The American Dream
Daring to Dream Introduction
"I have learned, that if one advances confidently in the direction of his dreams, and endeavors to live the life he has imagined, he will meet with a success unexpected in common hours."
~ Henry David Thoreau
What is the American Dream?
The concept of dreams — the dream of practicing religion without persecution, the dream of having the freedom to pursue happiness, the dream of equality and self-betterment, and the dream of wealth and comfort — has molded America into a land of boundless hope. Understanding how the American Dream has evolved throughout the history of this great nation begins with the recognition that the type of life many people imagine having has shaped and has been shaped by political and social beliefs.
What motivates people to pursue their dreams? Are dreams illusions that send people on a search for the pot of gold at the end of a rainbow? Do people dream to cope with the bleak reality of their lives? Does the death of one person's dream affect the dreams of others? When dreams are achieved, are people transformed? When dreams are abandoned, how do people endure? Examining these questions will help you develop a better sense of yourself and the societal and global forces that shape your life.
Think about your life now and your educational, career and lifestyle goals. Where do you envision yourself ten years from now? Do you hope to win the lotto or become a self-made billionaire? Do you hope to provide financial and emotional security for your family? Or do you simply hope to be a good person who treats others with respect and dignity? Your hopes are intertwined with the hopes of the people and characters you will meet throughout this semester in literature. We will revisit these questions in this section's warm-up activity.
English 3: Daring to Dream
Section Warm-Up: Contemporary American Dream Discussion
Presentation Transcript
We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created
"I have learned, that if one advances confidently in the direction of his dreams, and endeavors to live the life he has imagined, he will meet with a success unexpected in common hours."
~ Henry David Thoreau
What is the American Dream?
The concept of dreams — the dream of practicing religion without persecution, the dream of having the freedom to pursue happiness, the dream of equality and self-betterment, and the dream of wealth and comfort — has molded America into a land of boundless hope. Understanding how the American Dream has evolved throughout the history of this great nation begins with the recognition that the type of life many people imagine having has shaped and has been shaped by political and social beliefs.
What motivates people to pursue their dreams? Are dreams illusions that send people on a search for the pot of gold at the end of a rainbow? Do people dream to cope with the bleak reality of their lives? Does the death of one person's dream affect the dreams of others? When dreams are achieved, are people transformed? When dreams are abandoned, how do people endure? Examining these questions will help you develop a better sense of yourself and the societal and global forces that shape your life.
Think about your life now and your educational, career and lifestyle goals. Where do you envision yourself ten years from now? Do you hope to win the lotto or become a self-made billionaire? Do you hope to provide financial and emotional security for your family? Or do you simply hope to be a good person who treats others with respect and dignity? Your hopes are intertwined with the hopes of the people and characters you will meet throughout this semester in literature. We will revisit these questions in this section's warm-up activity.
English 3: Daring to Dream
Section Warm-Up: Contemporary American Dream Discussion
Presentation Transcript
We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created