The American Dream Essay

Submitted By mmortensen4444

Words: 581

Pages: 3

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22 May 2012
The American Dream The American dream has been existent as long as America has. Ever since people first started coming over to America they have been adapting and with that adaption, the American dream adapts also. In the 1700’s when early Americans were first they had a dream of beating the odds and starting a new life free from oppression. In the 1920’s the American dream had adapted and turned into a dream of wealth and ownership of material things, and now, in the present, the dream has become a little more simplified and oriented towards a family and career. Early Americans were dedicated to starting a new life as one people, free from Great Britain’s rule. In the Declaration of Independence the closing statement Thomas Jefferson tells us that everything from this point on will collectively contribute to the building of a new country. “And for the support of this declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of divine providence, we mutually pledge to each other our lives, our fortunes and our sacred honor” (173). This shows that the American dream is finally being fulfilled and that they are no longer subject to unjust rule and that they are a free country and need to build on a firm base. During the 1920’s people were living a carefree life. World War 1 created a boom in the economy, which created more jobs and the opportunity for money. Also around this time was the prohibition of alcohol sales. This created an easy way to make millions. In the Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald, one of the main characters, Daisy, is obsessed with the material things in life and doesn’t really do much, as did most of the younger people at the time. When everyone was together and had nothing to do Daisy said, “Who wants to go to town?” (125). This quote shows how the people of this time were careless about what they did and that they don’t have to plan out what to do. This goes for their overall life also. The 1920’s was all about drinking and going out and having fun, but not much

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