Hannah Midyette

Prof. Intuwiwat
UWRT 1102-091
December 9th, 2015
Is the American Dream more than just an idea?
Growing up in America I was constantly told that I could become anything I
wanted when I grew up because this was America: the land of opportunity. The idea of
the American Dream has been around since the country became its own nation.
However, the coined term American Dream started to exist in 1931 when James
Truslow Adams defined it in his book The Epic of America. Lawrence R. Samuel, the
author of The American Dream: A Cultural History, references Adams writing The
dream is a vision of a better, deeper, richer life for every individual, regardless of the
position in society which he or she may occupy by the accident of birth (Samuel 13).
Since then the American Dream has become our nations core ideology and has served as
the core principle for many social movements throughout history. Our country has
consistently promoted itself on the idea that anything is possible for anyone who works
hard. But has this ever been the reality?
Post World War II brought a significant change in the definition of success. No
longer was it every American citizens goal to settle down with his or her family on a
farm. The American Dream became more complex and flexible; applying to almost any
situation that involved achievement. Achievement can be defined differently depending
on ones perspective but lets not get too in depth with that idea. Well use MerriamWebsters definition which states, something that has been done or achieved through

effort: a result of hard work. Work ethic goes hand in hand throughout history with the
American Dream, causing changes in the way Americans view one another. Just look at
stereotypes towards homeless individuals in America Anyways, since the depression
was long gone; the war left many to pursue their dreams after being witness to horrific
tragedy. According to Samuel, The Dream of being ones own boss exploded as the war
wound down, no doubt fueled by soliders experience of having to take orders from
anyone with more stripes or bars than they (39). Even though half of these new
businesses failed within the first few years, experts continued to promote the idea of
entrepreneurship as independence and the ability to support oneself became a core
dimension of the American Dream. Despite this Americans working hard for their piece
of the American Dream, success wasnt achievable thus silencing the reality of this
long held idea. So, if white men couldnt achieve their goals through hard work, what
about people of color?
Despite Americas promotions and propaganda of a life with liberty and pursuit of
happiness the world couldnt help but notice, How the nation was not living up to its
democratic principles in its treatments of blacks (Samuel 38). This became known as
The American Dilemma. Rupert B. Vance of the Virginia Quarterly Review stated
Tensions exist in the mind of every one who becomes conscious of the difference
between the claims he makes for himself and his children under the American creed and
the claims he is willing to grant the Negro. Despite the heavy promoting of the
American Dream into postwar society, the nations racial problem was a reminder that it
remained only a vision.

The Cold War played a big role in the continuation of the American Dream and
patriotism. It was viewed as a weapon something that was stronger than any army even
though it was just an idea (Samuel 50). If we were better than Russia socioeconomically,
then they wouldnt stand a chance. Throughout the Cold War the American Dream
became what many considered the good life: a suburban home filled with traditional
gender roles, the latest appliances, and a social status that strived upon conformity.
Unfortunately the achievement of the good life was unattainable for those who hadnt
been privileged enough to experience opportunity.
According to Gayle Porter, the author of Work Ethic and Ethical Work:
Distortions in the American Dream, One of the ways in which society has promoted the
belief of opportunity for all in the United States is through access to a quality public
education system (543). Higher education was slowly becoming the central focus to a
higher income, status, and security (Lazerson 2). Marvin Lazerson recalls from his own
experience, The civil rights movement was underway and I recognized what millions of
African Americans had always known-the American Dream was considerably less real
for some than for others (3). Time and time again race interrupted the reality of an
American Dream. Even today, The fact that more than 45 percent of entering college
students fail to graduate, with even higher percentages of minority students and students
from low income families, is disheartening (Lazerson 9).
Modern day America has been through crises after crises and yet still retains the
idea of the American Dream. In recent years, the term has often been interpreted to
mean making it big or striking it rich (Kamp) giving us an idea that the American
Dream hasnt changed much since the beginning of the Cold War. Owning expensive

material items has always been seen as a sign of superiority. Americans who have lots of
things may think of themselves has better than those who have lesser and even attribute
their success to hard work. Of course there is always the unpopular opinion that success
and happiness cant come through higher education or financial success. For example
Chris McCandless came from a well-off family and graduated from college. Since he
wasnt a minority he had the opportunity to become successful in the eyes of society and
yet chose a different course. Chris quite possible could have found the meaning of
happiness but this doesnt mean that its achievable for everyone living in America.
Even though many claim to have success due to the American Dream, it is only a
vision that has yet to be achieved. Its conception is centered on hard work and equal
opportunity; giving any citizen a chance to achieve their goals and become financially
stable. Throughout history our country has tried to give the impression to the rest of the
world that America has these things, but there have always been exceptions to this. Work
ethic alone cannot help one become successful if the system continues to push those who
cant afford a higher education out. However, I believe that somehow the American
Dream has helped the United States of America move forward in becoming a progressive
nation. Its as if the idea of the American Dream pushes our society to move forward. If
America continues towards its goal of the American Dream then it might be possible that
one day this country will be known as the land of opportunity for all, and really mean
it.

Works Cited
Lazerson, Marvin. Higher Education and The American Dream. Central European
University Press. 2010. eBook. <https://muse-jhuedu.librarylink.uncc.edu/books/9786155211911>
Starks, Brian. THE NEW ECONOMY AND THE AMERICAN DREAM: Examining the
Effect of Work Conditions on Beliefs about Economic Opportunity. The
Sociological Quarterly. 2003. Article.
<http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com.librarylink.uncc.edu/doi/10.1111/j.15338525.2003.tb00555.x/epdf>
Porter, Gayle. Work Ethic and Ethical Work: Distortions in the American Dream. Journal
of Business Ethics. 2010. Article.
<http://link.springer.com.librarylink.uncc.edu/article/10.1007%2Fs10551-0100481-6>
Kamp, David. "Rethinking the American Dream." Vanity Fair. Vanity Fair, n.d. Web.
<http://www.vanityfair.com/culture/2009/04/american-dream200904>.
Samuel, Lawrence. The American Dream: A Cultural History. Syracuse University Press.
2012. Book. <https://muse-jhu-edu.librarylink.uncc.edu/books/9780815651871>