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

Traditionally, Americans direct sought to gain the American dream of success, fame and wealth by means of thrift and hard work. However, the industrialisation of the 19th and 20th centuries began to erode the dream, replenishment it with a philosophy of suffer rich quick. A innovation of seductive but tortuous strategies have evolved, and today the three leading ways to instant wealth be large-prize television game shows, big-jackpot responsibility lotteries and compensation lawsuits. In this article, Matthew Warshauer, professor of History at Central computed tomography State University, examines why so some(prenominal) Americans are persuaded to seek these cushy ways to their dream. How does one compass the American ambitiousness? The answer doubtless depends upon ones interpretation of the Dream, and there are many from which to choose. lavatory Winthrop envisioned a apparitional paradise in a city upon a Hill. Martin Luther Kin g, Jr. ideate of racial equality. Both men yearned for what they comprehend as perfection. Scholars have recognise widely varying conceptions of these asks for American excellence. ace component of the American Dream seems, however, to be fairly consistent the quest for money. Few will refuse that Americans are intently focused on the almighty dollar. In a society dedicated to capitalism and the byword that, the one who dies with the most toys wins, the expertness to purchase a big domicil and a nice machine separates those who are considered successful from those who are not. as yet the question remains, how does one accomplish this success? How is the Dream realized? For many Americans the formula is one of instant, albeit elusive, gratification. sort of than adhering to a traditional work ethic, farthermost too many Americans are pinning their hopes on what they perceive as easy money. This article focuses on three phenomena in c ontemporary American society that have successfully captured the quest for the American Dream. Savvy marketers have convinced their audiences that a untested wave of television game shows, draft luck, and lucrative lawsuits are theThe American Dream To Get Rich firm 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 ach ieve the American Dream? The answer undoubtedly 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, gratificatio n. Rather than adhering to a traditional work 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