09/17/12 - The American Dream - Third Period

9/13/2012

OK so here's what you need to do. Below these directions is a passage regarding the American dream. Read this passage and reply to the question (in bold) that follows in no less than FIVE sentences.

"Achieving the American dream implies reaching some threshold of well being, higher than where one began but not necessarily dazzling. As Bruce Springsteen puts it, "I don't think the American dream was that everybody was going to make . . . a billion dollars, but it was that everybody was going to have an opportunity and the chance to live a life with some decency and some dignity and a chance for some self-respect.'
"The American dream consists in becoming better off than some comparison point, whether one's childhood, people in the old country, one's neighbors, a character from a book, another race or gender--anything or anyone that one measures oneself against" (Hochschild 16).

What does the American dream mean to you? In your own opinion, how do aspects of the American dream apply differently to each American class (lower class, middle class, upper class)? Lastly, what are your thoughts on an online assignment such as this?

19 Comments

Elizabeth Gibson

9/17/2012 10:56:45 am

The American Dream I suppose is something that you work at to get something good in return, something that you want and worked hard for. Middle class will do better than the lower class and higher class will do better than middle class. But I think as we get better were also getting worse. Just because you you grow up poor or come from nothing doesn't mean your going to have nothing your entire life. Everyone has a chance to live the American Dream but you might have to work at it to get it. The online work is great, nothing happens to it and it gets turned in on time.

Dylan Stuart

9/17/2012 10:24:35 pm

The essence of the american dream in my opinion means the same thing to all people. Ultimately it comes down to freedom. But if you were to ask someone who is poor or in the middle class their interpretation of the american dream might be a little different opposed to that of the rich. The american dream to the poor or working class may consist of big houses, nice cars, and success. On the other hand the rich's interpretation of the american dream may consist of mainly the same things but i think that the rich take what they have for granted and don't truly appreciate what they got. My thoughts on an online assignment like this is that it is a good way to discuss and get everyones point of view.

india gordon

9/17/2012 10:27:09 pm

The american dream means to me that as an american we are free, free to become what ever we want, free to become our own person.we can live our lives and you can either take the sucessful route or be independent all your life. Personly i dont think the american dreanm applys differently to each class because its all about being free becomeing what you want and liveing life.I think this assignment is pretty cool, it gives us a chance to comment or give our oppion on certain things

Seth Cline

9/17/2012 10:41:14 pm

The american dream is to live a happy life. For example live in a nice house and make a good income. Maybe have a family and settle down. Or become rich and make lots of money everyday whichever one you choose. As long as your happy.

Nebojsa Varagic

9/18/2012 09:37:00 am

The american dream to me means to be healthy and have a nice house along with a car and i nice family. To different people it may mean different things. For the lower class it may mean having food to eat and to have electricity, for the middle class it may mean to have a little bit more money to spend and have time to do things and go on vacation. For the upper class i think it means to keep having a large income. I don't think people are aware of what they have. We don't usually think about other people because in our society we think about ourselves.

Terry Orris

9/18/2012 10:54:02 am

The American Dream is not just one specific thing. I believe that the American Dream is whatever you believe makes you happy, or what would make you happy. Some people may say to be wealthy and have everything they want in life. Others may say differently, for instance, people with a family that they love and a good paying job could be happy with the way things are and that could be determined as their "American Dream".

Detrus Lewis

9/18/2012 11:26:57 pm

The American Dream To Me Is To Have Your Bills Paid Off, Stress Free, && Having Money For The Things You Need. Or It Could Just Be Having A Nice Home && Car With A Couple Kids. Rather Like A 1950's Theme With It. But There Will Always Be Different Varieties && Opinions With The Scenario.

Bethany Saylor

9/18/2012 11:32:52 pm

I don't feel like the American Dream is just one specific thing. I feel like it is whatever you make it. How ever you put it into words is what it is to you. I think of it as being free. You either fail, or move on to success. If you do good things you will be rewarded with good things. Thats just how i look at it. Im sure people have their own opions and this is mine.

Nemanja Bundalo

9/19/2012 12:34:21 am

The American dream to me means having a family and a big house. Living your dream and having the success you have always wanted. To other people it might mean different. Like living a healthy life and just having a good job. I think it does matter what social class your in. The poor and middle classes American dream might be to have more money and have a good paying job. While the rich want to just be healthy and live a long life because they have all the money and everything they have ever wanted. But I think people should just be happy with what they have and not brag, because it could be worse. Be thankful you have a family and a roof over your head. I think assignments like this are great, because you don't have to worry about losing your paper or forgetting about it. You can always set and alarm and get it done.

