Stories and their Attachment to the American Dream (Essay Sample)

Stories and their Attachment to the American Dream
Student’s Name
Institution
Outline
Introduction
The Road Not Taken, its relationship to the American Dream and how it fulfills the dream
Immigrants should between keeping their native values and adopting foreign cultures
Decision making and the role it plays in pursuit of the dream
Mother to son, its relationship to the American Dream and how it fulfills this dream
Obstacles are part of the American Dream
Giving up is no option
Conclusion
Stories and their Attachment to the American Dream
Ever since the term ‘American Dream’ was first used in 1931 by James Truslow Adams, it has become common to most Americans. In his definition, Adams defined American Dream as a dream of social order whereby each man and woman living in America will be able to meet their dreams of being capable to live happy lives and be recognized in the society despite their birth circumstances (White & Hanson, n.d). However, most Americans have different perceptions about the American Dream (Murphy, 2010). In connection to the American Dream, ‘The Road Not Taken’ by Robert Frost and ‘Mother to Son’ by Langston Hughes explain this dream and fulfill it.
Robert Frost writes that, ‘the roads diverged in a yellow wood and sorry I could not travel both’ (Frost, 2014). A relation to the American Dream is clear because when immigrants move into America, they are usually faced by conflicting desires to assimilate themselves into the foreign culture or to keep up with their distinct values that have defined them from birth (Murphy, 2010). Such conflicts occur because in chasing the American Dream, every person living in America should make decisions that will enable them embrace opportunities.
In realizing the American Dream, decision-making is vital and can define the future of a person. This is according to White & Hanson (n.d) as they have written that holding this dream is becoming an extreme difficulty. With this in mind, Americans need to practice uniqueness in making decisions that impact their lives, if at all they need succeed. This is clear in the story by Frost in which he writes that, ‘two roads diverged in a wood, and I took – the one less travelled by, and that has made all the difference’ (Frost, 2014). In connection, all Americans should follow their hearts’ desires.
Another story that connects to the American Dream is ‘Mother to Son’ by Langston Hughes. Murphy (2010) has observed that in enduring the American Dream, one has to meet obstacles along the way. This repeats itself in Langston’s story as he writes that, ‘well, son, I’ll tell you: life for me ain’t been crystal clear’ (Hughes, 2014). In relation to this story, the mother advises her son never to give up in life and instead, should always be positive that tomorrow will be better than today. The mother leads by example as she has not yet given up and is not planning to.
Additionally, enduring the American Dream has enabled it to stand the test of time (White & Hanson, n.d). In enduring this dream, Americans should live with the unpleasantness of the dream and still work hard for a bright future. Hughes (2014) has written that, ‘so...