took possesion of several countries including ( Afganistan ) Irak . Now as you can see all these injustices are being done not to the white men but to the men of color . I'm not racist by any means , but it just bothers me to see how the American treat there immigrants when they built the country and do so much today . The American dream is not an equitable one because inegalities exist and those favor some persons to have more chance of succeding than others .

Mr. Kane, let's not confuse the actions of "white americans" in the past with the "white americans" of today. Don't take the immoral acts of the past and lazily apply them to just one race in the present.

I also think you've got some serious research to do in order to explain why you believe Americans "exterminated the Vietnamese" when it is quite clear the extent of the killing never approached the level necessary to justify such a term. And let's be honest, the American military forces in Vietnam were not exclusively white; another hole in your "white americans" thesis.

If your rational basis for declaring someone or something either racist, discriminatory, or bigoted is merely a broad anecdotal observation that the targets for that person or thing over history have generally been non-Caucasians, then we have additional disagreement. You leave out, most prominiently, the First and Second World Wars and the Cold War with the Soviets, the most destructive events I can think of that the United States participated in during the 1900s. Those nations and people were predominantly Caucasian.

Also, the vast majority of people in this country are the children of second- and third-generation immigrants. The vast majority of this country enjoys a lifestyle, level of comfort, and degree of freedom that the vast majority of the world can only dream about.

On a more fundamental level, you are still incorrect about your redefinition of the American Dream. The willpower to overcome obstacles, hardship, and resistence is present in any person (regardless of race) and that willpower is given the greatest freedom to operate in the United States. I will not deny the residual effects of private racism that some people in this country still hold. Those people are idiots and collectivists. I will also admit this nation has a longer history of acting foolishly and wrongly against some races rather than the opposite. But those times are receding into our past and our attitudes have greatly changed.

The American Dream as I have proposed in my initial post is 100% color-blind because it operates on a deeper level than race.

americans hope for a better quality of life and a higher standard of living than their parents, this is the american dream.

i think the American dream is to be happy, to enjoy the freedom that we have, we dream of content-of one day waking up and saying to ourselves this is everything ive dreamed of- whether it is a spouse that fulfills this, a house, a job, a sunset, a faith, a child, an random appreciation for our work, a sacrifice for the good of someone else- as an American i dream of making a difference, i dream of changing lives for the better, for eternity...

I´m german and I´m kinda confused by all of you... I´m preparing for a class test tomorrow, that´s all about it. I mean isn´t it the "american dream" what you all are talkin about? There are only 12 posts on this page and already you have problems to define what the "american dream" is... I guess the american dream is not longer existant and/or has changed so rapidly and has become so different to every group of american people that nobody can say what this myth is... What you do to try to capture a myth. I guess the real american dream, from the historical point, was to escape from the extrem poverty in Ireland or later the Nazi-Regime, to start all over and work hard for their dream of liberty and peace...
The biggest problems of the Americans are their ignorance and exagerated patriotism (for instance: hang out a american flag at your house in America - no problem, accepted and respected. Do the same with a german flag in Germany and your an idiot and get laughed at and that´s good!) your going the right way to a fuckin insane superpower (anybody read roger moore´s stupid white men? it pretty much sums up what I wanna say...) with a mindless monkey [that wasn´t even truly elected...] as a president that leads you straight into war and you don´t see the majority of people revolting or demonstrating against all that? To me, that´s ignorance... I just don´t get it!
How many americans speak more than their own language? I speak english, french, dutch, german, russian and some spanish. Most people over here would feel kinda shitty speaking only the own language, going on holiday speaking the same way not giving a fuck if someone understands it or not, reguarding everyone as an idiot that doesn´t get it. That makes me kinda sad that I´ve learned your language.
I´d suggest: get yourself some knew guidelines and revolt against this idiot that leads you.

"That makes me kinda sad that I´ve learned your language."

Now, I don't want to sound like a condescending asshole, Ben, but that sentence is poorly structured, and there are loads of grammatical errors in your post.

In any case, proficiency in multiple languages seems to be a pretty irrelevant detail/argument. I've had ample opportunity to learn a different language, perhaps even several different languages, but I haven't. Why? Because quite honestly, it's my choice, and I don't care. Learning a new language wouldn't serve a functional purpose - at least not one great enough to compensate for the trouble I'd have to go through to learn it. It doesn't take a fairly detailed cost-benefit analysis for me to realize that the only plausible reasons for me to learn a new language would be to impress people with my "culture" and "broad horizons," or having an interest in the language itself.

"The biggest problems of the Americans are their ignorance and exagerated patriotism (for instance: hang out a american flag at your house in America - no problem, accepted and respected. Do the same with a german flag in Germany and your an idiot and get laughed at and that´s good!) your going the right way to a fuckin insane superpower (anybody read roger moore´s stupid white men? it pretty much sums up what I wanna say...) with a mindless monkey [that wasn´t even truly elected...] as a president that leads you straight into war and you don´t see the majority of people revolting or demonstrating against all that? To me, that´s ignorance... I just don´t get it!"

Ignorance? Good god man, you cited frickin' James Bond as the author of Stupid White Men! No, the majority of people didn't oppose the war through angry street protests. Acknowledging that maybe, just maybe, despite a government administration's many flaws, they're right about something, and giving your support to them on it, is ignorance? You seem to suggest that agreeing with anything that a government headed by a "stupid monkey" does is ignorant, but your blind acceptance of one side for the sake of the side rather than its ideals is the epitome of ignorance.

Is American patriotism really that exaggerated? Because a few select people hang flags and, at least according to you, Germans don't? First of all, a relatively small number of people have flags hanging outside of their houses, and there are still plenty of people living here willing to openly mock those that DO put up an American flag.

Secondly, what the hell is so bad about hanging a flag outisde your house? "He supports his country! That's repulsive!" Contrary to what you seem to believe, America, despite its flaws, is a damn good place to live, and there are actually people out there that like it. They're not fatasses in mock-cowboy clothes smelling of diesel fuel, cigarettes, and beer. No, they're people who realize that while not as free as possible and desirable, America offers a lot, and is the best country you can live in right now.

Am I proud of "my country?" Not necessarily. Am I proud of the ideals, policies, and individuals that make this country a relatively free, happy place to live? Yes, I am. If that's ignorance, I'd hope to never experience the valuable insight that led you to conclude that learning a few languages and hating my country is the work of genius.

Mr. Dreier, I defined the American Dream as I see it in the initial post. You could address those comments, as they began this discussion, or you could address the other definitions the other commenters offered. I think my first post hasn't yet been conclusively critiqued. The Dream is fundamentally that of the *freedom* to live out your wishes. In that respect, the Dream is universal...the important difference between Americans and everyone else in regards to this is Americans have made far greater strides in respecting and protecting that freedom than other peoples.

