In “What Is the American Dream,” Jennifer Hochschild mentions John Locke’s
fantasy that describes an ideal society where everyone has a chance and
almost-guaranteed to succeed if they work hard. She discusses the concept of success,
highlighting its four tenets in Americans’ sense, and then, she allots the American
dream with four flaws. To understand the “American dream” term Hochschild,
emphasizes four questions and gives the answers to them. “Who May Pursue
Success?” Everyone. “What Does One Pursue?” Reasonable anticipation of success.
“How Does One Pursue Success?” Work hard. “Why Is Success Worth Pursuing?”
Because it is associated with virtue. Although the American dream is understandable
and pretty straightforward in theory, it is hardly achievable in reality. Because of some
weaknesses. First of all, the term “success” in modern American understanding is
mostly an ability to win the social competition to get material wealth and power. The
historically based fact that not everyone can participate equally to obtain the dream
because of racism, sexism, etc. Secondly, people are not similarly ready for failure as
for success. That results in the dream disappearing. Third, when efforts and activities
end in failure, losers stop listening to successful people about what to do; they start to
disbelieve in the dream. Fourth, after many failures, people start blaming each other for
their unsuccess because their efforts are not associated with virtues any more.
It would be an ideal situation to have the American dream come true in any
society. And theoretically, it is possible. As Locke said, “in the beginning […] all the world