The American dream

After a brutal war in 1776, 13 American colonies created the Declaration of Independence. Thomas Jefferson and Abraham Lincoln have developed ideological aspects, which constitute the phrase of the American dream: “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”. The following text will analyses and explain the American dream.
The interpretation of the American dream.
Text 2
Arnold Schwarzenegger is an immigrant from Austria. When he came to America, from his difficult life in Austria, he then soon began a carrier as an actor. One may state that he had fulfilled American dream, but he did not stop there. He became the governor of California.
“I have succeeded beyond my wildest imagination”, Arnold Schwarzenegger wrote. His text is very positive and optimistic. He pursued his happiness and realized his American dream. He always remembers his challenging past and is forever grateful for his present and the future. Arnold Schwarzenegger explains how appreciative he is to be able to join a nation, which helped him succeed his American dream: “To truly succeed as an American citizen, you have to do more”. Everyone has to participate in establishing a nation where you as a citizen are obligated and given the opportunity to pursuit the happiness, freedom, liberty and equality.

Anya Kamenetz is a writer and a columnist, focused on the economy. Her text describes the American dream as material: “…the idea that standards of living, as measured by money and ownership of material things…”. She included statistical references. It stated that people are more pessimistic, because the worsening economy. David Lynch asked that if the American dream is not dead, then at least wounded. She wrote how little correlation there is between wealth and happiness. She is asking for a new American dream: What should we be looking for?”

Everything is connected to material things and making money. People do not have time to spend time with their family. That’s why the new American dream should be to find time for happiness basic items such as socializing:”The old American Dream included a social safety net that provided a baseline of security.” Now there is no safety net now, and one should be established for the young fast growing Americans.

David Wallechinsky is an American populist historian and television commentator.
He stated that the American dreams is based on the hard working citizen, can better his life.
However, many average Americans suffer and struggle with their lives. Consumer culture is blamed and in the end people are left:”… with little left over to save for retirement”

Shelly Corner, a mother of three, has spent her entire life living for her children. Saving money for college. She hopes that the generations will continue taking care of each other, and that god will help them through it. "But I have nothing saved for me". He emphasizes how the American dream is not for everybody.

Comparison of text 1 and 2

Text 1 is an extract of a book and is written by James Truslow Adams in 1931 and text 2 is a congress speech by Arnold Schwazenegger Text 1 is written with a formal language and varied and rich vocabulary. The extract contains several quotes and references to other texts with the same message and theme, which is the American dream. He implicates very important people, who was fighting towards the American dream and equality, such as Martin Luther King, and Malcolm X. Even though the fought differently for the matter. He also mentions the declarations of Independence, which is the fundamental stone of the American dream.
With the references to these important well-known men, he gives the readers the opportunity to relate and identify themselves with reliable sources.

Text 2 is a political and inspirational speech, which are made to persuade people of his message.
Arnold Schawzenegger uses himself as a main character of the inspiration for the American dream. He is emotional while he declares his own background. If an immigrant can do, than anybody can do it. By that statement, he is convincing the audience of the equality. He is making them feel that they can do and achieve a higher position in their lives as he did. He also uses references to well-known and important people such as Albert Einstein. By his message, he assures and shows the people his ideological stand and the liberty in the American dream.

Text 1 directs to people who are interested in the subject and are willing to search for the information in a book or a newspaper, while text 2 is a speech, accessible for everyone with a tv, radio or internet. It is easy to digest.

I will like to include the text of David Wallechinsky, in my considerations about the American dream. I think that everyone should be free and equal, but Shelly is not. Through her life, her priority was her children. She forgot about herself, so the American dream failed her, or did she fail to pursue her own happiness. There are some obstacles in pursuing happiness. Her obstacle was lack of safety net. The economy is big factor in the process. The American dream is an idea that was constituted in 1776 and has maintained its importance though is has developed throughout the years. The message is present today more than ever, because with the time changing, so are elements of the idea.