The+American+Dream

The American Dream is the freedom that allows all citizens and most residents of the United States to pursue their goals in life through hard work and free choice. One person may place monetary gain as their highest goal, and thus strive for this in a very American way, gaining through ability rather than social status. For another, the American Dream could consist in achieving a state of freedom from money and social structure. These two examples of the American Dream are only drops in an ever-expanding spectrum of possibilities. The phrase's meaning has evolved over the course of American history. The Founding Fathers used the phrase, "life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness." it began as the opportunity to achieve greater material prosperity than was possible in their countries of origin. For others it is the opportunity for their children to grow up and receive an education and its consequent career opportunities. It is the opportunity to make individual choices without the restrictions of class, caste, religion, race, or ethnic group.
 * __ The American Dream: __**
 * //For Willy The American Dream Is://**
 * Money
 * Popularity
 * Respect
 * Old American Dream

He focuses too much on the above at the expense of skills. Although he works hard, he lacks the skills to be a successful salesman. He has chosen the wrong path to achieve his dream & doesn't take enough risks to try to get there.
 * //Willy Fails Because://**

The key thing which leads to Willy and Linda's depressions, is their inability to face reality in the present. Their lives are lived in the future, and even in this scene as Willy states; "You wait, kid, before it's all over we're gonna get a little place out in the country."(p.72), we see his ability to constantly speak of unpractical dreams. Their last payment on the mortgage gives closure to this life filled only with dreams, and will allow them to realize some of their idealistic thoughts. Their entire lives have been concentrated on this house, their one meaningful possession, therefore this last payment is an accomplishment beyond any other. To be successful in the 20th century one must be able to accept change, for the world never stays constant for long. The goal of every North American is the American Dream, which is what trapped Willy Loman in the play Death of a Salesman by Arthur Miller. Willy's inability to adapt to the changing world around him leads to his tragic demise. His perspective is similar to a child's; he is never willing to take responsibility for his actions. As a result of his immaturity, Willy builds these enormous dreams, which are unrealistic for a man of his age. Also, Willy never realizes that he is better with his hands than he is with the sales business Traditionally, Americans have sought to realise the American dream of success, fame and wealth through thrift and hard work. However, the industrialisation of the 19th and 20th centuries began to erode the dream, replacing it with a philosophy of "get rich quick". A variety of seductive but elusive strategies have evolved, and today the three leading ways to instant wealth are large-prize television game shows, big-jackpot state lotteries and compensation lawsuits. In this article, Matthew Warshauer, Professor of History at Central Connecticut State University, examines why so many Americans are persuaded to seek these easy ways to their dream.