I don't understand why you felt you had to inject some American-bashing into the conversation. Enough of that has poisoned this discussion already. But to reply to your statements:

I don't see how the cultural differences between the USA and Germany in respect to flag display demonstrates exaggerated patriotism. If you mentioned something like deliberately abusing the US flag ( http://www.drizzten.com/blargchives/000518.html ) in order to fly it, then you'd have a stronger case. It seems that you don't approve of being proud of your country. That's fine, but what if your country has done things and has people to be proud of?

I think when you wrote "Roger Moore" you actually meant "Michael Moore."

When did "leads you straight into war" become the same as "took the time to present his case to the UN and then spend many months negotiating with heads of state to get a very strict inspections system imposed and followed through, only to have that get thwarted by Saddam several times, leading Bush and Blair and a few allies to start a war"?

You are deeply mistaken to believe that I or any of the pro-war crowd didn't see or know of the anti-war crowd. To say that is laughably wrong. It isn't ignorance; it's deciding to not engage in debate a crowd of people who use slogans, puppets, and insults as their arguements.

How many Americans speak a language other than English? How about at least 47 million, or 1 in 5? That would represent an increase of 15 million over the census taken in 1990.

http://usgovinfo.about.com/cs/censusstatistic/a/foreignlang.htm

Of course, I don't see this as being relevant at all. That's wonderful you speak several languages. Write a book about it or something. In the meantime, the millions of people like me who don't have the time to learn one and don't need to spend the time to learn one will continue on with our lives as happy as we were before. I tried Spanish in high school and German in college. It doesn't qualify me as being a superior human as you think it does.

As for foreign holidays, so what? If the vacationer wants to take on the huge burden of spending time in a place where his native language isn't native, that's his choice to make. If the nation he visits is hostile over this, then people will be less likely to visit. It is certainly a good idea to know some terms and phrases. But your intentional ignorance shines through when you assume all American vacations "don't give a fuck" about communicating effectively overseas. That's about as valid as me saying all German women enjoy freaking Americans out by not shaving their armpits. Kinda stupid-sounding, eh?

I don't support Bush anymore ( http://www.drizzten.com/blargchives/000559.html ) and I want the country turned in a different direction. But I doubt it's the direction you'd want your country turning to.

I am Canadian....yahoo!! So to me the American Dream isn't exactly relevant, but I had to research it for school so I came across this page. We are studying the novel "The Great Gatsby", and for some reason I believe that as Canadians we seem to be little by little losing our identities and becoming more like Americans. Why else would we be studying this? Anyway I guess "the American Dream" is beginning to influence more ppl then just Americans. I am going to use this page for my class research. I hope this is ok. I think it is good to have various opinions on what the American Dream really is. I will quote everyone. I am not going to steal anyone's ideas as my own. If the webmaster objects to this please email me, and I will not use the page. Thank you in advance.

Hey guys. It is me again...the Canadian. Because I am doing research on the American Dream I have been thinking about what it actually is. I have been reading over everyone's opinions, and I think it is possible to sum it all up in a few sentences. The American dream is alive and living in the lives of every American, and everyone in the Western hemisphere. We (even Canadians)live in a place of wealth, power, and importance. Believe it or not, but our every action shapes the "American Dream", and makes the dream reality. We know we are living it, so isnt that enough of a definition in itself? In comparision to many third world countries this place has complete freedom and prosperity. I think that we should be greatful for everything we do have, and thank God for giving us so much. And instead of going to war and looking like the bad guy we should focus our attentions on helping the less fortunate.

Oh and one more thing...I guess the American Dream is relevant to everyone afterall. So ignore some of my rude comments in the beginning. I was being ignorant.

I'm half Canadian myself, Amanda. I miss having a snowy Christmas.

I can't speak for anyone else who has commented (you may want to e-mail them directly) but if you want to use my comments as part of your school project I don't mind. If you can, e-mail me the final product as I'm interested to see what you end up with.

drizz@drizzten.com

Well I am sure they won't mind. Everything will be quoted. It is mostly just a description of the American dream as it pertains to the novel "The Great Gatsby." I thought it would be a good idea to incorporate some quotes near the end of it to describe the American dream today. It isn't a formal piece of writing or anything...just some class presentation thing.

Hi everybody!
I'm a German girl and, like Amanda, I have to do some researches about the American Dream for school. So I thought, first it would be very useful to get a definition of the American dream. I have read the other statements and I think you can say, that freedom is very important, but also success, living standards, equalitiy and power. What does an American say about my thoughts? Is is right?
Maybe somebody knows "The Music of Chance" by Paul Auster? Because that's the novel in which I have to work on. I have to look how the American Dream is presented there, but I think in this book it's more an American Nightmare. Maybe somebody else can comment on that.

Please, don't care about errors, I know my English isn't perfect :-)

THE AMERICAN DREAM...how did that provoke comments on language, flags, racism and politics!???
i think the answer to this is that these are all relevant topics of society, as much in america as they are in the uk, germany, or russia!!It all comes down to the way you view the world. Optimism will mean that for you, the american dream is wealth, comfort, prosperity or freedom. Pessimism will change it to banishing racism and terrorism and making the world a better place. Living every day true to yourself and with good intention is one of the simplest ideas to follow, maybe more people should keep this in mind, and it really doesn't make a difference where you come from!let me know what you think, el

I am fascinated that students in other countries are quizzed on the American Dream.

Certainly for immigrants, part of the dream was/is to assimilate into the society. That is a reason that many immigrants refused to allow their children to learn the immigrant's native language. German immigrants were very rigid in this regard - they wanted their children to be American and believed that speaking English was necessary to become a successful American and that speaking German in the home would lessen the childs ability to learn English.

As for Mr. Drier's comments about language ability, he can have no idea how many Americans speak another language. There are more than 2500 languages spoken in the world, he would have no way of knowing whether an American he met in Germany spoke Korean, Japanese, Swahili, Arabic, etc.

I worked in Germany for 15 years and know full well that Germans are not gifted in language any more than circumstances require - and circumstances require that to succeed, they better learn at least English.

The French government surveyed the French population about 6 years ageo and were shocked to learn that less than 15% of the population spoke a second language.

Finally,Drizz quotes the census study on language in the US. Please note that the figures are for Americans who speak a language other than English in their home (20%)- ie. immigrants. The census figure does not indicate how many Americans speak a language other than English.

PS - I speak French, German and Italian. My children speak German or Spanish. My wife speaks Spanish and French. My father speaks French and Italian. I have friends who speak French, German, Spanish, Arabic, Chinese, Japanese, Tagalog, Afrikaans, Zulu, Vietnamese, Cambodian, Thai, Russian, Polish, Swedish, and many others. Most important, I have friends from all of those nationalities.

