The Evolution and History of the American Dream
The American Dream is a collection of ideas or dreams, which every person has in his or
her mind, of what he or she wants to achieve in life and how they can achieve it. Not only
does it represent freedom in the United States, but also it is associated with the opportunity
for success, which is the goal that all Americans wish to achieve. There are multitudes of
different ways that an individual can reach their unique version of the American Dream.
These methods include receiving higher education, owning property, getting an ideal job,
and/or having a family. The original way to achieve the American Dream was done
through hard work and determination. This concept has existed for many years and will
hopefully continue to exist in the future due to its honest qualities. Throughout United
States history, the American Dream has been affected, represented, and altered by a variety
of people, events, and symbols.
In the United States, there are a variety of symbols that resemble the American Dream and
what it means to be an American. For example, The Declaration of Independence states,
“all men are created equal” and have the right to “Life, Liberty and the pursuit of
Happiness” (Jefferson). This means that the United States and the American Dream are not
only about equality; furthermore they represent a multitude of opportunities. Another
corresponding symbol relating to the American Dream is the Liberty Bell, which
represents freedom in our country. Furthermore, the Constitution, the Statue of Liberty, the
