The American Dream

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Eric Fournier

English 201-001

Mr. Rowlette

September 1, 2010

Reaction Paper I

My View of the American Dream

            The American Dream in my perspective is that every person who comes too, or leaves from America has the freedom of choice to within the boundaries of the judicial system obtain their dreams.  My personal dream is to advance the state of America’s culture through the education of its peoples of Jesus Christ. I hope to become a pastor to spread the gospel to the four corners of Earth.  Obtaining one’s dream isn’t always feasible or obtainable, but we all have the freedom to do so as we desire.

            The American Dream started first with Christopher Columbus and quickly moved on through history to Del Cortés and so forth.  Along with the burden of the white man, the American Dream became apparent to everyone in Europe as the propaganda of the New World spread.  All of a sudden there was a land full of resources, riches, and real estate prime for the taking.  Not only did the noble and rich classes of European culture realize the dream and abundance that America provided, so did the poor who saw the opportunity to change their lives.       I feel strongly that as a people we control the outcome of the world, but the hand of God still guides history through its leaders, religious convictions of the times, and the perseverance of community.  We sometimes cannot obtain the American Dream without the help of others because the American Dream is not always an individualistic goal, societies’ goals can be just as much the dream of an individual, using Martin Luther King as the prime American example.  The dream can at times be freedom from oppression, a change in a law, or simply a holiday set

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aside to remember a great act.  Memorial Day is a great example of the American Dream, because it is set aside to honor those who have died supporting the dreams of everyone.

            The song “America the Beautiful” composed by Samuel Ward perhaps describes the American Dream best across all times and communities.  The opening lines, “O beautiful for spacious skies, For amber waves of grain, For purple mountain majesties, Above fruited plains…” just touches on the limited open country called America.  These few items not only describe adventure and resources, but also declare the pride of Americans in their home.  Whenever this song is heard by young or old Americans, those who are respectful always stop and ponder these words, reflecting on their dreams; either fulfilled or not.  The soldier being chief among them, because the song is the truest representation of any Americans will to overcome any obstacle.

            Today my American Dream is controlled by God’s will for my life, I desire to be in tune with my calling and when I fulfill that, I have completed my dream.  This is not contradictory to the American Dream, but it is contrary to secular belief because they feel that their dream is only their own and no one else should be able to tell them how to follow or accomplish it

The American Dream is debatable from person to person, but one thing remains the same, everyone has access to it.  Life is an adventure in America, and freedom is abundant.  We draw the masses, and accept them, culture and personality alike.  This alone is the one property of the America’s which is unique and non universal when compared to the European, Middle Eastern, or Asian nations.  The American Dream is the ability that we as a people have taken on to form our culture of unsurpassed abilities to grasp the unobtainable.