I am a third generation US citizen. My heritage is German. My wife is from South America. What I find most interesting is that nobody has mentioned that America encompasses more than the US - it includes all of North, Central and South America. So is there really an 'American Dream', or are we more correct in asking about the US dream? I belive that freedom is the ultimate goal of which virtually every citizen around the world dreams. As others have written before, freedom covers a rather broad spectrum, pretty well summed up in our Constitution and subsequent amendments. If not, then why is the US the country that has the highest rate of immigrants, past and current?

Mike, you are of course correct in reminding us that saying "America" does not automatically imply just the United States. But the phrase "American Dream" has a historical context and that context relates to the 50 states.

Not to be flippant or snarky, but the rest of "America" doesn't seem to be very interested in promoting freedom; they hardly seem willing to preserve what they've got already. America south of the US can be, almost as a whole, written off as single-mindedly against more freedom. They may agitate for dictators and tyrants to be removed but they certainly don't want more economic freedom to go with more political freedom. Canada has promise, but it's a long way off and can't seem to make up it's mind.

Anyway, I agree with you regarding your comment about the US having a steadily high rate of foreign immigration. Those people know what the US is about because they can compare it to something much worse: their home country.

The widespread aspiration of americans to live better than their parents did!

The American Dream does really exist, BUT it is STILL ONLY a DREAM. NOT the reality. Its IMPOSSIBLE to be realized - not in the USA and NOT when Mr.Bush is leading.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION

Was just looking over some of the comments. I made one here awhile back myself. I think it's strange that no one can really agree completely about what the American dream is. Some even say it doesn't exist...hmmm....makes you wonder...who is right?

Why, I'm right of course! :)

Things like this are hard to come to a consensus on because they involve the deeper elements of a person's philosophy. Obviously, I predicate a good deal of mine on personal freedom. Others value security and safety more. It's somewhat muddled by the tendency these days of people to lean towards a relativist stance on core beliefs and ideas...meaning that they'd rather point out that people disagree and therefore there is no "right answer" to some (if not all) moral questions.

Anyway, how did your presentation go, Amanda?

Hi, my name is Veerle and I am a Dutch student (Utrecht University).

Your discussion is very interesting and diverse (especially for "an outsider"). I have done a bit of research on the dream myself (I write an essay on the relation between the American Dream and the global superpower status of America) and found an interesting site that defines the dream very good (in my opinion) and involves all the different aspects of it. It might help your discussion.

I personally think that there are roughly two ways to look at it; material aims or spiritual freedom.

http://mankel.free.fr/AmericanDream/dream.htm

I think the concept of the american dream all comes down to freedom of choice. Everyone everywhere has different dreams in life so there is no one American Dream. so in having the freedom to choose everything you do, you're choosing the way your life will go. Which then makes it up to you to make your american dream your reality.

Hi, it is very interesting to read your comments about the American Dream. I´m German and a have to do some researches about the American Dream, because this could be a topic of my final english exam that will be in one week. By the way, i know that my English is not as good as it should be, but i´m workin on it. It is interesting that so many people do not like to learn other languages. I was bilingual educated and i think that this could be a reason for my huge interest in languages. I speak German, Serbian, French, English and Portugues. Besides from that, i had to learn seven years Latin that i hated, but when i discovered that so many languages have their origin in Latin, it becam more and more interesting and helpful for me.

Ok, now to the American Dream.
Many people say that freedom, pursuit of happiness, lifestyle or success are some main ideas of the American Dream. I like this imagination, because i believe that everything is possible if you work on it.
I understand the American Dream as a way to find to yourself and to manage your life to be happy and successful. I think it is a process that never ends, as well as you can never learn enough (especially me and my written English). But too many people believe that happiness comes through money or things like cars, houses etc. Money makes life easier but i wouldn´t say that it can make you lucky by itself. If you have enough money to buy everything you like than it will take no long time until you realize that the more money you have, the less worth normal things are to you. This is what i discovered for myself, but i think that it is true. Thats why i think that the American Dream is more than living standards or lifestyle. I think it is not wrong to focus on that what makes lucky: Having an aim, a goal that is it worth to do everything for that it comes true. Maybe a perfect aim is this, which you can never complete 100%.
Sorry fo my terrible written English.
DAvid

William hung is a perfect example of the modern times American Dream. William Hung who was kicked out in the first round of Idol has received a record deal for his abilities of being a joke and a good laugh.

The American dream is deeper then just William Hung, The Dream dates back to the discovery of America. When the earliest explorers came to America they had a lust for a country in which a perfect society could be established. They had found a new land in which a dream could be projected, and the dream became American.

The American Dream became appealing again 400 years later, when Europeans wanted to escape from extreme poverty and later the nazi regime. Millions of people including my forefathers immigrated to the land of opportunities, looking for liberty and peace.
Most immigrants were met with poverty and hunger, but some success stories about people going from “rags to riches” kept the dream alive. Even though most people did not achieve material riches, they still had the most important part of the American Dream, Freedom.
When people are dreaming of becoming rich, living with the person you love, or becoming president, what they are really dreaming about is the freedom to do so. Without freedom the dream remains just: a dream.

I believe there is no definition of the American Dream, but it was laid down generally in the declaration, which stated that “ life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness” were self-evident rights of each individual. For some this dream might be a perfect car and a perfect house whit a small white fences, while the dream might be spiritual freedom for some one else.
Whether the dream is considered an inspiration, a vision or a myth has, and will always depend on every individual’s way of thinking. It would be most surprising if the way of looking at The American Dream did not widely differ according to origin, education, experience and age. The safest thing to say about the American Dream is that it is “the motivating forces of American civilization”.

I whish we could end it there, after all the great things said about The American Dream, and don’t take me wrong I believe it is a great concept, and this is a tribute to the American Dream, but its starting to be a dream gone bad.

The dream is suppose to be 100% color blind, when stated in the Declaration of independence that all men are created equal. The Dream is not color blind, slavery, early segregation and glass ceiling in work places discriminating women, blacks and other minorities are a proof of this dream not being perfect. Women and people of color, on average, earn less than white men with the same educational backgrounds.

I also believe the name of The American Dream is misconceiving, most of you were probably not thinking about south America when I was talking about The American Dream. That is just how it is, the American dream is still just a dream in south America, they are definitely not riding The dream with a poverty rate of 54% and unemployment rate of 50%. So calling it the U.S Dream would be more accurate.

The Dream could once be achieved thru hard work and a determined mind, and the poor boy could by his own effort made it to the top. Now The U.S Dream is achieved more by being at the right place at the right time and being willing to go on a journey. William Hung and Paris Hilton have no talents, but they are both riding The U.S Dream, they do this because they have the freedom to do so. Its not the Dream itself who is starting to look bad it’s the people who live it.

Now as freedom is such an obvious thing for us, we can focus on getting that car or that nice perfect house with a white fence. This seems good, and it might be good for some, I am just afraid that The U.S dream is talking away peoples appreciations for the small things in life. In my mind the dream cannot be defined, but we are living it and isn’t that enough of a definition in itself.

