The 1920’s was the period in time in which distractions took place of the “American dream” that all Americans were striving for. Instead of focusing on this “dream”, people of the 1920’s began taking more interest in jazz music, parties, drinking, smoking, and many other things. This revolutionary decade brought new ideas and lifestyles to the American culture. Although this was a time period when people seemed to have lost their morals and focus on achieving the “American dream”, I believe it was a necessary step America needed to take towards modernization. This was a period of great advance for the nation. It is even “often characterized as a period of American prosperity and optimism”. If optimism and prosperity are two words used to describe this era, people couldn’t have possibly lost sight of their American dream. Americans seem to be the most hopeful and have the most desire to succeed in this decade. If you think Americans lost sight of their American dream, how did the “distractions” of the roaring twenties cause this to happen? Did people truly lose sight of their dream?
By definition, the American dream is “a national ethos of the United States of America in which democratic ideals are perceived as a promise of prosperity for its people”. In other words, it is a dream every American has in which they strive for prosperity and happiness. I don’t think Americans completely lost sight of their dream during the 20’s. During this decade, people were simply changing with the times. Drinking, smoking, going to parties, and listening to jazz music were some of the characteristics that were hard to get past. These were just a few of the things that Americans took a part of in this era. The American dream is not necessarily the same for every single person, or in this case, time period. It shifts as the American lifestyle changes. Therefore, I do not believe Americans lost sight of their dream; their dream just changed.
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Well said E-kidd. The American Dream is forever changing- as it should be. Sure, the original inspiration may have become deformed, but it's not to say that the dream doesn't exist. There are too many ideas and roles in different areas and times for all Americans to have the same dream.
ReplyDeleteI really like your post kidd! My favorite line is "Although this was a time period when people seemed to have lost their morals and focus on achieving the “American dream” because it is so ironic, in my point of view, that one must lower themselves to fulfill their dreams. This post is a little bit like my post how I said that people need the help of others when they are making decisions and how they just want to fit in with everyone else.
ReplyDeleteThe dream isnt just one dream. Its anyones dream and inspiration. Any collective ideas. There is a dream and always will be such as Martin Luther King and his equality and Obama and "change". Everyone must make an effort to have a dream or the world wouldnt be so prosperous.
ReplyDeleteI love this Elizabeth! It's really different from what everyone else is writing about. I agree with you that the American dream wasn't LOST; they only temporarily LOST SIGHT of it. And there is a big difference between giving up and just being distracted for a while. We all have our distractions, but we still all have our dreams!
ReplyDeleteWhile I was reading through this I thought to myself, "Well the American Dream evolves with time" and then you said it. Great! This is what we were talking about in D/C talk and I think you're right. The American Dream is an idea that everyone has to themselves, but can share the general thing with the whole nation.
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