Essay about Living or Dying with the American Dream

Everyone wants to be successful. We all dream of having a decent job, a house, a car or two, good social connections and the respect of our peers. We dream of opportunity and freedom. In Death of a Salesman by Arthur Miller, many characters are pursuing their own version of this dream, but they go about it in many different ways. Some see work and perseverance as necessities. Others think personal charm and popularity are essential in obtaining their dreams. We see the American Dream through the eyes of many different characters, giving us perspective of our own priorities and goals. Once we see the American dream from all of these angles we have to decide how we will interpret it, and how we will react. Willy Loman is the main person†¦show more content†¦In order to find that happiness we have to decide what makes us happy, and from the statements above we can say that it is opportunity, freedom and family. The sad part of this is a lot of us still manage to misinterpret what happiness means. Like several characters in Death of a Salesman, including Willy, many people think luxury and money is going to make them happy. British economist Richard Layard published a book entitled Happiness in which he discussed the results of several tests he ran. He discussed having a group of children that were asked how happy they were on a scale of one to ten. The childrens overall happiness level was about a six. Then each child got to select a â€Å"gift†, at random, from a bag. Again the children were asked how happy they were on a scale of one to ten. Surprisingly their happiness level had dropped. It was now a four. They were now materially â€Å"richer†, but they reported being less happy than before. This shows that wealth does not make us happy. So why do we, like Willy still think it will? (Professor Richard Layard on Happiness) (Carroll, 2012). One of the reasons the children in the study were less happy is because they compared their  "gifts† to their peers â€Å"gifts† and they felt like they gotShow MoreRelatedThe American Dream In Jeannette Wallss The Glass Castle1519 Words   |  7 Pagescall it the American Dream, because you have to be asleep to believe it.† Financial security, freedom to live how one chooses, retiring at 65 and living comfortably in old age, owning a home, knowing that working hard pays off: these are all fundamental beliefs tied to the American Dream. As newer generations are increasingly finding the dream to be unrealistic, people are beginning to abandon the concept; however it is still a very present ideology. While many believe the American Dream is a livelyRead MoreThe American Dream In James T. Adamss The American Dream1220 Words   |  5 Pagesphrase â€Å"The American Dream† was popularized by James T. Adams in his book Epic of America. The meaning of the American Dream has changed overtime but still has the same idea: anything is achievable if you work for it, regardless of your financial or social standpoint. The twentieth century was filled with Americans in the working class motivated by the popularized phrase. People wanted to work and improve their positions, but suddenly, everything changed. The American dream turned merely a dream; a literalRead MoreEssay about Buried Child928 Words   |  4 Pagesbut from him re-visiting his family, we get the impression, that he must of done well for himself. The set we are first introduced to is a living room. â€Å"With pale frayed carpet†, â€Å"an old dark green sofa with the stuffing coming out in spots† and an â€Å"old-fashioned brown T.V†. However, their material need is so the issue, unlike what would expect in the ‘American family’. This â€Å"well worn† furniture reflects a resignation to a tired and despondent life. This is further illustrated in the character ofRead MoreWho Is The American Dream?1490 Words   |  6 PagesAmericans because they often think of The American Dream as a way or path to greater times. The American Dream gives hope for Americans because it gives them freedom, hope and it also encourages us to achieve goals that will make our life a lot easier in the future for future generations and ourselves. A real life situation of the American dream, for example is like other people from other countries coming to America to find jobs to support their families, build new ones or simply have a better lifeRead MoreOf Mice And Men : Final Assessment910 Words   |  4 PagesAmulya Parmar Mrs. Mack American Literature A4 September 29, 2014 Of Mice and Men: Final Assessment What truly is the â€Å"American Dream†? Furthermore, during the Great Depression, even the concept of the â€Å"American Dream† was not readily available and was no more than a fallacy at the time. For the 2 protagonists in Of Mice And Men, their dream, like many others, was to â€Å"live off the fatta the land† and become independent. However, this was not such an easy task at the time, not just because ofRead MoreWho Is The American Dream? Essay1679 Words   |  7 PagesAmericans because they often think of The American Dream as a way or path to greater times. The American Dream gives hope for Americans because it gives them freedom, hope and it also encourages us to achieve goals that will make our life a lot easier in the future for future generations and ourselves. A real life situation of the American dream, for example is like other people from other countries coming to America to find jobs to support their families, build new ones or simply have a bette r lifeRead MoreAnalysis Of Fences By August Wilson1240 Words   |  5 Pagesyoung, they are told to â€Å"dream big† and â€Å"shoot for the stars†. Nothing seems impossible. As people grow older, they become more aware of reality and dim their childhood dreams to a more practical level. However, this light always remains in the back of their brain, keeping them wondering what if? What if they had continued to pursue this goal despite the likeliness of failure? Would it still be worth it? Fences by August Wilson tells the story of an impoverished African-American family in the 1950s andRead More Chapter 2, -The Great Gatsby- -Dying society- Essay936 Words   |  4 PagesChapter 2, -The Great Gatsby- -Dying society- Fitzgerald presents in this novel upper-class people, who live in the world of dreams. He tries to describe the life of milliners, who spends enormous amount of money on drugs, parties, alcohol and other luxury things. In this chapter the writer clearly shows us that America in 20th was dying, there was no truth, no love and no real relationships, and everything was based on how much money each American had. All America had just people whoRead MoreThe American Dream Analyzed in the Great Gatsby Essay762 Words   |  4 PagesThe Great Gatsby: The American Dream Their love is founded upon feelings from the past, these give it, notwithstanding Gatsbys insistence on being able to repeat the past, an inviolability. It exists in the world of money and corruption but is not of it. The Great Gatsby, a novel by F. Scott Fitzgerald, is about the American Dream, and the demise of those who attempt to capture its false goals. For Jay, the dream is that, through wealth and power, one can obtain happinessRead MoreAnalysis Of Jhumpa Lahiris The Fault In Our Stars1544 Words   |  7 Pagesthey give birth to their first son Gogol, the main character of the book. The reason they moved to the United States was because of Ashoke’s job, which is Gogols father. Shortly after moving to the United States, they are abruptly introduced to the American pop culture. In the Fault in Our Stars written by John Green, the story takes place in Indianapolis, Indiana. Hazel Grace, the main character, is diagnosed with stage 4 thyroid cancer with metastasis forming in her lungs. The two main characters