This is written in speech form. A few Comments, frases and sentences are taken from other posted comments. And they should receive credit for their work.

One question to Eduard Bardaji: Why isn't China a rich nation with 1,000,000,000 people? And don't call the European states "small states".

I personally believe that all of you are right, because that's what the dream is all about. The right to have a belief and state it in open forum. The dream is different to everyone as lots of great authors and historians have stated. Like Amanda I am studying the American Dream as it relates to "Of Mice and Men" by John Steinbeck. Some of you have strong beliefs in the dream and that is good others believe the dream deoesn't exist at all. That's fine also. I personally believe, as I read somwhere above, "wealth begets wealth" and power and if you are not born into society's vague view of the dream your fight to receive your piece of the pie is just that much harder. I believe it was Thomas Jefferson who wrote (if not I'm sure Drizz will correct me): life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. The dream is that the freedom to pursue that which makes you happy, whatever that may be.

hey. im lucy and im from australia. at school we're studying the american dream as it relates to "The Great Gatsby" by F. Scott Fitzgerald. i just want to ask if it is ok if i use some of the comments on this page for school references. WE've been studying the american dream for many weeks now, and ive come to a great understanding of it.Your comments have helped me to grasp the concept better...you wouldnt realize how difficult it was for my year t understand it and understand why we have to learn about the american dream when we live in australia. i think we're all past that stage by now! but yeh, "the great gatsby" is really a great book...the introduction serves as describing a vision of the epitome of the dream...then the audience realizes that perhaps the dream isnt just all glam.

have any of you read the Great Gatsby? WEll, who do you think achives the American Dream, and what exactly is it?

Hi my name is muthart and i am 18 years old.I need information about the american dream and its definition.Can someone help me by that?
I am very thanksfull.
Byes ^-^

As I read some of the comments I noticed that most of them (if not all) are written by american people. I'm from Colombia and I'm 16 years old and I believe I have a complete different deffinition, a definition for latin american's "american dream". There is a similarity between both definitions: the american dream is about success and winning what you want, what you really desire. The difference for us in latin america is that in order to achieve this american dream we have to go to the United States of America leaving our family, culture, origin and all what we love; in consecuence we have to go away from what has been our life and happinnes to try to have a better life in your country and this, let me tell you, is extremely difficult. Adapting to your culture, getting good job oportunities and receiving the so called "papers" that certify that you aren't an illegal person satying in America most of times are impossible tasks for latin americans. I believe the real american dream is deffinitely to BE AMERICAN, to be one of you people. Life oportunities are supposed to be better in the U.S.A. but I don't think they really are, at least not for most of the people who goes to your country, sometimes taking huge risks that could even affect their life. Sometimes they don't appreciatte what they have in their life and they are blinded by a dream that will never come true.

I think it's really cool people want to be some 1. like Beneatha. She wants to express herself by doing other things. She wants to do a lot of other things so that she can find a better life than what she is living in now. She also wants to find out what she enjoys the most so that she can keep working at it.

burp

To me...the American Dream is a dream of having all of YOUR dreams come true. Like having a successful job that you love and having a family that you also love, and one who loves you, too. Also it would help if your job gave you the money you needed to be happy and comfortable...
What alot of people are saying may be considerd true, but in my OPININON, the american dream is different for each individual. There can be no generalization about the american dream for a large number of people. So who really knows what the american dream is...you only know what YOUR dream is!

yall don even know! whitw fok americon dreemms be stuupid. just 2 let yall know, im black. im proud to be black too. black is beutiful. im gonna tell yall up in here what the americon dreem is. its that you gotta be on top of the game you know cant be lettin no chicken heads mess up yo game.

Clever yet blunt satire or dismal example of reality?

Well, it's possible intoxication could be involved. Can't rule that out.

I think the "American Dream" is a load of trash because when it comes down to it the "Big Dogs" (people with alot of money) are the ones living the "Dream" and the homeless,the lower class,and sometimes the lower middle class are left out to dry. Ok maybe I was a bit too harsh! The "American Dream" is for anyone who can hang in there and is willing to lie, beg, borrow, and steal to get it.

When I was twenty years old, I decided that I wanted to design light shows for big-time rock bands. I went to work for a little nobody club-band, in a little town out in the middle of the weeds, making twenty-five dollars a night. This was 1977. My cat was eating better than I did. That went on for five years, through all of which I paid attention to my work, and swore that I would someday direct lights for a show in Madison Square Garden.

Everybody I knew thought I was just nuts.

I've been designing and directing light shows for twenty-seven years. I've been around the world, and worked with splendid people (many of whom would be familiar if I named names), and yes: I made it to The Garden. Just like I said I would.

I'm going to the Bahamas, tomorrow, for a gig.

Now, there is a big black kink in all this, which I am not going to describe in detail, except to say that I would have given just about anything to have the government out of my way in all that time. Suffice to say that I have walked off high-profile and very profitable gigs because some weenie expected me to step up to the government's line and pay for permission to pursue my dream. That is *not* part of the dream. That's a nightmare.

But I did what I wanted to do. I did it in the biggest market in the world for my work, which is the only way it could have satisfied me. To that extent, I know the Dream is for real. And anyone else could argue that there isn't anything seriously important about running around on rock tours, but I don't care; it was important to *me*. It was my dream.

That's what counts.

After reading the passages written above, I, an American citizen, would like to reitterate a point mentioned several times. Our forefathers came to this land with a purpose, to find freedom from Europe's harsh laws. This holds true for today; immigrants are crossing our borders every day, searching for a better way of life, a life away from the turmoils of maybe a third world country or whatever else. Immigrants come here to the United States because they have heard of our American Dream, in whatever way they might want it or need it. The American Dream is alive for each person within our borders. We live in the American Dream. We, the people of the United States, are the American Dream, because it is only what we are. And yet, we are oblivious to it.

Its not that we are oblivious to it, we just dont realize it right away. No one thinks about the "American Dream",I think they just want to live a good life and have good experiences while doing so. Personally I wanted to have an adventerous life with not worries what so ever, but as I grew up it changed. Now I have responsibilities and what not. But you cannot limit the "American Dream" to just us because we are not the only country in America. There is North America, Central America, and South America. :D Plus everyones dreams are different and have different concepts because we all have different backgrounds and beliefs.

I'm born and living in England, and studying "Of Mice and Men" too.
Many people here have made comments about the American Dream being different to each individual. Does it not follow that everybody in the world has their own dream, are they all American Dreams? What makes your dream American, or what is unique about the American dream? The only examples I've heard from this site of people who have lived out the dream are Paris Hilton and some dude off Idol. Is that really how you want to be? Somehow I can't relate that to "Of Mice and Men", I'm sure you can see why not. Is that what the dream has become, or what?

I'd also like to point out that someone has included women in a list of minorities.

