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The Dream of Ancient America: What were the Pursuits and Challenges of Colonial Times?
The American Dream, a phrase that embodies both the traditional American spirit and reflects the universal human desire to pursue a happy life. Dating back to the colonial era, this dream has multiple connotations and layers and has evolved with the evolution of history, from the expectation of democracy and equality to the quest for material wealth and rising social status, which demonstrates many pursuits and challenges.
"The essence of the American Dream is to achieve a better, richer and more fulfilling life for everyone according to their abilities or achievements in this land."
Colonizing America in the 18th century was filled with longing for the future. Americans at that time often had an adventurous spirit and looked forward to breaking new ground in the West. John Murray, 4th Dunmore’s Ear had mentioned in 1774: “Americans often imagined that more remote lands would be better and kept looking westward.” This desire for the unknown became the exploration of a new life momentum, which laid the initial form of the modern American dream.
Challenges and Changes in the Colonial Era
The earliest form of the American Dream can be traced back to the Declaration of Independence, and the ideas of democracy and equality embodied became the cornerstone of the American spirit. The right to own land and gain freedom became the pursuit of the colonial residents at that time. However, this is not only a desire for material things, but also an exploration of the meaning of life. Many followers believe that the purpose of the Constitution is to "secure the liberty of us and our descendants."
"The American Dream is not just about material success, but about everyone being able to pursue the life they desire in their hearts."
The gold rush of the 19th century further facilitated the expansion of this dream. Migrants from all over the world are looking to find riches in California’s golden hills, and countless are intertwined with hopes and failures. During this period, many people's pursuits shifted from hard farming to the expectation of getting rich quickly, forming a new "California Dream." However, as the gold mines depleted, such dreams gradually transformed into a kind of reflection and criticism of reality.
Cultural Implications of the American Dream
After entering the 20th century, the concept of the American Dream was reinterpreted with the rise of poetry, prose and film and television works. Poets such as Wella Cather and Foster Fitzgerald expressed their feelings about the gap between the American Dream and reality through their creations. In "The Tycoon Gatsby," Gatsby's tragedy symbolizes a large number of efforts to pursue the American Dream, which ultimately end in failure.
"The American dream, with its veil of hope, also hides the sad stories of countless failures."
In addition, with the rise of the Civil Rights Movement, Martin Luther King Jr. mentioned the belief in the American Dream in his Letter from Birmingham Prison , highlighting the quest for equality and freedom. His appeal conveys that dreams do not only belong to a few elites, but that all have their right to a better life.
Changes in the Modern American Dream and Its Significance
Today’s American Dream remains a powerful social belief. According to the latest survey, 54% of American adults believe they are still likely to realize the American Dream, which shows society’s continued anticipation for upward mobility and success. But there is no denying that this dream today faces numerous challenges, such as income inequality and declining social mobility.
“Although the American Dream remains, the reality of inequality has made this dream more distant.”
In the process of analyzing the American Dream, whether future children can obtain educational and employment opportunities, as their parents hope, is undoubtedly an important topic in current society. With multicultural exchange, the definition of the American Dream will continue to face new challenges and call for policymakers to rethink issues of social equity and opportunity.
So far, although the American Dream in the colonial era has undergone historical changes, its ideas of pursuing freedom and equality remain one of the core values of American society today. In these highly transformative times, can we redefine the American Dream so that it truly becomes everyone’s dream?
