Studentereksamen
The texts in section A focus on the American Dream. Write a paper (700-1000 words) in which your answer the following questions. Answer the questions separately.
Give an outline of how the American Dream is interpreted in texts 2, 3 and 4.
Text 2:
Arnold Schwarzenegger's view on the American Dream is; that it is something you have to make yourself worthy for. This is characterized by three things. To truly succeed as an American citizen you have to learn the English language. This is a necessity to blend in to the American culture. Another factor that weighs in high according to Schwarzenegger about the American Dream is the right to vote. In Austria, you do not have the right to vote, so he exaggerates the fact that the right to vote should not be taken for granted. He also says that 'democracy is not a spectator’s sport', so you should participate as much as possible. Thirdly, he emphasizes that giving back to your country should be important. According to Schwarzenegger you should give back as much and as possible. He ends the text paying tribute to all the great immigrants who have performed service for The United States.
Text 3: The third text epitomizes the opinion that the American Dream is money-oriented. Since the economy was at a downfall in 2008, the American Dream had been, metaphorically speaking, been killed or at least wounded. Beyond that, the text is angled in a much more negative way, but maybe a more realistic way. The writer, Anya Kamenetz, bases the substance in the text on studies and researches; she found out that that people who earns more than 50,000 dollars are only slightly happier than people earning less, which contradicts the American Dream. She ends the text writing about a door, which opens up for a new American Dream, where spending time with your family should be a key focus.
Text 4: The fourth text focuses on the negative sides of the American culture. Just like the third text, the fourth text says that the American dream is about being wealthy enough to support your children and still have enough money for yourself. The text questions whether the American Dream is still possible, and the answer to that according to the text is that every American is responsible for their own life.

Compare language, tone and style in texts 1 and 2.
The vocabulary used in text one is far more well-considered and intellectual, compared to the vocabulary used in text two. Some of the sentences in text one are very complex, “it is a difficult dream for the European upper classes to interpret adequately”, and difficult to understand for foreigners where as Arnold Schwarzenegger’s text shows signs of spoken language. The tone used in text one and two are very diverse. The first text is very objective in its formulation where as Schwarzenegger is more subjective in his way of expressing himself. Not to anyone’s surprise, “What is the American dream” is written in a very objective way, why it can be found in the national library. Arnold Schwarzenegger on the other hand is a movie star and foreigner who simply expresses his opinion. The style is also very different due to the books in the Library of Congress focus on more than one side of the American Dream; actually it lists several ways of understanding the American Dream without judging or choosing sides. Schwarzenegger is very legible about his way of interpreting the American Dream.

Taking your starting point in one of the texts, argue for your own attitude to the American Dream.
I have chosen to take my starting point in the second text, written by Arnold Schwarzenegger. I believe that the American Dream is about aiming for the big goals in life, achieving them and being accepted whether you are poor or rich, white or black. In my opinion the American Dream is about a country where life is better for everybody. The American Dream is about giving everybody a chance to make the best use of their skills. It is a dream about a big house and a big paycheck, but the American Dream is primarily characterized by social equality and equal in rights for every American. The American dream allows man or woman to achieve their goals in life, which Arnold Schwarzenegger is the perfect example of. He is a regular Austrian who immigrates to America and becomes very successful by integrating, taking part in the American society and giving back, which exactly is what the American dream is about. Arnold Schwarzenegger says that the American dream is something you have to make yourself worthy for which is just the essence of the American Dream. The society creates the opportunities for the individual, the possibility of going all the way and to fulfill your dream, but it is your own responsibility to grab the opportunity.