Essay on American Dream

Essay on American Dream The American dream is not a dream of motor cars and high wages merely, but a dream of social order in which each man and each woman shall be able to attain to the fullest stature of which they are innately capable, and be recognized by others for what they are, regardless of the fortuitous circumstances of birth or position The American Dream: Life, Liberty, Pursuit of Happiness What exactly is this â€Å"American Dream† that seems to stand the test of time? It sounds like a myth, a cheap ploy to trick foreigners into flocking to America in search of â€Å"Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness.† But many today say it still exists, that it’s a real thing as tangible as the $100 bill – because it is. SAMPLE ESSAY ABOUT HAPPINESS Writer James Truslow Adam, in his book The Epic of America, written in 1931, said: The American Dream is one â€Å"of a land in which life should be better and richer and fuller for everyone, with opportunity for each according to ability or achievement. It is not a dream of motor cars and high wages merely, but a dream of social order in which each man and each woman shall be able to attain to the fullest stature of which they are innately capable, and be recognized by others for what they are, regardless of the fortuitous circumstances of birth or position†.   Adam’s description of the American Dream provides insights as to why so many foreigners have immigrated to the United States since the beginning of the country’s history, from the time of English, Spanish, and French colonization to the America of today in the 21st century. They came searching for a better life, and many found it – but not without hard work, the execution of good ideas, and luck. Take a look at people like actor-comedian Jim Carrey, a Canadian by birth. He grew up in a poor, struggling family. For a time the family was homeless, forcing Carrey to drop out of high school at a young age to help support the family. Years later when as an adult he began making a name for himself on the comedy circuit, Carrey then moved to the United States where we would go on standup comedy tours, finally becoming a multi-millionaire through starring in blockbuster films like Liar Liar and Bruce Almighty. It is well documented that Carrey – an adamant believer in the Law of Attraction – would ride his car along the Hollywood Hills imagining he lived there, that he was to be among the rich and famous celebrities. At one time he even wrote a check to himself, when he was a young struggling actor, for $10 million. And sure enough, in 1994, at the age of 32, he was paid $10 million for his work on the hit film Dumb Dumber. Does Carrey exemplify the American Dream? Absolutely! He was a foreigner who came from nothing, then sought a better life for himself in America – and he found it, but not without a lot of discipline, talent, diligence, a hope that borders on stupidity, luck, and a positive, focused mentality. He epitomizes the American Dream. The American Dream goes back, way back to the Declaration of Independence that held certain â€Å"truths to be self-evident: that all Men are created equal †¦ endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights such as Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness. ESSAY ON YOLO OR CARPE DIEM The mere foundation of this great – though often troubled – country is built upon the quest for a better life. Of course, people can find wealth and happiness in other countries, but many people all around the world associate America with opportunity, freedom, and success. Unfortunately, the American Dream can also be seen as one pursuing material prosperity: big, fancy cars, gigantic mansions, and designer clothes, while others see it as not so much on the financial increase, but a good, healthy fulfilling life. When pursuing the American Dream, whatever that means, people need to first be honest with themselves about what they think the â€Å"American Dream† means to them. That’s the beauty of living in America: people can find a better life in whatever ways they imagine it to be.

The Tempest Analysis Discusses Morality and Fairness

'The Tempest' Analysis Discusses Morality and Fairness This analysis reveals that Shakespeare’s presentation of morality and fairness in the play is highly ambiguous and it is not clear where the audience’s sympathies should lay. The Tempest Analysis: Prospero Although Prospero has been treated badly at the hands of the Milan nobility, Shakespeare has made him a difficult character to sympathize with. For example: Prospero’s title in Milan was usurped, yet he did much the same thing to Caliban and Ariel by enslaving them and taking control of their island.Alonso and Antonio cruelly cast Prospero and Miranda out to sea, yet Prospero’s revenge is equally as cruel: he creates a horrific storm which destroys the boat and throws his noble counterparts into the sea. Prospero and Caliban In the story of The Tempest, Prospero’s enslavement and punishment of Caliban is difficult to reconcile with fairness and the extent of Prospero’s control is morally questionable. Caliban had once loved Prospero and showed him everything there was to know about the island, but Prospero’s considers his education of Caliban as more valuable. However, our sympathies firmly lay with Prospero when we learn that Caliban had tried to violate Miranda. Even when he forgives Caliban at the end of the play, he promises to â€Å"take responsibility† for him and continue to be his master. Prospero’s Forgiveness Prospero uses his magic as a form of power and control and gets his own way in every situation. Even though he does ultimately forgive his brother and the king, this could be considered to be a way to reinstate his Dukedom and ensure the marriage of his daughter to Ferdinand, soon to become King. Prospero has secured his safe passage back to Milan, the reinstatement of his title and a powerful connection to royalty through the marriage of his daughter – and managed to present it as an act of forgiveness! Although superficially encouraging us to sympathize with Prospero, Shakespeare questions the idea of fairness in The Tempest. The morality behind Prospero’s actions is highly subjective, despite the happy ending which is conventionally employed to â€Å"right the wrongs† of the play.