When I read the Great Gatsby it was about striving for equality, but more of a drive to become as rich as possible. Although not always by the best of means, the idea that Americans were portrayed to care about nothing more than to reach the top is what kept the economy and the nation for that matter going. Most of the characters in the novel are full of nothing more than hope. Hope for money, hope for love, hope for a life better than what they had in the past. As Linn wrote, life is more complex than we think.
Delbanco’s interpretation that Thoreau creates world that we both need and fear is basically saying that Thoreau creates the perfect world that we would need to best survive and would strive the best in; however this world is something that we as people are not used to and have never experienced so we would be skeptical and scared when it is presented to us. I definitely agree with Delbanco’s statement about Thoreau’s world. Although it would be nice to love in a world where things were based on a man’s conscience rather than government, and the people played a bigger part in how things were ran; it would be something nobody is used to therefore no one would really know what they were doing and who is to say we can trust everyone’s conscience because there are some people in the world with bad consciences. In my opinion Thoreau’s world would only work in
D’Souza acknowledges that while there are many materialistic gains to be made in the American society the desire for immigration and the commonly held views of America has a more prominent reason, the American dream is a dream based on freedom. It is not necessarily a literal freedom from oppression but a freedom of choice, a freedom to create one’s own destiny. D’Souza’s most powerful and agreeable argument is that the Americans simply have a better standard of living in comparison to most countries. In many countries throughout the world living conditions cannot be changed. No amount of hard work or experience can change something that you were born into.
Americans believe that success or failure is based on individual efforts and capabilities, which is not entirely true. Looking up to this frontier spirit, go-it-alone mindset and lone wolf point of view holds Americans back from achieving the success they seek. Causes of the success myth This myth stems from the fact that Americans believe that anyone who works hard can become successful. The myth of success implies that any person can be successful through hard work since a majority of people define success by the amount of money an individual is worth. Americans live in a culture that defines human worth by the amount of money an individual owns.
Americans today have much concern about the concept of outsourcing. Ron Hira and Anil Hira in there book Outsourcing America, pose the question “Who is right and why is there difference in opinion whether this is good for America?” Critics continue to argue that outsourcing has a negative impact on American jobs, the economy, national security and pose that should this be allowed to continue, a prosperous future for all Americans is dim. However, it is also profitable for all to view their complaints as objectively as possible because they would never mention the vast benefits that come with outsourcing, especially here in America. Yes, the subject does bring a lot of insecurity and confrontation, but there are those who see it differently. While outsourcing has negative and positive implications, in the long run the future for American will lean towards the positive side of the scale.
Scott Fitzgerald’s novel The Great Gatsby requires a basic understanding of the social classes; this includes their status, which pertains to their wealth, leading to their popularity among true peers. The narrator, Nick Carraway, personally realized that even with all the wealth and all the popularity in the world, discrimination and prejudice due to social status would never completely fade away. Yet, to the opposing extreme, one with all wealth and highest social status would not achieve true bonds with one another. “…I snobbishly repeat, a sense of the fundamental decencies is parcelled out unequally at birth.” (Fitzgerald 17). In other words, basic respect and appreciation for one another is, naturally, distributed unevenly, the richer the more honored, the poorer the more prejudice.
Feeling helpless due to the economy they become addicted to claiming help from other sources other than themselves because it just seems easier. Thomas argues,” Anyone who thinks dysfunctional government is going to help their dreams is putting their faith in the wrong place.” In other words, the government cannot help everyone. Instead we should but putting our faith into ourselves. We are what makes America today, and if we don’t like it, then maybe we should take action and change it. If we were to start by supporting small business, we would be creating more employment, and keeping money in the community.
Those opposed to this proposal will say that America is all about freedoms and this proposal will make us more socialistic. What people don’t realize is America is a mixed economy. Whether it is mad known or not, America uses some socialistic measures to keep our country afloat. Those who oppose are thinking selfishly and don’t have faith that these young adults can help the country. Mandatory National service is imperative and should get put into affect immediately because the livelihood of the United States depends on it.
Fortunately this is a really good thing; this pushes society and keeps us moving forward. One question that arises from this idea is, Can dreams be accomplished? Once we seem to achieve one dream we just dream higher and higher, making our dreams never fully satisfied. A dream is not an obtainable number or object, it is a journey. As Thomas Jefferson stated in the Declaration of Independence “that [all men] are endowed by their creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.” “Happiness is not something ready made.
Not celebrating assimilation creates the impression that America is allowing immigration solely because the economy needs it. While economic factors are the driving force behind any society, it must be acknowledged and celebrated that cultural diversity augments economic growth. What bothers me is that Rodriguez seems to be overemphasizing the effects of cultural background in defining individuality. And because I live in America I feel as if I am being defined solely in cultural contexts. With this in mind, I began to wonder whether America is truly a place where individuality is valued.