Essay on Actuality of the Dream - 1975 Words

Actuality of the Dream At the onset of an emerging American society, J. Hector St. John de Crevecoeur comments on the principles of American social organization and the new consciousness that was arising in Letters from an American Farmer. Crevecoeur incorporated not only his own personal feelings and thoughts into this work, but also integrated depictions of ordinary American life using the â€Å"important philosophical, political, and economic theories of the Enlightenment† (850). The images of a picturesque American farmer whose life is seemingly perfect and filled with abundant happiness in his â€Å"new† world is the foundation, but this vision is abruptly transformed into complete despondency when â€Å"perfection† is contaminated with†¦show more content†¦Even though he attempts to rationalize his situation, it is evident of a foreshadowing to future complication with regard to loyalty when the ideal life proves not to be as flawless as believed. As James illustrates, â€Å"It is not composed, as in Europe, of great lords who possess everything and of a herd of people who have nothing. Here are no aristocratical families, no courts, no kings, no bishops, no ecclesiastical dominion, no invisible power giving to a few a very visible one, no great manufacturers employing thousands, no great refinements of luxury. The rich and the poor are not so far removed from each other as they are in Europe† (854). The image depicted portrays a lifestyle free from any ruling body, either government or religion, and the removal of class systems. It is definitively clear that he is attempting to persuade the people residing in Europe to come to America, experience freedom and realize that there is a better place then where they were prior. Nevertheless, he fails to reject the opposite side to the situation: what happens when industrial growth begins to take root? There will once again be â€Å"great manufacturers† who employ the masses and the rich and the poor will eventually be removed from one another just as they are inShow MoreRelatedMarxist Analysis of the American Dream990 Words   |  4 Pagesrelishing in The American Dream While capitalism promotes the belief that this dream is achievable, it is more often than not, a literal dream, and leaves its pursuers poor, and weak. This keeps the working class powerless, and pacified to propagate capitalistic values. Clean cut examples of this are cases in such societies where people do not have the chance to advance but have the chance to succeed. A strange position that seems to contradict a culture thats Dream is to be powerful and wealthyRead MoreThe Great Gatsby By F. Scott Fitzgerald1152 Words   |  5 Pageswith flourishing dreams and ideals is strong enough for them to strive to repeat it. Jay Gatsby’s idealism of the American dream lies in the past with Daisy. 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