American Dream: Difference between revisions

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Introductory paragraph to the term. Brief definition
The American Dream is the ideal that every US citizen should have an equal opportunity to achieve success and prosperity through hard work, determination, and initiative. This idea is rooted in the Declaration of Independence.  It has to do with a set of ideals: democracy, rights, liberty, opportunity, and equality.


==Background==
==Background==
Extended definition of the term.
The American Dream is the unquestioned assumption that hard work leads to success, and that success is measured in terms of economic wealth.  
Who coined the term?
Historian James Truslow Adams popularized the phrase "American Dream" in his 1931 book ''Epic of America.''
Disciplinary history?
 
Significant figures, theorists, etc.?


==Uses in other disciplines==
==Uses in other disciplines==
Many terms are used beyond Media Studies or come from other fields, mention those here.
This term is used in literature.  Some works that use it include the ''Autobiography'' of Benjamin Franklin, Mark Twain's ''The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn'', F Scott Fitzgerald's ''The Great Gatsby'', etc.  Other writers used it as a theme in their works.  Some authors include Hunter S. Thompson, Edward Albee, John Steinbeck, etc. The American Dream is also used in plays.  In Arthur Miller's, ''The Death of a Salesman'' the main character Willy is striving for the American Dream.  


==See also==
Make connections and links to connected keyterms and articles. Remember to consult the guide for [[links]].


==References==
==References==
"Advertising." Dictionary.com. Dictionary.com, Web. 07 Feb. 2017.
Ott, Brian L., and Robert L. Mack. Critical Media Studies: An Introduction. Hoboken, NJ: Wiley Blackwell, 2014. Print.


==External links==
==External links==
Additional online resources for this keyterm.
http://www.loc.gov/teachers/classroommaterials/lessons/american-dream/students/thedream.html


[[Category:Critical Theory]]
[[Category:Critical Theory]]

Latest revision as of 22:28, 23 March 2017

The American Dream is the ideal that every US citizen should have an equal opportunity to achieve success and prosperity through hard work, determination, and initiative. This idea is rooted in the Declaration of Independence. It has to do with a set of ideals: democracy, rights, liberty, opportunity, and equality.

Background

The American Dream is the unquestioned assumption that hard work leads to success, and that success is measured in terms of economic wealth. Historian James Truslow Adams popularized the phrase "American Dream" in his 1931 book Epic of America.


Uses in other disciplines

This term is used in literature. Some works that use it include the Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin, Mark Twain's The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, F Scott Fitzgerald's The Great Gatsby, etc. Other writers used it as a theme in their works. Some authors include Hunter S. Thompson, Edward Albee, John Steinbeck, etc. The American Dream is also used in plays. In Arthur Miller's, The Death of a Salesman the main character Willy is striving for the American Dream.


References

Ott, Brian L., and Robert L. Mack. Critical Media Studies: An Introduction. Hoboken, NJ: Wiley Blackwell, 2014. Print.

External links

http://www.loc.gov/teachers/classroommaterials/lessons/american-dream/students/thedream.html