This text focuses on the analysis of the speech by Barack Obama on November 7, 2007, entitled “Agenda to Reclaim the American Dream .” Obama is a well-known orator who used his eloquence to propel himself to the highest office in the land, that of the American presidency. In his speech, Obama believes that the challenges of Americans can only be solved in unity. He is of the opinion that the solution squarely lies in the hand of the Americans themselves. About the visions of Obama, in his speech to the original American Dream, there is much similarity in regards to their purpose and effect on the American people. Crevecoeur as well presents the three main beliefs of the American Dream in his letter to the Europeans are yearning to take charge of theirs lives and enhance their living standards. The beliefs he expresses in his letter are self-sufficiency, the prospect of the ‘promised land’ as well as the American legacy to uphold everyone’s living standards. Similarly, some of the purposes of the American Dream include the sensitisation and the incorporation of the immigrant origins to the United States as well as improved living standards for the Americans. This is the reason why presently there are an increasing number of immigrants to the United States to gain freedom, better living standards, and self-expression .
On the other hand, the American Dream impacts the Americans negatively regarding freedom. The limited space of expression and sensitisation has made attributed to the acute rise in the immorality of the American citizens. The enhanced freedom in the American Dream had reduced authority and increased the rate at which crime spreads out. Freedom regarding self-expression has resulted into lack of order as a result of lack of self-control.
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The perception of Obama and Crevecoeur regarding the American Dream is much relatively similar to different authors’ perception of the American Dream that can be recognised from their personal experiences. Reading from the approach used in the creation of the American dream on the aspect of infrastructure, citizenship as well as the fight against corruption and tax reforms, the Crevecoeur’s and Obama’s versions marry effectively with the themes enshrined in the initial American dream. For instance, according to Fitzgerald, his definition of the American Dream is having the capability to record success in life which is possible mainly through the application of adequate efforts, dedication, irrespective of the social status or social category of the families. According to this author, thriving in America is greatly possible that can be contributed to by equal opportunity of the fulfilment of one’s dreams and aspirations in America. Predominantly, by agreeing to Fitzgerald, it can be possible for people to register a faster rise from poverty levels and become millionaires, an aspect that is almost impossible in most of the countries worldwide. Summarily, according to Fitzgerald, it is possible to change under-privileges to success by engaging them and incorporating their thoughts just like Crevecoeur is calling upon every European who is looking forward to changing their lives .
Consequently, according to Steinbeck in his novel of ‘Of Mice and Men ,’ he regards the American Dream as a broken dream. According to Steinbeck, the idea of the American Dream cannot be determined by a single dream and has meaning for different things along different timelines. Some of the examples of the American Dream are an enhanced the standard of living and the freedom of self-expression. According to Steinbeck, the American Dream is an empty promise to some people who are forced to limit their freedom to realise it. The fact that the American Dream is comprised of several aspects implies that some aspects may be revealed than others. The fact that the American Dream is sustainable for all people in America regardless of origin is not true because according to Steinbeck. Various social classes are established in the Dream and are very difficult to go by hence the fact that the dream may be a blank promise to some people and may appear feasible for other groups of people.
Steinbeck in his novel shows how people immigrate to America in pursuit of the American Dream although they never realise the dream. The social, economic and political challenges block many from realising and benefiting from the profits of the American dream. John Steinbeck expresses the fact that the American Dream is unachievable through the symbolism, setting, and characters of his novel ‘Of Mice and Men .’ He uses his novel setting to shine on the impossible idea of the American Dream. The achievement of the American Dream is proving difficult as portrayed by Steinbeck because everyone is a having a different dream of their own hence deviating attention from the main focus. The personal drive of everyone seeking to achieve their personal and individual dreams has been an issue that blocks the achievement of the American dream for all. The idea by Steinbeck implies that the American dream is a just a blank promise that is meant to be dreamt and can be achieved in no way. The American Dream has seen progress by in the sense that there is a demographic shift towards a multicultural America. The incorporation of the diverse cultural and political ideologies from different groups of people makes it relatively easy for the harmonisation and channelling of the dream towards the right common goals for all. However, there is still a need to fight racism, adjustment of opportunities to help raise the living standard of the Americans as well as enhancing democracy and justice ( Neuman, 2016).
References
Atwater, D. F. (2007). Senator Barack Obama: The rhetoric of hope and the American dream. Journal of Black Studies , 38 (2), 121-129.
Fitzgerald, F. S. (1991). The Great Gatsby (1925) . Na .
J. Hector St. John de Crevecoeur, Letters from an American Farmer, Letter III - http://xroads.virginia.edu/~hyper/crev/letter03.html
Neuman, S. B. (2016). The American Dream: Slipping Away? On Poverty and Learning: Readings from Educational Leadership (EL Essentials) , 83.
Steinbeck, J. (1994). Of mice and men. 1937. Of Mice and Men & Cannery Row .
