Societys Influence on the American Dream - 1202 Words

Societys Influence on the American Dream Do as most do, and men will speak well of thee. [Thomas Fuller (1654-1734):Gnomologia] Men have a dream to improve their lives and better their social status but each man does not realize that he pursues this dream in hopes of pleasing others and not for his own well being. Fullers quotation demonstrates that people find success and social mobility if they act and do what others want them to do. The American dream of success and happiness can not be reached independently because people need to feel accepted to achieve satisfaction. Each man strives to improve his place in the community oblivious to the hypocrisy around him. Everyone works to impress others rather than pleasing himself.†¦show more content†¦Even though unhappy, Babbit asserts his new independence [and]Â…refuses to join a new respected organization formed in Zenith. This takes much courage and Babbit prides himself for his perseverance. Although Babbit is proud of his independence, many people end their friendships with him because he will not conform to their liking. Babbit uses his free time to think through and organize his life. He realizes that he needs the mechanicalShow MoreRelatedConsumerism In Fight Club1485 Words   |  6 Pagesin the lack of resources to contribute a society’s goals. In the film, Tyler mentioned We ve all been raised to believe that we ll be millionaires and movie idols. But we won t!. (Fincher 1999). This quote demonstrates that the â€Å"American Dream† is where anyone can become rich if they work hard and provide services to higher classes. In the movie, Jack’s followers we re oppressed gray-collared workers who lacked the resources to obtain the â€Å"American Dream†. This relates to the strain theory whereRead MoreHenrik Ibsen’s A Doll’s House1433 Words   |  6 Pagesthe tragedy of the common man through the tragic hero of Willy Loman and the â€Å"American Dream† in Death of a Salesman (Shmoop Editorial Team 4). In comparison, Nora and Willy follow the ethics society put forth, but in contrast, Nora’s will leads to rebellion, whereas Willy’s dramatizing deprivation leads to conformity. Through Nora, Ibsen makes it obvious that the atmosphere springs out of influence from the Victorian Era. Domesticity stood as a central theme, gender division stoodRead MoreThe Effects Of Drugs On Society s Perspectives On Drugs978 Words   |  4 Pageshave emerged in the Western nations. These changes varied from a negative perspective to a more open and positive portrayal on drugs from the late 1800s till this present day respectively. The entertainment industry plays a huge role in the influence on society’s perspectives on drugs as some films would have depicted drugs being the cause of violence and tragedy while some other films would portray the drugs as a recreational use for some individuals who feel the need to use it to overcome the adversityRead MoreThe Evolution And Purpose Of The American Dream1741 Words   |  7 PagesThe Evolution and Purpose of the American Dream Across the economically, ethnically, and socially diverse United States, millions of unlike Americans share the same desire to overcome the vast array of obstacles the modern day era presents in the hopes of becoming the ideal member of society. Looking back at multiple generations, evidence of this drive to succeed can be found in the roots of society’s progression. This omnipresent goal that motivates the population to build sustainable lives hasRead MoreThe American Dream : The Ideas Of The American Dream1597 Words   |  7 PagesThe American Dream America, known as the nation of chance and flexibility, where any man or lady can come and have a reasonable shot at accomplishing the coveted objective usually alluded to as The American Dream. To many, effectively getting the American dream implies having a steady 2 parent family, with money related success, and rich in political and social opportunities. This fantasy be that as it may, is all the more effectively accomplished by specific individuals over others, andRead MoreThe Rise And Fall Of The American Dream1643 Words   |  7 PagesThe Rise and Fall of the American Dream United States writer and historian, James Truslow Adams, once defined the American Dream as a life â€Å"better and richer and fuller for everyone, with opportunity for each according to ability or achievement,† regardless of social class or circumstances of birth. Both The Great Gatsby, by F. Scott Fitzgerald, and Invisible Man, by Ralph Ellison, tell the story of a man and his experiences as he embarks on his pursuit of the American Dream. However, as the novelsRead MoreThe Great Gatsby By F. Scott Fitzgerald1272 Words   |  6 Pagessuccess through the agelessness of his novels. This is clear with The Great Gatsby, a novel narrated by the character Nick Caraway and centered on Jay Gatsby’s short-lived life. This novel is a timeless piece of literature that is still relevant to American society today because of its attitude on materialism and its portrayal of feminism relating to the era and modern day. One theme that is prominent in the novel is materialism. This importance of money and material items relates to the â€Å"flapper era†Read MoreMy Personal Experience of Culture1816 Words   |  7 Pageswas sick was that I knew that most of these people had dreams, an unique personality, and everything it took in order for them to be successful from their own point of view, not from the social orders perspective. Society has historically had the tendency to influence people in putting across certain behaviors. Some of these behaviors are moral in character and people are expected to take them on for their personal wellbeing and for societys wellbeing as a whole. Even with these, other behaviorsRead MoreOkonkwo and Jay Gatsby Essay examples928 Words   |  4 PagesOkonkwo, we see the destruction of his culture; the culture that he devoted his whole life to, only to see it crushed by European colonists. Jay Gatsby illustrates a man who came from a modest, rural upbringing, only to rise to the upper echelon of American society. A man blessed with insurmountable determination, but also cursed by this determination. This doesn’t only stand as an aphorism for Jay Gatsby, but Okonkwo as well. Gatsby and Okonkwo are essentially the same character, but just as any characterRead MoreFahrenheit 4511651 Words   |  7 PagesTamika Adams Prof. Kordich English 68 10 June 2013 Dreams that Destroy Freedom American culture thrives on being ‘the land of the free’. The rags-to-riches story to the immigrant success story, seem to define the American Dream. We are told that these achievements can be done by adapting to America’s ideals and cultural norms. The ‘American Dream’ is attainable for those who fall in step with the majority. This conformity is illustrated in Ray Bradbury’s Fahrenheit 451. In the novel,