All Americans have an abstract idea of their American Dream. The American Dream is one where there is no poverty, all have jobs, houses, and peace (no war). This dream is affected by each individual person and their contribution to society. The impact that a person has on the world is often affected by their frame of mind. Someone, who is largely motivated to instigate change, will. Those who are not interested in bettering themselves, generally fall short of the American Dream. Barbara Ehrenreich’s article on “The Power of Negative Thinking” clearly outlines the consequences of positive and negative thinking. Ehrenreich argues that by placing emphasis on positive thinking we, as a society, are not being realistic. She claims that, in todays society, if someone believes they will get something, then they will get it. Any negative thinking will be penalized by becoming a reality. Ehrenreich first uses applicable ideas and people to support her claim, then proceeds to use logic, and finally, emotion as well as the logic of the reader. Barbara Ehrenreich demonstrates that positivity may not answer all of society 's questions. For example, she emphasizes the idea “to firmly believe that you will get what you want, not only because it will make you feel better to do so, but because ‘visualizing’ something - ardently and with concentration - actually makes it happen (Ehrenreich, Barbara)”. It seems as though this sentence supports the positivity however, when closer examined it is clear that she is being sarcastic. Words such as “actually” and “‘visualizing’”, along with their context, add a sarcastic tone to the sentence. This is the point in the article when it becomes clear that Ehrenreich is opposed to the positive thinking method. She also uses successful figures such as “Oprah Winfrey, scores of megachurch pastors, and (the) endless flow of self-help best sellers (Ehrenreich, Barbara)” to emphasize the level of positivity that other people are striving for. Theses figures are extremely successful. They have money, jobs, and often families. From the outside looking in, they appear to have the American Dream. It is because of their success that people strive to be just as they are. When favored people attribute their success to positivity, others will as well. This seems to be the claim the Ehrenreich is making. These beloved famous people are so heavily followed that people will lose sight of reality to live their life of positivity and ignorance. The famous figures Ehrenreich used emphasised her claim about positivity, but her use of logic further develops and accentuates the idea.
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For instance, “Americans did not start out as deluded optimists (Ehrenreich, Barbara)”. They were under the impression that wealth was obtained “only through hard work and savings and even then (no promises were made) (Ehrenreich, Barbara)”. These two sentences together allow a clear picture of the argument. How would someone become wealthy by doing nothing? Good things do not come to people who are positive because they are positive. With a change in attitude and frame of mind, generally, comes a change in motivation. Those who are more positive about a situation are often willing to do more to get it done. In the past, people have become successful through their hard work and dedication. These people did not sit and wait for wealth and happiness to come to them. Ehrenreich uses more logic as well as rhetorical statements towards the middle of the article. She states that a common positive thinker believes that “you won’t get a job paying more than $15 an hour unless you’re a ‘positive person’(Ehrenreich, Barbara)”. This rhetorical statement serves to emphasize the absurdity of positive thinking. It is not positive thinking that allows a person to get paid more. It is the manner that a positive person holds themselves in comparison to a negative person. One who is pessimistic will not have good fortune only because they are not putting forth the effort that the optimistic person is. Towards the end of the article, Ehrenreich employs the use of emotion as well as continuing to use logic. The real problem becomes apparent in the closing paragraphs. “The alternative to both is realism - seeing the risks, having the courage to bear bad news and being prepared for famine as well as
For instance, “Americans did not start out as deluded optimists (Ehrenreich, Barbara)”. They were under the impression that wealth was obtained “only through hard work and savings and even then (no promises were made) (Ehrenreich, Barbara)”. These two sentences together allow a clear picture of the argument. How would someone become wealthy by doing nothing? Good things do not come to people who are positive because they are positive. With a change in attitude and frame of mind, generally, comes a change in motivation. Those who are more positive about a situation are often willing to do more to get it done. In the past, people have become successful through their hard work and dedication. These people did not sit and wait for wealth and happiness to come to them. Ehrenreich uses more logic as well as rhetorical statements towards the middle of the article. She states that a common positive thinker believes that “you won’t get a job paying more than $15 an hour unless you’re a ‘positive person’(Ehrenreich, Barbara)”. This rhetorical statement serves to emphasize the absurdity of positive thinking. It is not positive thinking that allows a person to get paid more. It is the manner that a positive person holds themselves in comparison to a negative person. One who is pessimistic will not have good fortune only because they are not putting forth the effort that the optimistic person is. Towards the end of the article, Ehrenreich employs the use of emotion as well as continuing to use logic. The real problem becomes apparent in the closing paragraphs. “The alternative to both is realism - seeing the risks, having the courage to bear bad news and being prepared for famine as well as