For me, the american dream is not a dream of motor cars and hihg wages merely, but a dream of a social order in which each man and each woman shall be able to attain to the fullest statue of which they are innately capable, and be recognized by others for what they are, regardless of the fortuitous circumstances of birth or position.

hi you are so cool thank you now i know a lot o the american dream. marry me. please.

hi, i'm a student from germany. we have got american dream as a topic in english right now. just wanted to express my opinion of it.
first of all the fundamental thought of the dream is to have boundless freedom. freedom of all kinds. in my eyes americans and foreign immigrants are not aware of the fact that a dream is not a reality but an illusion, if you want to take the definition of the word. the american constitution promisses to create the ground for the so called persuit of happines, which means that every american should be able to become happy, and deliver endless opportunities. but the puritanical values and norms, which were followed by the people first comming to the new continent, expect everybody to work hard, be honest and determinating. if one follows the values he MAY get an opportunity to gain material wealth and power upon others.
nowadays people often missunderstand the meaning of the american dream. they ask: where is my cash? why don't i have power and why am i not rich? based on the famous expression of rags to riches or from zero to hero, as the modern version of the term.
they forget why their ancestors came to america - to be free to work where and as what to would like, not to become rich. the basic thought was to gain opportunities and possibilities for there was a monarchial order in europe at that time. i.e. one couldn't just become what he desired.
so for all you americans who are eager to success:
you will be successfull ONLY if you work hard and follow certain values. they mustn't be of puritanical character, they just must be right. the ones who are able to figure out what is right, might succeed. and remember that failure is no shame. the electric bulb finaly worked after 10000 attempts of the inventor.

The American Dream is a very special thing. It's what sets our great nation and the people who occupy it apart from the rest of the world. In one word, the American Dream is oppurtunity. Oppurtunity to do whatever you want, be whatever you want with a little hard work and motivation. America provides the resources for those who want it. America is where "the streets are paved with gold." Other thoughs: to make each generation better than the next. The freedom to do all of the above.

This is very interesting. I am just amazed to see people with such strong and sensible opinions about the American Dream. I was just trying to define it for my paper and i stumbled upon this page. American Dream is symbolic. It represents freedom. Freedom of religion, customs, tradition, language, occupation...etc. It is different for every person. To an immigrant, it could be to live better than did in his native country. To an American, it could be to live better than his parent lived their lives. The American Dream feeds upon imaginations and desires which can reason the diversity as well as variety one can find in USA.

just another german student...

aint it weird, that only non-american(us) students comment on this topic...

i highly embrace the essencual ideas of the so called "american dream". i just never got why it has to be called the AMERICAN dream. in fact, it very much disgusts me!

for me the term derives from the natural human will to live and move forward as quickly as possible in terms of development.
but the adjective "American" is absolutely irrelevant.

i wanna be free and structure my way of life just as i want to.
and i can! at least as well as any american could! my dream doesnt have anything to do with america.
americans sometimes think, their country would be the best country to live in for it is her, with the highest standard of living and most freedom.
i was in oregon for 11 months. so i know the us. at least a little. i feel a LOT! more free living in the old Europe actually. theres so many rules and regulations in the us! you arent allowed to do shit! theres some cool people living there, just like in any other place in the world. (and ive been to many!) but for some reason, i feel that anti-american hatred, that is so pervasively all over the world, in my heart and soul as well.

i don't really understand why. cos there are so many other countries with idiots ruling them and many ignorant eediots living there... why don't i hate those countries as well?

where does this hatred derive from? anyone got an idea?

its probably cos the rest of the world dislikes how american culture penetrates their daily lifes...

and after all american politics are disgusting! thats no democracy! not at all!!! most americans are living in a dream world, which they regard as the best, free country cos they dont know any other country!!! ignorance! damn... america does make me angry! strange. why do i even care. as long as they attain all their "happiness". happy eh? come on, start jumping up and down like eeeeediots! why does the us have the highest usage of anti-depressiva? i thought they were all happilly dreaming their happy dream. happy happy! joy joy! i like oregon for her beautiful nature and for mt hood! wildcats rock! yeah i got your backs dawgs! those dudes that last sentence was adressed to, are my personal evidence, that no matter how far american society is gonna sink into absurd perversion, theres still cool people living there! many! they shall not be forgotten by the rest of the hating world!!!

oh yeah,
german, and all european women shave their fuckin armpits!!!! they shave their punanis as well and they aint got any STD problem like them american filthy hoes! yuk! theres a lot of nice chicks living there as well of course!

and michael? hes doing propaganda!!! biast asshole! but i guess thats the only way to help american culture... since they are taught to think black and white at school... poor people you are.

now come on. talk me into the ground! i dont mind...

oh yeah something else. any american who states, the he/she were able to speak spanish or german or whatever... HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!! i attained german and french class in oregon. HAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!! they were seniors, so they had have learned that language for 4 years!!! they couldnt talk ANY of it!!!

its not that they are too dumb, or that their food doesnt provide them with enough nutrition to develop a healthy brain, i dont think.

its the school system! the only thing u learn is to support ur fukkin football team. yeah be proud of your team. identify with it although you are to spastic to even throw a ball. identify with the killing soldiers in iraq and be proud of your country!
for it was all built upon your effort. haha. the founding dudes back in the days, they were the only ones to be proud of that country! or actually, no, all they did was eradicate the baeutiful native peoples of that baeutiful country.

i dont get your pride... i just dont get it... i dont see why!
all your country ever did was evil! i shouldnt call it your country. cos it aint yours! it doesnt belong to anyone but mudda earth! and your society is on the very forefront of destroying that beauty... how could you be proud? of having enough money to drive an suv, cos it sounds cooler, to blast 3 times as much CO² in the atmosphere than what would be necessary...

big up unu selfs!
now dont come on me with some shiat like. "oh, eheh, i must state the fact, that there are tons of gramma mistakes in your text." if so, do that in german!

it's funny how the original question hasn't really been answered. One person says what they think, another person refutes it with some kind of insult, and the cycle repeats all over again. I just found it funny.
I'm a first generation teen, so I haven't experienced the American dream in its entirety, but I think it's a search for happiness, essentially. Freedom plays a role, because nobody can be truly happy without freedom. But it's also a search for material goods. People are naturally greedy, and so they look for as much money ans wealth they can accumulate. In that sense, nobody can truly have the American Dream, for everyone will keep wanting more. It's basically a chance to do whatever you want and have a good life.
By the way, it's pretty sad how many racial comments there are. The American Dream applys to everyone in this room, since you all spent the time commenting about it. So you shouldn't insult anybody.