The Importance of Art Essay - 655 Words

Art is a form of human expression. Art can be seen as the artist sleight of hand on his mood. Art is in various media from posters to public wall of which we call â€Å"graffiti†. Art is elusive as the use of colors shapes and the surface used adds a new dimension. Art portrays various ideas, feelings such as triumph, love, happiness, sorrow and boredom in loss to mention a few. Art is beauty and creativity. During man’s evolution art has progressed over in its most primitive state up to its most modernized versions today. History shows that art has been used as a major tool for communication. Cavemen did art on their walls using unsophisticated and blunt tools. The indigenous people of our country, the aborigines such as Albert Namatjira†¦show more content†¦Ancient Egyptians, Aztecs, Incas and Mayans created many meticulous pieces of art. Some of the meticulous pieces of art are masks, pyramids, jewelry, wall paintings, tombs, sarcophagi. The primal Romans and Greeks showed their appreciation of life through art. India used art to show their dance and their religions. The African art is symbolic of their tribal cuffs as seen of their totem poles. Today, Art has gone through many changes. Abstract art dominates art today shows ambiguous life a man lives, in contrast to the unambiguous art of the past. Modern does not have spirituality and cultural values and beliefs in the past and is now a reflection of a materialistic life of today. Bill Henson, a portrait artist used his 12 year old Olympia as a nude model for his portrait drawing. This brought much controversy that he was exploiting the body of an under - age girl as his own gains. This shows that art is used for popularity and financial gain. The message behind art is to show ideas and ideas that are relevant to society. Art is meant to enliven life and things, though modern art shows more if life’s negativeness. Galleries, parks and museums view to the public with meaningfulness and with the appreciation for art. Art is still effective as hand written material was seen in the walls of Ancient Egypt. Modern art stimulates the thought and fosters greaterShow More RelatedThe Importance Of Art1760 Words   |  8 PagesThe question of how valuable art is, is something that has been debated for hundreds of years; as well as the that art has to have a purpose. People have used the arts for religious or political purposes for far longer than the idea that art can be for its own sake. For instance, in ancient Greece and Rome art was used for religious and political purposes and was not made for pure enjoyment. Also, within the early christian church it was seen as a tool for religious purposes. It was not until theRead MoreThe Importance Of Art856 Words   |  4 PagesArt is all around us, it’s everywhere you go: cartoons, buildings, photography, even the architecture of streets and sidewalks. There are many forms of art, and it doesnt have to be just drawing or painting, it can also be singing, acting, poetry, fashion, etc. All of these talents are an embodiment of expression, it allows individuals to explore their creativity and enhances their learning abilities. Without art everything would be black and white, there would be no substance. In today’s age, notRead MoreThe Importance Of Art On Body Art749 Words   |  3 PagesOpportunity of expression is essential, however not to a degree, that it anticipates intimidating body art. Does Individuals less than 21 years old should be allowed tattoos? I insist they must not to have the tattoos. They are a greater number of professionals than cons to help this subject. I trust that people under age 21 has a tendency to do hasty things without thoroughly considering the long haul results of their exercises. Irresponsible, imaginative, unconstrained – yes, you can at presentRead MoreThe Importance Of Art Education1561 Words   |  7 PagesAccording to art professor Karin Evans, â€Å"Art is an irreplaceable way of understanding and expressing the world.† Many people agree that art brings joy and cools students down after all the other hard work they have to think about during the school day. Art education can do much more than taking the stress away from the students. It can help students who have difficulty in core classes and help decrease the chances of dropouts. Art advocates have been stressing the benefits of art education to schoolsRead More The Importance of Art Essay969 Words   |  4 PagesThe Importance of Art Throughout the ages art has played a crucial role in life. Art is universal and because art is everywhere, we experience it on a daily basis. From the houses we live in (architecture) to the movies we see (theatre) to the books that we read (literature). Even in ancient culture art has played a crucial