Every american understands the meaning of “the american dream”, as no other people have
its national dream. it has become an important part of their identity. today the dream seems to
mean that anything is possible if you really want it, but we decided to find out the initial concept
of the american dream.
the puritans, who came to new england in 1620, had their own dream. in england they had
been well-educated and rich, but they did not agree with how the anglican church practised
religion, so they left behind their comfortable lives and set out on a mission. these first puritans
were dreaming to start a new life and give their children a better future, and this was the heart
of the american dream.
by 1776 the new americans had lived in the thirteen colonies for more than 150 years, but
they still did not have their own government. the british took taxes and had authority over them.
so, the colonists started american revolution and fought for their american dream: freedom to
live the life they wanted. these democratic ideal was granted to the americans by the declaration
of independence. in fact, the new united states became an equal society only for the white men.
since the times the meaning of the american dream has changed significantly: from freedom
and equality to a more material happiness. although the dream has always been about achieving a
better life if you work hard enough and think positively. americans love “ rags-to-rich es” stories
about real people who have “ m ade it b ig ” . the biography of well-known abraham lincoln begins
in a kentucky log cabin and ends in the white house. horatio alger jr.’s nineteenth-century
novels depict characters’ success stories, as achieved through honest work and courage. in the
1930s, novelist john steinbeck published “of mice and men” in which the migrant laborers
george and lennie clin g to th eir dream of owning a farm, even as they face brutal poverty. the
2006 film the pursuit of happiness tells the true story of chris gardner, who had been homeless
and even in jail, before he finally grabbed a t a chance and became one of the richest and most
successful african-americans on wall street.
like the people who went to california to find gold in the 19th century, many americans
today hope to “ strike it rich ” in las vegas. teenagers and adults also try to become rich and
famous in the reality tv shows like american idol or big brother. some say that the american
dream has become the pursuit of material prosperity, when people work more hours to get bigger
cars or fancier homes, but have lesser time to enjoy them. others say that it’s impossible for the
working poor who must do two jobs to insure their family’ s survival. yet others look toward a
new american dream with less focus on financial gain and more emphasis on living a simple and
fulfilling life. how about your american dream?
read the sentences and correct the wrong ones according to the text.
1 ) the dream is an expression of the americans’ national identity.
2) over the years of history the idea of the american dream has always remained original.
3) all american citizens obtained the same rights and freedoms after the american revolution.
4) to make your dream come true, it is not only the efforts, but the attitude what also
matters.
5) nowadays most americans are sceptical about the news of instant riches or success and
claim it to be dreamlike.
6) people still cant leave the idea of money as the main for happiness.