Also, people don't realize what they have. Many have already completed the "dream", but don't realize it.

i wanted to add, that my hatred (which i am ashamed of) is not directed at Americans in general.
because, it's nobody's fault to be born in that country.
you dont chose where you wanna be born.
nevertheless there are people, who are proud of being american, ergo, being proud of, coincidently having been born there.
but thats nothing to be proud of!

i dont mind people saying, theyd be glad and thankfull or whatever.
they have a reason too! northern america is beautiful. it can be very nice to live there. but it is not you, who makes it beautiful!!! so dont be proud

dont be proud of things, others did!

except for it would be your son or thelike. cos it was you who created him. you created neither america, nor the usa, nor the white house, nor the constitution, nor the flag, nor that anthem thing.

feeling pride like that is dangerous! the people in the country i was born into, expierenced that couple a decades ago.

Niko, calm down there buddy. I am very proud of what our founding fathers did and all those who have come before me to pave the way for freedom, equality, justice here and around the world. All those service men and women who have risked and lost their lives in order to protect and defend America and freedom for many more people that just Americans are among my heros. I am proud and more over, thankful, to be born in America. My mother did not have that privliage, she was actually born in Cologn, Germany with three younger siblings. She moved to Detriot when she was 11 years old and worked very hard with the rest of her family to put food on the table, something that only America could provide them. Now the combined 8 grandchildren have ampel food on the table, clothes and private school educuations. That is the American dream: oppurtunity and wealth fueled by hard work and determination to make each generation better, safer, wiser and nobler that before. One would be foolish to not be proud of their American heritage, wherever they come from.

Niko, not only Germans have to research the American Dream. I'm a junior in HS and I have to write a paragraph on what I believe to be the American Dream. And here it is:

America is comprised of people flocking here in order to form a better life. Granted, Irish, Japanese and Hispanics all immigrate for different reasons. But, the underlying motivation for all of them is the opportunity the United States provides. America, “where the streets are paved with gold,” welcomes all those willing to work hard. My mothers’ family left Germany in 1970 for prosperous Detroit, Michigan. They were all willing to sacrifice and work hard in order to make their lives better. My grandfather worked day and night as a carpenter and now, all four of his children always have good clothes and enough food on the table for themselves and their children. For those then residing in the United States, the American Dream is the want and drive to make each generation a little bit better than the previous one. Also, there is one last thing that opportunity and hard work cannot go without: the freedom to do so. The American Dream is about specific, subjective things unique to each person who dreams them. However, the bedrock underneath those dreams is the fundamental right to one’s life and to decide how to live it. When people dream about saving lives through medicine, becoming president, having the next big hit or living quietly with those they love with a white picket fence and apple pie, what they are really dreaming about is the freedom granted unto them. Without the freedom the United States provides, the dream remains just that: a dream.

p.s. I am extremly fortunate and proud to be born in America. I am proud for all those who have come beofre me, from our first immigrants to our founding fathers to our service men and women who have risked and lost their lives to protect the United States and spred freedom and democracy around the world. They're heroes to me. There is no greater honor in my book that being able to call yourself an 'American.' And if that's piggish of me, then hell, I am proudly a classic American-pig. I am also confident in saying there is no greater nation on the face of the planet. God bless America.

yo carolin!

do your realy think, your family wouldn't have food on the table in germany? the us doesnt even have a real social system. in every european country, every person has the right to have enough food and a place to live and clothes to wear. my mom, for instance is unemployed right now and but we get money so we can live. and live we can! i got everything i want!

now this probably sounds, like i was all proud of the social system in germany. naw, its not even that good i think. i just wanted to open your eyes, so that you see, that theres countries with less poverty than the us.

aint got time right now.

to be continued

Carolyn, we are born free. The reason the United States of America is unique in history is that the government was formulated to trample upon that freedom as little as possible. It is the sad state of affairs we endure today that the government has reversed this course. However, in general, I agree with you over Niko.

Niko, understand that when you say you have a right to material things, you imply you have the right to enslave people to provide them. That is the necessary outcome of your "social system."

first of all it aint "my social system". i didnt come up with it. i never would have either. and as i said, i dont even like it.

who do i enslave? the society you mean? true in a way yes.

i only brought that thing up to show carolyn, that her family certainly wouldnt have to starve if they had stayed here.

migration is a good thing though. it mixes up the cultures and brings along understanding among the societies.

quote:"Carolyn, we are born free. The reason the United States of America is unique in history is that the government was formulated to trample upon that freedom as little as possible. It is the sad state of affairs we endure today that the government has reversed this course."

i like that, drizz! in that point the us really is unique considering her size! but as you said... today...:sad.

Niko, there was no work for my grandfather to feed four children in the post World War II dismay that Germany was left in. Thank you.

Fortunately, many people don't have that problem in the United States thanks to good old US tax payers.

I completly agree that there are countries worse off than the United States. If i had to choose to live anywhere, i would choose here for many reasons.

We are getting off the topic of the American Dream, guys.

THE AMERICN DREAM IS THE MYTH ESSENCIALISED AND INJECTED IN THE PSYCHIES OF THE AMERICANS INORDER TO MOTIVATE THEM FORGETTING THE ASHES OF THERE ROOTS,BUILDING AN AMERICAN IDENTITY,MELTING ALL THE RACES UNDER A"WE" COVER.

in the seventies, there was food even for those who didnt have any work.

countries, worse off than the us? that point is not worth mentioning my dear.

what i was trying to tell you is, that there actually are countries with a smaller rate of unemployment. hence, countries better off!
this is nothing but a senseless attempt to open your eyes. I DO NOT say this because i put any country over another! cos i dont.
its just that europeans are lucky to have better education and news coverage. therefore the european truth greatly differs from the american one.

the dogma of the american dream fucks with the american perception of their own identity!!! yes, thats what the american dream really is. ^^my defintion

yes you are kind of getting off of the topic. your topic would be "a million ways to express the glowing emotion of pride combusting within my bosom, everytime i think about me, being an american."

cool, ummm, my names Bam Margera, im a skateboarder, and I came across this discussion board randomly...what is this, neways

You guys all have some really great opinions.... Thanks for doing my English homework for me. :-D

Hey u guys!
I'm a german student, too :) Kinda funny, that so many foreign students find the forum, i just googled and it was like the second or third hit.

