The American Dream Must Have Been A Dream After All Essay

Park Avenue, on the Upper East Side of Manhattan, is one of the wealthiest neighborhoods in all of New York City, home to the ultra rich, the top tier of the American upper class, the 1% (Park Avenue). Those who reside in Park Avenue not only have vast amounts of wealth, but an immense amount of influence that has turned the tables in their favor. But, if you go a couple of miles North of Park Avenue and cross the Harlem river, you arrive at the other side of Park Avenue or otherwise known as the Bronx, one of the poorest districts in all of New York (Park Avenue). Here you see the real hardships average Americans must voyage through in order to put food on the table and provide shelter for their families. 40% of the 700,000 residents who†¦show more content†¦But in todays America, what are the chances of someone living on the poor side of Park Avenue, end up living on the rich side of Park Avenue? Money is the supreme power of the world. Its immeasurable power and limitl ess influence has hacked into our society today, ruining our political democracy, our capitalistic economy, and our chances at achieving the American Dream. Money is handled differently between the rich and the poor. Money in the hands of the poor is spent on essential items necessary for survival, and since money is not abundant in the hands of the poor, every single penny is cherished as a gift from God. However in the hands of the rich, money is used to acquire more money. The urge to succumb to greed influences the rich to use any and all means necessary to grow their wealth, to grow their power, to grow their long lasting influence. We look up to the rich with awe for their ability to achieve the American Dream, but what we are blindfolded from seeing is the true rise to stardom, their true pathway to success. Not all, but some have achieved the American Dream through immoral acts and satanic deeds, swindling the desired ones from their exit of poverty or their chance to enter into reality. In the end of The Great Gatsby, F Scott Fitzgerald revealed to us the true Jay Gatsby. Fitzgerald teaches us that not all people achieve the American Dream immorally, giving the example of Jay GatsbyShow MoreRelated Time1677 Words   |  7 Pagesvulnerable as a dream stand against the slow but steady stream of time, that beats like particles of sand against the bottom of an hourglass? For a dream to continue to nourish the minds of the masses generation after generation, it must adapt--change to better fit the new circumstances that a change in time invariably evokes. But as a dream changes, is it as pure, as innocent, and as high-minded as it once was? Could the American dream, which has hereto defined the very spirit of the era, have lost itsRead MoreThe American Dream1096 Words   |  5 PagesIf the American Dream is defined as owning a house, like one of those two-story, four-bedroom, and white picket fence houses, or even a one -story, two-bedroom, chain-fenced yard, then no, I could not say with a strong conviction that this the dream that exists in the hearts of all Millenials. Although the idea of one day owning land that is your very own is quite appealing, most Millennials these days would be happy to live out their entire lives in an apartment or condo. The truth of the matterRead MoreEssay on Climbing the Ladder Analysis817 Words   |  4 PagesClimbing the Ladder Analysis For generations, the American Dream has continued to stand as a vision that so many people have strived for in America. It is what attracts countless foreigners to come to the U.S and what also keeps them there. All these people are filled with ongoing motivation to eventually reach this dream. Yet, the Dream and its steps to success are not a definite list. In fact, the very idea of how to achieve such a dream has been debated for generations. Andrew Carnegie, a famousRead MoreThe Great Gatsby By F. Scott Fitzgerald893 Words   |  4 Pageshis dream in the midst of the prohibition. The story is told from the perspective of the narrator, Nick Carraway. Nick recounts the summer he spent with Gatsby as Gatsby tries to attain the American Dream, which he has personified in his past love, Daisy Buchanan. Fitzgerald presents two contrasting responses to the American Dream through his characterization of Nick as cynical and Gatsby as hopeful. 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Both Brands’ story and Nathaniel Philbrick’s account in Mayflower assist significantlyRead MoreThe Importance Of The American Dream1321 Words   |  6 PagesFormer First Lady, Michelle Obama, eloquently summarized the American Dream at the Democratic National Convention in 2012. â€Å"Barack knows the American Dream because hes lived it...and he wants eve ryone in this country to have that same opportunity, no matter who we are, or where were from, or what we look like, or who we love. And he believes that when youve worked hard, and done well, and walked through that doorway of opportunity...you do not slam it shut behind you...you reach back, and youRead MoreThe American Dream is Built on Family Bonds Essay1305 Words   |  6 Pages The American Dream is a concept that is essentially older than the United States, dating back to the seventeenth century. It was then when people began to come up with hopes and aspirations for the newly discovered, unexplored continent. The â€Å"American Dream† is in essence the idea in that puts forward the notion that all people can succeed through hard work, that all people have the right to the pursuit of happiness, and be successful. The definition of the American Dream has been expanded uponRead More Gatsby and the American Dream Essay1636 Words   |  7 PagesThe American Dream is what we all aspire to achieve. The idea of starting off with nothing and to become something has caused millions of people from all corners of the world to immigrate to this country for over 300 years. However, what exactly is the American Dream? F Scott Fitzgerald answers this question within his novel The Great Gatsby. 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But des pite protecting it, from harsh wintersRead MoreThe Dream : An Achievable Goal Of The American Dream877 Words   |  4 PagesThe term â€Å"American Dream†, popularized by a freelance writer by the name of James Truslow Adams in 1931, is used to describe the idea that the United States is the land of prosperity, which any man can work hard and gain wealth and happiness without the fear of a controlling government. It is thought that the everyone has equal opportunities and can become successful as they please, as long as they work for it. The American dream is more of a goal that every American, or someone who wants to be American