The American Dreamer

Since America was formed, there has been something special about it that set it apart from other countries: the American Dream. As time has progressed, the American Dream has adapted to different contexts in which the citizens are living in. In the past, people dreamt about becoming rich plantation owners; however, today these same people fight for equality. In his scholarly article titled “Reaffirmation and Subversion of the American Dream,” USC professor Walter Fisher discusses the two forms of the American Dream and its importance to American society. In the beginning of the article, Fisher claims that the American Dream actually consists of two dreams. He states that there is the materialistic form of the American Dream, which is the “rags to riches…grounded on the puritan work ethic and relates to the values of effort,” and the moralistic version which comprises of “values of tolerance, charity, compassion, and true regard for the dignity and worth of each and every individua...

People from all over the world hold different values according to their customs, beliefs, and backgrounds. America is a diverse country, making it difficult for foreigners to understand American ideals. For this reason, foreign student advisor Gary Althen identifies and explains some core American values in the chapter “American Values and Assumptions,” taken from his book American Ways: A Guide for Foreigners in the United States. One key American value that Althen emphasizes is informality of “speech, dress, and body language” (11). I did not notice the informality of American life until I began taking Spanish classes in high school. I have never been out of the country; therefore, I am not exposed to various cultures and traditions. I believed that everyone universally addresses their parents and professors in the same manner that we do here in America. What I came to learn throughout four years of taking this class is that people of Latin America have more respect for the...