The American Dream: Money, Happiness, Or Freedom?

The American Dream was founded by people who believed that they had every right to attain what they desired despite any factors that may try to hamper their success. This creates two facets to the Dream: the belief that hard work will justify a fulfilling life and the belief that because a person wants something, they deserve to have it. At its creation, the American Dream is a beautiful concept that can deliver money, happiness, and freedom, but through the years has evolved into an excuse for people to feel so entitled to all their earthly desires, that they become mad with megalomania and cease to be seen as nothing but a hollow shell full of greed. The most common definition of the American Dream is that all persons no matter their heritage …show more content…
In Obama’s speech he said “Common hopes. American dreams”, and this illustrates that the American people share several common desires such as stable incomes, healthy families, and fair opportunities which become the rope that ties all Dreamers together in unity. The reason that this Dream is so popular with the masses is because not only does it give them hope that they can attain their earthly desires, but also because it discourages laziness. When asked “If you had to describe the American Dream in one word would it be money, happiness, or freedom?” Mary Stephens chose freedom which is the true motivating force behind the original American Dream. Freedom is the reason people fight so hard to achieve their Dream because they want to free themselves from the labels that oppress them, whether it be race, heritage, or economic class. Freedom is the motivating force behind Nick Carraway’s Original American Dream because he desires to be free of all the labels that were branded upon him since birth and simply be seen as a human being. He believes that when people are given labels such as old or new money, a person’s …show more content…
The New Dreamers are teaching the Original that it is not sinful to admit they desire more than just the clothes upon their backs, while the Original Dreamers are teaching the New that there is more to leading a satisfying life than money, such as the happiness that comes from knowing they worked hard to achieve everything they have accomplished. These two versions are embodied in The Great Gatsby by Nick: Original American Dream and Gatsby: New American Dream. Throughout their relationship they both observe the mechanics behind the other’s Dream and although they may not avidly support it, they respect the other’s view of what is important in life. This common understanding and respect between Original and New is what allows all people to be once again united under the stars and stripes as American