Research Paper on American Dream

Despite the fact that the American Dream’s definition  has been altered over time, individuals still have a strong desire to move to the United States to see what life is like as an American. The United States still provides access to, and defends, the American Dream for everyone; however, the main challenge faced is that the definition of the American Dream has changed since the original concept was synthesized by the founding fathers. This essay incorporates works from “The Declaration of Independence” by Thomas Jefferson, “From Keynote Address to the 2004 Democratic Convention” by Barack Obama, “Is the American Dream Still Possible?” by David Wallenchinsky, “Robert Acuna Talks About Farm Workers” by Studs Terkel, and “Who Burns for the Perfection of Paper” by Martin Espada. The original concept of the American Dream was to simply be free from persecution, however that simplicity, for some, has been converted to a more materialistic dream, which has caused many Americans to become entitled. The true American Dream is still attainable today, it is practically a birthright, as long as the true definition is not replaced by the corrupt version.

Before the debasement of the concept, the American Dream was simply the right to be free and successful in America. “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness”(Jefferson 105). After America won the revolution, the founding fathers wanted to build America on a foundation that would guarantee every citizen the liberties that America just fought for, so while drafting up the treasured documents that the government still abides by today, the founding fathers made sure to include the people’s rights. While this quote is from the Declaration of Independence, which Thomas Jefferson wrote before the war, it is a list of what the founding fathers felt everyone should have a birthright too. “It’s what allows us to pursue our individual dreams, yet still come together as a single American family. ‘E pluribus unum,’ out of many, one”(Obama 163). Obama delivered his speech at the 2004 democratic convention reminding all Americans that the American Dream is not dead, its true meaning has just been lost. In America today, many believe that the American Dream is to get-rich-quick and never have to work again, but Obama reminds everyone that America is a dysfunctional family that allows its people to pursue their dreams, and that this is the true American Dream. “‘I do believe I will recover financially,’ Oden says, ‘and that I will realize a decent retirement. But the traditional American Dream? For most Americans, it’s still a dream- a pipe dream'’”(Wallenchinsky 115). Oden is a man who is struggling to keep up with the rising prices and stagnant income rates that the middle class tends to battle with all too often, and this struggle leads many to believe that the American Dream is not possible because not every American is filthy rich. This is an example of how the definition of the American Dream has changed overtime and has shifted to a pipe dream filled with plentiful riches which is why so many believe that the American Dream is not attainable. Nevertheless, the true American Dream is still alive, and this is prevalent in the quote because Oden states that he will be fine financially and even retire, which is a luxury many foreigners do not receive. 

Furthermore, some Americans have become spoiled on freedom and fail to realize that the everyday actions that they partake in are simply not acceptable in other countries. “They own a home and at least two cars, and they are able to take vacations. By international standards, they live a life of prosperity”(Wallenchinsky 114). Many middle class workers understand that they have an easier life than many others in the world, however there is a select few that feel they have nothing, for example those interviewed by David Wallenshinsky in the quote. As stated in the quote, the American middle class lifestyle is a posh lifestyle for those in foreign areas. “Through hard work and perseverance my father got a scholarship to study in a magical place, America, that shone as a beacon of freedom and opportunity to so many who had come before”(Obama 162). America has a reputation of freedom and opportunity which is what so many foreigners desire and dream of. This reputation still stands steadfast today. America’s nickname remains the land of freedom and opportunity, therefore making the true American Dream still alive today. “Now when the strikes started, I told her I was going to join the union and the whole movement”(Terkel 156). Robert Acuna worked in the fields harvesting crops. His occupation consisted of intense physical labor and poor working conditions, so he joined a movement to protest for a better working environment. Some would use the poor working conditions as a way to show that America is not full of opportunity by saying that nobody would choose to live that lifestyle, and that they were most likely forced into that position due to a lack of job opportunities. However, the mere act of joining a movement to protest freely shows that the founding father’s American Dream of freedom is still prevalent today. 

In addition, no matter what situation someone is born into, in America, they can do anything they want, as long as they are willing to work for it. “The glue would sting, hands oozing, till both palms burned, at the punchclock. Ten years later, in law school, I know that every legal pad, was glued with the sting of hidden cuts…”(Espada 153). Despite the odds being stacked against him, Martin Espada climbed the world’s hierarchy until he was a law school student. He persevered through gruesome working conditions and took advantage of America's opportunities and made a life for himself. “That is the true genius of America, a faith in the simple dreams, the insistence on small miracles”(Obama 162). The opportunities in America are bountiful, so Barack Obama chose to remind the people of how that is the true marvel of America. “To be ‘middle class’ in America once meant living well and having financial security. But today that comfortable and contented lifestyle is harder to achieve and maintain”(Wallenchinsky 115). Yes, the life for members of the middle class is not as easy as it used to be, however this does not mean that the opportunities cease. The true American Dream is still attainable even if it may be more difficult to achieve, those who truly want to strive for their goals can still achieve them.

Overtime, many things change, and in the future things will continue to change, however one thing remains true, the real American Dream is still alive today. The original American Dream of freedom and opportunity, conceived by the founding fathers, is still achievable even if it is more difficult to reach. “He who knows he has enough is rich”(Robin 144). Many Americans believe that the American Dream is not real anymore due to the fact that they are not rich, however this quote states that if one understands that what they have is enough for them to be happy, they are rich. I believe that the American Dream’s definition has been manipulated over time leading many to believe that it is no longer attainable, but once the true definition has been revealed, it is prevalent that it is still very much alive.