Americans are perpetual dreamers, unwavering optimists and incessant innovators. We believe in ourselves, we believe in a better world, and we believe we can do anything we set our minds to. To pursue the American dream at all costs, economic class, race, and religion are not barriers; we achieve our goals, no matter how unattainable they may seem. We are a nation of losers who put our heads down and work to achieve our goals. Dating back to the Revolutionary War, this mentality won us our freedom; we were David and England were Goliath, but we wanted freedom more than they resisted it. Our nation had a dream and was determined to make it a reality. 250 years later, Americans are just as ambitious as our Founding Fathers. Young People in This CountryThe American Dream defines us and is present in all aspects of our culture, including our literature and the social movements of the past. In Steinbeck's Of Mice and Men, George and Lennie dream of their own farm, even when others tell them it's impossible. They believe that homesteading is attainable despite their economic situation, just as Americans believe that peace and total equality are possible, even if they seem unattainable. This idea appears again in Fitzgerald's The Great Gatsby and Tan's Joy Luck Club. Jay Gatsby wishes to free himself from his poor family and live a life of luxury. Through hard work and a little criminal activity, Gatsby becomes one of the richest men on the East Coast. In Tan's novel, Waverly Jong, a first-generation Chinese-American, thrives in her chess career despite the discrimination she faces as both an immigrant and a girl. Jong is victorious because she has confidence and takes the opportunities given to her. His perseverance and success against all odds embody the idea of the American dream. Countless social movements also bear witness to that of our country
tags