Entry 67: The American Dream

The Modern Era in America was a time of great change. As you explore the introductory section to Collection 5, you will find references to the “American Dream.” By now you should have some understanding of the American mindset, formed by our readings up to this point as well as your own prior knowledge (from history classes, etc). Using that knowledge, answer the following questions: What is or was the American dream? What happened to the American dream in the early twentieth century? In what ways did modernism change tradition—especially in what people valued in art and literature?

• The American Dream is the ideal that America is a free country, and that it welcomes anyone and everyone. It includes ideas such as the possibility of being able to own property, which might have been impossible for people back in their home countries. The second part of the American Dream is very optimistic. It is the idea that no matter who, they will be able to succeed if they work hard. For example, they will be able to own property if they worked hard. Another important factor is that people will be able to pursuit happiness; there are not oppressive factors stopping or limiting people from their goals and dreams.
• In the early twentieth century, the American Dream shattered. The difficult conditions of life such as poverty, disease, and death all contributed to this. War that had broken out, as well as depression, brought reality to people, and they started to believe that the American Dream was all only just a dream. They then started to take onto more realistic approaches: first the realist approach, then the modern approach.
• The modernism movement started whole new ideas. These ideas differ from all traditional ideas. For example, it can be very fancy, compared to the plain style that the traditional Puritans used.