What is the American Dream? Can it be simply stated?
The American Dream is success. To make money. To climb the ladder. It is a capitalistic dream, one that leads us to become motivated by materialistic goals. Embedded in these goals are the ideas of accomplishment and motivation, because we can be intrinsically as well as extrinsically motivated.
How is your personal dream a part of America’s future?
As a writer, I want to be read. My personal dream is to be a published novelist, and this dream goes along with the American dream because it could make me famous and turn my love and passion into something that could bring material wealth. But that is why it is called a dream, even though it may or may not happen.
I was writing similarly about the capitalistic ideals seemingly inherent in the American dream. Then I was so taken off guard by the deeply personal stories of immigration shared at Si, that I really had to step back from some of my own probable catch phrase-i-ness in my critique of the American dream. I hear you, too, trying to see a lot of sides to the whole thing.
Reply
Leave a Reply.
Author
I, Laura Redden, am a happy and willing participant of the Summer Writing Institute at UNCC.