Tom Twyford

9/19/2012 01:22:28 am

The american dream to me is being able to achieve anything you set your mind to. If you desire to be extremely successful in a job of your desire, or being able to own or manage your own job or business. For example, i want to get a job in motorcycle mechanics and auto mechanics. I am currently chasing down that goal, being able to go to school for both, being able to get a job at places that i can do my profession. The american dream can be big or small, expensive or not, it isnt only about moneyor anything lkike that as people think

Shelby Edwards

9/19/2012 04:44:07 am

The American Dream is a lot of things. Everyone has their own opinion on what it is. To me, its being happy, stress free and having things i enjoy in life. The lower and middle class might have smaller expectations than the upper class because the upper class can get more things. I think this is pretty cool and better. Its easier and faster to type then write.

Anisha Mills

9/19/2012 05:41:16 am

What the American Dream means to me is when everybody in this country helps anybody who needs it. When we have freedom, justice, this sense of protection. Having a family that would be there for you no matter what you go threw. Basically that means is a sense of peace you can get. Thats what an American Dream means to me.

Steely Sims

9/19/2012 11:11:12 am

the american dream is different for everyone. some people's american dream is to live in a nice house, drive a nice car, and have a family in the future. my american dream is to survive in this violent, dishonest, dying "great" nation. my american dream is to keep my head above water even though my ship is sinking beneath me. i want to stay off the streets, have food to eat, and protect my family from anything. the american dream is always going to apply differently to the different classes. higher class can attain their dream. the middle class has to work alittle more for it. the ones that really have to reach and work super hard to make their dream come true is the lower class. i think this blogging idea is awesome. its really easy to type out my feelings and get my "voice" heard because everyone can read it.

Austin L. Sines

9/19/2012 12:17:01 pm

Before i came to America, Ive always heard rumors about "The American Dream" and what people thought it was to them. But to me the American dream is freedom. It's being able to live your life how you want to live it. But the American dream is going to be different for everyone.The American dream is your own thought of being an American is, that's why they call it the American "Dream". It's your own dream, no one can tell you what it is. But in my eyes, to the lower class it means living a life where you might just be getting by. To the middle class it might be a nice house, healthy family, steady job, everything seems fine, they're happy with what they have. and the upper class might be living in a mansion with a Lamborghini and no worries at all. Like i said everyone's perspective of the American dream will be different.

Nick quattrocchi

9/19/2012 11:28:11 pm

The American dream to me is to accomplish your goals in life. You don't nessisarly need to be rich to live the American even though most people think that is the American dream. Someone's American dream could be just to have a family and live a successful life. Some people may not have high standerds and their American dream is somthing simple as just having freedom, and that's why most people move from other countrys to America. The American dream to me is to have the freedom you want and to accomish all your life goals.

Ali Nixon

9/20/2012 10:54:59 am

To me, "The American Dream" is working hard to become successful, and to then live a good life. The aspects of The American Dream can apply differently to each class of people. For instance, the upper class could be thinking of just the riches and nice cars or houses. Where the middle and lower class are more focused on a good paying job and trying to get a step further in life without struggling. I think online assignments are a great idea. It allows everyone to express their opinions, and also view other peoples opinions.

Mary Mims

9/20/2012 10:18:49 pm

I agree with Bruce Springsteen's idea of the American dream, that it is reaching some threshold of well being. That it is for everybody to have an equal oppyrtunity and a chance to live a life with some decency, dignity and self-respect. Aspects of the American dream are different with every class because when you grow up with all the money you need you end up looking for something different. Every individual's American dream is different according to their own standards. I don't mind this weekly blog assignment as long as the subject is interesting.

Tyler thomas

9/28/2012 04:44:06 am

to me the american dream is to gain all the things in life you wouldnt be able to get in another country not as open as ours. the american dream to the poor is probably to win the lottery and shoot straight up to the upper class. The middle classes american dream is probably to make good money and to raise a family. the upper class american dream is to keep all the other classes down so they get richer.

Jennie Beatty

10/9/2012 12:36:44 am

Living in my own house without my mother also going to college. And maybe having kids. My American dream is a lot different then anybody else's.

The lower class is struggling to buy things. As the middle class is kind of doing fine. The upper class is doing well with three houses and a lot of money.

My thoughts were that is kind of confusing.

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09/17/12 - The American Dream - Third Period

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