So, The American Dream!
I actually have to write some kind of big Homework, my theme is: "Debunking the myth of the American Dream - analysis of selected scenes from the movie 'American Beauty'"
And now I'm looking for some defintion of THE American Dream. I think, there is definitely a American Dream, it's an idea of mostly Freedom, and of course MANIFEST DESTINY.
The reason for so many definition is just that u have to fill the abstract American Dream with concrete contents to achieve it, and the various definitions of freedom and happiness.
The American Dream, is a idea which developed in the early time when the Europeans began to settle down in America. First only at the East Coast, where the British Colonies were. But soon the Frontier was pushed West by courageous and strong-minded men with the idea of freedom in their mind. Most of the people who moved from Europe to America knew only their poor and dark life in the big dirty cities in Europe, were the workers worked in great factories for 14 hours a day and still hadn't enough money to feed their family. America was like a new Canaan, where they were enough land for everyone who just wanted to take the risks and the hard work to build up a civilization from bare ground. The people moving to America longed for adventures in untouched wilderness, endless opportunities because of there were no human-build walls or systems.
However, I think that today the way America is is really in a big contrast to the old idea of "The American Dream". Of course, "from rags to riches" or "from dishwasher to millionaire" are themes of many TV shows and many stars have such a story. But what about the millions that fail? That still live in the ghetto? That get miserable education? That millions that support Bush and the Iraq War, but do not even know where the Iraq is actually located? The radical fanatic Christians that are against condoms and abortions, only because they close their eyes in front of the reality? Where is this freedom, when the youth is in high school still treated like children, with regulations like drinking not under 21 years etc? They don't even get the chance to learn self-responsibility coz everything is so well regulated. The Land of Freedom, where the passport and immigration controls want to know everything u ever did in ur life, where there's no such thing like "privacy" or protection of data... there's really much going the wrong way, but I don't want u to get that wrong:
I really like America, I have some friends over there and the people may be ignorant about the rest of the world, but hey, here u drive 1000 km and can pass through 3-5 countries with different languages etc, but in America u can go for thousands of miles without seeing anyone.

Hmm i gtg so i'll finish here :D write write write, this is really a kool thread!!!

hallo ben. ich schreibe dir jetzt in deutsch, weil ich es so witzig finde, wie die yanks sich immer dadrüber aufregen, wenn ausländer andere sprachen sprechen. frechheit sowas! haha! ich sag extra YANKS, damit sie wissen dass ich über sie rede... höhö. jaja ich weiß. das ist gemein...

you mentioned some interesting points by the way.

Niko, I deleted the last three comments because it is quite obvious I've allowed you to post on my blog. You have not been banned, so don't waste my space with unecessary comments.

oops, sorry drizz.

i guess my browser was being spastic... yesterday it appeared to me, that my submissions weren't to be listed.

i guess some html error or something.

i figuered you banned me for being inappropiate or the like.

im sorry.
my fault

The American dream.......

Of course everyone has a differing perception... But we also need to look at the similarities. I see a lot of similarities: the way you all (Americans) defined the American dream, here above. And of course not only Americans have that dream....  basically, gaining and maintaining welfare and wealth, as well as materially and psychologically.

Though Niko has a bit of a coarse way of speaking/writing, I am glad he has joined this topic, because he certainly has some good points! He does express how I feel and, as far as I know, how many other Dutch people feel.

Is there really something to be proud of? I mean: yes, Americans do have the "possibilities" to achieve great wealth, perhaps greater wealth than would possible in the Netherlands or the whole of Europe.... but what about people who do not have the potential or just not the luck to gain the wealth....
I remember that, as I was a child, I learned that “America is/was the country of opportunities/possibilities”, but that includes many “uncertainties”… does it not?

(….proud of the American history….mmmm, the founding fathers… I have to be honest that I do not know much about the history – lately I have started to interest me for history, so I am still learning, sorry – but I am just wondering: What about the Native Americans? How are they nowadays, by the way?
I am not saying that I am so proud of the Dutch or European history…. Not really, certainly not all parts of it! Slavery for example :-( …. And I have just learned – I am reading a book on cultural differences between the Dutch and Germans – that, during the 2e WO, in the Netherlands many Jewish people were transported “without many protest” :-(

How did the immigrating Europeans gain their land, freedom etc. in America exactly?
And are you “all” really that free? Are you “all” living in wealth? Do you “all” feel safe? Are you “all” happy?

I would like to quote a part of a text I have recently read:

“Implicit in all the rhetoric our leaders spout about globalisation is the idea that the rest of the world should eventually be brought up to the standard of living of the West, and America in particular. Read between the lines of the ‘sustainable development’ argument and you’ll find the American Dream lurking: it is globalisation’s touchstone, its apparent endpoint.

But if this is the direction globalisation is taking us, it is worth examining where America itself is headed. A good way to do so is to take a hard look at America’s children, since so many features of the global monoculture have been in place their whole lives. They are like canaries in a mineshaft: if the American Dream isn’t working for them, why should anyone, anywhere, believe it would work better for their own children?

As it turns out, children in the US are far from ‘confident, self-reliant, tolerant, generous, and future-oriented‘. One indication of this is that an estimated five million of them are being given at least one psychiatric drug. This disturbing trend is growing rapidly. The number of children ages 2-4 for whom stimulant and anti-depressant drugs have been prescribed increased 50 per cent between 1991 and 1995. In the following four years, prescriptions for anti-depressant drugs rose even more steeply, climbing 151 per cent for children in the 7-12 age group, and 580 per cent for children six and under.”

Please read the rest of it  http://www.theecologist.org/archive_article.html?article=332&category=33

In the essence of it, the American dream, or better said The Dream, is beautiful and universal (one needs goals, dreams and hopes), but the American dream is, in my point of view, going more and more to the extreme  striving for perfection (for example cosmetic surgery), in every way.

Because of globalisation, the American version of The dream is infecting Europe as well. I see it as a threat… I see the lovely Dutch culture changing…. For example > Our so called soberness is fading. The Dutch motto is/was “Act normal, than you already act crazy enough”.
It is a pity, but nothing can be done. Cultures do change over time.

I have never been to America. So, I can not speak from personal experience. My view of America has been created by the media and I am sure many of the information read was coloured (not objective). I am sorry. But someone finds it interesting to hear/read the point of view of an ignorant Dutch girl….

Question:
Do you think that the American Dream and European Dream for example reflect itself in movies? Do you notice any differences?

Greetings
Irma

Hey I skipped the last half of this as its damn long.

But so far i havent seen any Australian views.
Im an Aussie, and proud of it.
We have to learn about american values in english, esp. in literature.

Why? Is America the most important country in the world? No.

It has the most important values though. (Perhaps it is the most stable and has had the most time/energy to devote to the development of values.

It is the vehicle through which the "American" Dream, which is truly universal, can be realised. Even the fact that you felt free to post on this thread and more controversial threads, and post thoughts about your misguided probably idiotic biased views of GW Bush, (im not exactly a supporter mind you) - is a realisation of this dream. It is subjective, of course, but mostly i believe the dream is freedom.

ps. This thread has been going on for a while.

I think that the American Dream does exist. My family traveled all the way from Hungary to the States and to Canada, searching for the American Dream. For them, the AD is all Materialistic. They came in order to find a better place to live in. A place where people can make money easily and fastly. However, they had been seeking for freedom! During the second world war people wished to run away from the Germans and there was no food or money at the time. Europe was 'down under' regarding humans right and that is the reason why America has so many '"previous" European citizens'....
SO the American Dream is actually a combination of material and freedom. People wish to have it all, but they must realize that it comes after really hard work and a long time.
Now, I have a question -- Let's take all the celebrities, like Briteny Spears or Madonna... are they living the Amrerican Dream? Do they have everything they want and need?
Is the American dream dead or still going on??

