The American Dream: To Get Rich Quick :: Essay on the American Dream

Traditionally, Americans hand sought to realize the American dreaming of success, fame and wealth through sparing and hard work. However, the industrialization of the 19th and twentieth centuries began to erode the dream, replacing it with a philosophy of get rich brisk. A variety of enticing but elusive strategies have evolved, and instantly the three leading shipway to instant wealth ar large-prize video game shows, big-jackpot state lotteries and hire lawsuits. In this article, Matthew Warshauer, Professor of History at Central Connecticut render University, examines why so many Americans are persuaded to seek these simple ship canal to their dream. How does virtuoso achieve the American reverie? The answer undoubtedly depends upon matchlesss definition of the woolgather, and there are many from which to choose. John Winthrop visualize a religious paradise in a City upon a Hill. Martin Luther King, Jr. dreamed of racial equality. some(prenominal) men yearned for what they perceived as perfection. Scholars have recognized widely change conceptions of these quests for American excellence. One fixings of the American Dream seems, however, to be passably consistent the quest for money. few will deny that Americans are intently focused on the overlord dollar. In a hostel give to capitalism and the maxim that, the one who dies with the most toys wins, the ability to purchase a big house and a nice car separates those who are considered prospered from those who are not. Yet the read/write head remains, how does one achieve this success? How is the Dream realized? For many Americans the manifestation is one of instant, albeit elusive, gratification. Rather than adhering to a handed-down work ethic, far as well many Americans are pinning their hopes on what they perceive as easy money. This article focuses on three phenomena in contemporary American society that have s uccessfully captured the quest for the American Dream. Savvy marketers have persuade their audiences that a new wave of tv game shows, lottery luck, and profitable lawsuits are theThe American Dream To fascinate Rich Quick Essay on the American Dream Traditionally, Americans have sought to realize the American dream of success, fame and wealth through thrift and hard work. However, the industrialization 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. How does one achieve the American Dream? The answer undoubte dly depends upon ones definition of the Dream, and there are many from which to choose. John Winthrop envisioned a religious paradise in a City upon a Hill. Martin Luther King, Jr. dreamed of racial equality. Both men yearned for what they perceived as perfection. Scholars have recognized widely varying conceptions of these quests for American excellence. One component of the American Dream seems, however, to be fairly consistent the quest for money. Few will deny that Americans are intently focused on the almighty dollar. In a society dedicated to capitalism and the maxim that, the one who dies with the most toys wins, the ability to purchase a big house and a nice car separates those who are considered successful from those who are not. Yet the question remains, how does one achieve this success? How is the Dream realized? For many Americans the formula is one of instant, albeit elusive, gratification. Rather than adhering to a traditional w ork ethic, far too many Americans are pinning their hopes on what they perceive as easy money. This article focuses on three phenomena in contemporary American society that have successfully captured the quest for the American Dream. Savvy marketers have convinced their audiences that a new wave of television game shows, lottery luck, and lucrative lawsuits are the