In 1492, Christopher Columbus sailed to America in search of gold and glory. Ten years before America declared independence, in 1766, Olaudah Equiano purchased his own independence with money he earned by managing his own business. More than two hundred years later, in 1984, Sandra Cisneros published The House on Mango Street and earned international acclaim. These very different people all had one thing in common: they sought the American Dream. The American Dream they pursued changed with time and evolves even now. However, although the American Dream varied greatly throughout history, it remains as appealing as ever.
In his “Letter to Luis de Santangel Regarding the First Voyage,” written in 1493, Columbus expressed his view of the American …show more content…
Sandra Cisneros showcased this version of the American Dream in her novella, The House on Mango Street. The protagonist of the novella, a young Hispanic girl named Esperanza, grew up with her family and friends in the eponymous house on Mango Street. Esperanza experienced anxiety as she matured due to the racial and socioeconomic prejudice she and her family faced. Her form of the American Dream was to transcend this discrimination and live a more satisfying life than that of her parents. She planned to become a successful writer in order to leave and “say goodbye to Mango [Street]” (Cisneros …show more content…
The remarkable endurance it shows is due to the fact that it is not some monolithic, immutable concept. Rather, the American Dream evolves to fit ever-changing circumstances and values. During the short time since the publication of The House on Mango Street, the world changed drastically. The amount of opportunities available to young people increased. Furthermore, these opportunities are now presented with less regard to racial heritage or socioeconomic status. However, the people of today still face prejudice and bias based largely on nationality, religious preference, and sexual orientation. Accordingly, for many people, the American Dream is now to be accepted by others for who they are.
Many things about the world changed between the voyage of Christopher Columbus in 1492 and the year 2016. The American Dream evolved as well, constantly mutating to conform to the times. However, all iterations of the American Dream share the longing for a better life. Because it successfully endured the passage of time by always promoting self-advancement and improvement, the American Dream is as attractive now as it ever
In his “Letter to Luis de Santangel Regarding the First Voyage,” written in 1493, Columbus expressed his view of the American …show more content…
Sandra Cisneros showcased this version of the American Dream in her novella, The House on Mango Street. The protagonist of the novella, a young Hispanic girl named Esperanza, grew up with her family and friends in the eponymous house on Mango Street. Esperanza experienced anxiety as she matured due to the racial and socioeconomic prejudice she and her family faced. Her form of the American Dream was to transcend this discrimination and live a more satisfying life than that of her parents. She planned to become a successful writer in order to leave and “say goodbye to Mango [Street]” (Cisneros …show more content…
The remarkable endurance it shows is due to the fact that it is not some monolithic, immutable concept. Rather, the American Dream evolves to fit ever-changing circumstances and values. During the short time since the publication of The House on Mango Street, the world changed drastically. The amount of opportunities available to young people increased. Furthermore, these opportunities are now presented with less regard to racial heritage or socioeconomic status. However, the people of today still face prejudice and bias based largely on nationality, religious preference, and sexual orientation. Accordingly, for many people, the American Dream is now to be accepted by others for who they are.
Many things about the world changed between the voyage of Christopher Columbus in 1492 and the year 2016. The American Dream evolved as well, constantly mutating to conform to the times. However, all iterations of the American Dream share the longing for a better life. Because it successfully endured the passage of time by always promoting self-advancement and improvement, the American Dream is as attractive now as it ever