كلية التربية للعلوم الانسانية

 The American Dream: The meaning of American Dream

الحلم الأمريكي:معنى الحلم الامريكي

م . علاء سعدون محسن جاسم المعمار

جامعة الانبار كلية التربية للعلوم الانسانية –قسم اللغة الانكليزية

ed.alaa.saadoun@uoanbar.edu.iq

https://www.uoanbar.edu.iq/English/staff-page.php?ID=306

      Almost everyone in the United States wishes to experience and live the American dream at some point in their lives. But, what really is the meaning of the American dream? and how can people reach this hazy and elusive goal? The American dream is a national concept or belief that outlines ideal qualities such as democracy, freedom, rights, and equality that ensures that every citizen has an equal chance to flourish and fulfill it aims.

the American dream removes any artificial barriers to success and encourage everyone in the United States to achieve upward social mobility via hard effort, regardless of their social, religious, historical, or racial background. The American dream is a term that is selling all over the world, and millions of people are crossing the American border as immigrants in quest of a dream that they cannot find in their own countries.

       The Great Gatsby is one of the few works written during the height of the American dream that recounts the true story of how the dream is nothing more than a nightmare. So, what is the American dream, exactly? It's the belief that no matter who you are, where you came from, or who your parents are one can become successful with hard work. F. Scott Fitzgerald the author of The Great Gatsby knew the truth. He knew that this dream was just a hoax that caused many to struggle their entire lives believing that they too could become rich and live full lives. Immigrants also fell under the false pretenses of this dream by coming to America thinking that they could leave behind their troubles and start over a new life. What everyone wants, wealth and happiness. But Daisy and the dream are both phonies. Just like how Daisy appears reachable to Jay, the dream appears reachable to the working class. Most likely someone will not be killed by an angry husband while trying to achieve this, but Gatsby was. Wilson killing Gatsby represents how those who try to reach the dream will be beaten down until they have nothing left, even if they believe they are close to their goals.

Key words:

 American Dream; Democracy : wealth :

References

Adams, James Truslow.  The Epic of America.  Blue Ribbon Books, 1941.

Bewley, Marius.  “Scott Fitzgerald’s Criticism of America.” The Sewanee Review. 1954, 62(2):223.

America.” The  Sewanee Review.1954, 62(2):223