The American Dream Essay - 799 Words

What is the American Dream? In America, numerous cultures and ethnic backgrounds are present. The American Dream is a subjective phrase, with different meanings for different people. The novels Into the Wild by Jon Krakauer, The Bean Trees by Barbara Kingsolver, and I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou, portray different definitions of the American Dream. In theory, the American Dream is the thought that through hard work, anyone can achieve their goals in this country. In Into the Wild by Jon Krakauer, a wilderness explorer named Chris McCandless went from being the son of wealthy parents, to a minimalist hitchhiker having the time of his life, to dead in an abandoned bus in the Alaskan Bush. Chris was a free spirit, who paid†¦show more content†¦Taylor also struggles with finding a job, working at a local fast food establishment, for a short time. However, she is unable to keep the job because she has nobody to watch her daughter, Turtle (49-52). Taylor also has trouble with finding a place to live. She lives at the Republic Hotel for a time (49), and interviews for another household with strange women (69-71). Taylor eventually becomes happy and achieves her American Dream; but for many like her, the American Dream is just a dream. The thought is that when hard work is done, goals are achieved, but this is an ideal and not reality for most. dreams do not always come true. In the haunting novel I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, world renowned poet Maya Angelou told the story of her troubled childhood growing up as a black girl during the 1930’s. Abandoned by her parents and left with her grandmother in rural Arkansas, she quickly learned the meaning of the word â€Å"racism.† When she was eight, Maya was raped by her mother’s boyfriend. He told her not to mention this to anyone, but she confided in her brother, Bailey, and her molester was murdered (Angelou 78-86). Later, Maya worked for a white woman who never called her the correct name. This infuriated Maya, so she smashed the woman’s favorite china (107-110). Once, she visited a white dentist, but was turned away. The dentist said to Maya’s grandmother,â€Å"‘Annie, my policy is I’d rather stick my hand in a dog’sShow MoreRelatedEssay On The American Dream1004 Words   |  5 PagesThe American Dream: Is it Only a Dream? From the moment colonists stepped foot on American soil, freedom flowed through their skin. The new country would bring endless opprotunities to anyone who wished to pursue their dreams. Through years of effort, the United States was born and along with it a sense of equality and meaning. Today, America has much to stand for. Although times were rough along the way, the American dream is one of being free and having a voice. America has proven itself to beRead MoreAmerican Dream Essay3358 Words   |  14 PagesTHE AMERICAN DREAM THE AMERICAN DREAM Section #1 a. 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