I have got another question! See if you can help me... I read about the old American dream VS the new American dream... What are the differences between the two??? Thanks

hey irma!

thanks for supporting my point of view sweety! (and for adding important points!)

ive met many dutch chicks and they were all pretty cool!

ps:
remember: roken is dodelijk!
en : roken brengt u en anderen rondom u en ernsthafte schaden toe! (or something like that... ;-) . cant spell it. can kinda pronounce it though! dutch sweetys tought me. hehe)

read that on dutch cigarette packs...

ggroneet, the American dream is only an immigrant dream. It is lost on Americans. My great grandfather lived the American dream. I am not. My non-English speaking but lovingest, honest, hardest working people in the world neighbors are living the dream. What it really amounts to is land and taxes. Land is wonderful and taxes are evil. My great grandfather didn't speak english, worked hard, earned a decent living and didn't pay taxes. My neighbors don't either. They can't afford to. And they can't establish credit because they are not legally employed. But they are free in a way that I cannot be.

Hi! I've got a dream. An american dream :-) bla bla bla bla

Hey guyz wuts up? Ok wut do you all think the American dream iz?

this work sucks

This is what i think: The American Dream is a cliche. It is a dead dream to many Americans, because we don't need it anymore. It existed (arguably) decades ago. The dream belongs to immigrants, and the oppressed. Americans today have a misguided view of the dream today. But immigrants realize it for what it really is. Higher quality of life, standard of living, equal opportunities, freedom, hope, happiness ect.

In the Great Gatsby, they were all rich and idle. Nick is disguisted with their moral disintigration. He moves to Long Island originally in search of this dream, and leaves later, disguisted with all of them. Other than Nick (?) no one really achieved the dream.

I think its so interesting to see what foreigners have to say about this!

I think that the American Dream can be looked at very differently by a lot of people!!! Many people’s dreams consist of having a lot of money. If you think about it, you have to work a lot to earn that money, and by working so much, you never have time to enjoy it. You are always working to make money for your family and you never have any downtime for your family. So it would be nice to just work and make good money and still have time to spend with your family, and have time to enjoy the money that you make. Often when people think of The American Dream they are being idealistic instead of being realistic. Most people think of having millions of dollars, and they tend to forget about the little things that can make them successful and happy in life. Things such as family, friends, good health, and so on. What does it mean to live the “perfect life” or American Dream? It can mean anything, there is really no right or wrong answer to this sort of question. It is an opinion, which being opinionated makes us individuals.

If you have any disagreements with me email me at evry1slilhottie21@yahoo.com

i agree with the german's! im an aussie in high school in germany
germany rocks!
neway back to topic
america has got to be the most stupid dumb fucking spastic country in the world! i mean sure they have some really really cool people but other than that america sucks scrotum i mean fuck how dumb can you get ur vice president shot someone else! your president was so confused at the begining of all this war on terrorism that he just bombed the shit outa people and is basically trying to force the american way of life onto iraq is that not similar in a way to what hitler wanted, to force the ways of germany onto other countrys, maybe hitler is an extreme example but im sure whoever is not blind from american pride will understand that their president is a fucking incompitent jerk. i shall quote a song called the underpants are on thew outside or something like that " we are in a obesity epidemic" (we being america) and nown i shall quote billy connely worlds funniest man " if u america wish to not be fat dont eat anything out of a bucket". so to sum up my wonderfull entry basically u are the fattest dumbest country in the world.
peace

no. god please don't bless america. why should he only bless america you idiots? god bless america, and uh.. forgot all the other countries? because god only cares about america? what the fack. no. america didn't even exist when the bible was being written. all americans are just so full of themselves they can't see that they are all so stupid. i mean you're all so narrow minded and think that your way is the best, but what the fuck is there to be proud of? and the american dream is based on freedom right? well if you haven't realized the US is not the only country which is free, but the rest of us don't come up with "dreams" and shit about becoming rich because the point of life is to live it to your fullest when all you little mtv worshippers think omg i want to be rich and famous so i can be as dumb as the people on tv!! <33 and if you're all so free why do you have curfews, embargos, rigged elections, PRISON CAMPS, etc. every man is created equal with rights to land liberty and whatever, but yeah american logic interprets that as prison camps are a-ok. fuck you

well i have to say that i basically agree with this Louis guy...maybe the American dream was a great thing once, a chance for people to start over again...but look what's happened to it now. It's become distorted and disfigured - everywhere, commercialism rules, people are guided by their avarice and their greed for more and more material goods. Though this attitude is present in most countries, there aren't many places where it has grown to such a frightening extent.
We're told that the USA is the world's superpower, and if we judge that by the amount of nuclear weaponry, the size of their army and their economic influence then fine...they are...but where's their culture? Some of the world's greatest playwrites and authors came from the USA, but ask most Americans now and they won't even know who Tennessee Williams is. They probably wouldn't be able to name 5 authors as it is. We should count ourselves lucky if they can read.
Maybe this is a generalisation, a stereotype that i am employing naively and stupidly...but I'll just say that most americans i meet are severely intellectually challenged. One comment i'll quote here "Euthanasia - isn't that like a country?" coming from a person who got straight As when they were in the states.
That worries me.
So go ahead...rip me apart...tell me i'm wrong...all i know is that you couldn't pay me to live in the USA

i'm malaysian. i came across this page while googling for resource material i could use for my research on the american dream, because like amanda, i'm studying the great gatsby in school (i'm in a canadian year 12 program, you see).

*shrugs*

to me, the american dream in one word is "freedom". i mean, yeah, that one word can be turned into paragraphs and paragraphs of different views... but after reading most of the comments on this page (i couldn't go through all of them, there were way too many) i can *sort of* conclude that it all boils down to "freedom". what kind of freedom? freedom to live your ideal life. freedom (or the right) to go in pursuit of happiness, power and wealth.

The American Dream doesn't necessarily have to be american... it was just dubbed "the american dream" because it was entitled to the definition of the perfect life. Back when America was internationally viewed as the land of opportunity, that's what people thought of it.

It goes beyond definition; it doesn't mean america is the dream, it's just a dream of people wishing to better their lives to live in perfection, or their idea of perfection.

You people are annoying. I'm holding back on "commenting" about louis's comment ("fattest dumbest country in the world.") Weird, I usually bite people's heads off. *shrugs*

I hate everyone anyway so I may as well laugh at it. I'm fat and proud. Big deal. Dumb? Probably. But I'm not complaining. People are too concerned with other people's lives. Pfft.

The American Dream ideally constitutes life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness as stated by American's forfathers in the Declaration of INdependence. This vision has been extremely warped in the 20th century to fit the new generation of American's.

the american dream can never come true

The American Dream represents true prosperity, which is possible only through freedom. The heart of the American Dream is freedom; the lifeblood is free enterprise.