role. In prehistoric times cave dwellers drew on the wall of caves to record history. In biblical times paintings recorded the life and death of Christ. Throughout timeRead MoreThe Importance Of The Arts At School1497 Words   |  6 Pages Importance of the Arts in School People often view artistic activities as a leisure activity, so though they may agree it is a nice thing to have, they may not think it is essential to a person’s life. It is the same for schools, with tight budgets, art is usually the first subject cut from a student’s learning experience because it is not viewed as a priority. However, with all of the academic benefits students can gain from being involved in any type of art subject, it is important that schoolsRead MoreThe Importance Of Public Art1031 Words   |  5 PagesWhat is art? The answer to that has been debated for thousands of years. The definition of art is too broad a topic to discuss in just a few words. Public art, though also varying wildly from piece to piece, can be defined more easily. Its not considered an art form, so to speak, because it can be any piece of art available to the public to view, of any size or medium. This includes sculptures, murals, and architecture. Some people may even consider graffiti to be public art. And its not justRead MoreThe Importance Of Arts In Education897 Words   |  4 PagesUnited States offer a variety of arts programs, while other schools may have mediocre to non-existent arts programs. Students in their early years of schooling from elementary to high school depending on whether he or she has an arts education can affect them in the long run. Art programs since the 1980s have integrated into public education, however the No Child Left Behind act has since put the arts in the decline. According to Americans, 93% of them agree the arts are vital to providing a well-roundedRead MoreThe Importance Of Art Artifacts1389 Words   |  6 Pagesownership on precious and ancient artifacts. These historical art pieces represent culture, history, and religion. There is a lot of knowledge and background stories that can be obtained from these art pieces that need to be spread around the world. Museums and countries from which the artifacts originated have been at battle on who should keep the art artifacts. From most people’s view, it is morally wrong and disrespectful that museums keep the art artifacts away from its origin. However, in reality, theRead MoreImportance Of Arts In Education868 Words   |  4 PagesThe arts should be known as a core academic subject. Arts should be in education at schools because it helps with all of the students classes. Music includes about every subject. Math, with the counting and rhythms. English in the reading of the music; Scien ce in the history of the writers the music and what time the music was written; History is the time frame of the songs and the music that tells a story; Physics, in the way the instructor conducts. Clearly music is a pretty important art. For

Norway A Country That Occupies The North Region Of Europe

Norway, also referred to as Norge, is a country that occupies the north region of Europe. Norway occupies most of the western half of the scandinavian peninsula and is mostly made up of mountains. About half or more of Norway’s population live in the southern region. Norway is made up of an indented cost and around fifty thousand islands located off shore; these islands were carved by deep glacial fjords. The population of Norway is around five million, one hundred and thirty nine thousand (Joys). Norway is most known, or famous, for the Fjords, which are long, narrow, deep inlets of the sea between high cliffs, as in Norway and Iceland, typically formed by the submergence of a glaciated valley (dictionary). I choose this country because†¦show more content†¦Although supply is expected to grow, the demand has dropped from nine percent to about one percent and is expected to grow again to roughly three and a half percent for the entire globe. One country that also hel ps the supply growth for Norway is Chile; however, Norway expects a decline from the Chilean Atlantic salmon market in 2015. This is especially hard for Norway because the demand for Atlantic salmon is increasing in Europe. Just last year in 2014, European Fish markets purchased more than twelve percent from Norway than they did in the previous year, 2013. Economic freedom measures how the economy is in a country. High economic freedom means that there is lower poverty levels and lower unemployment rates, along with higher income and a better and cleaner quality of life (Econfreedom). Norway, a constitutional monarchy, has a 71.8 economic freedom score, which makes Norway the twenty-seventh freest country in the whole world. In a recent survey, Norway was rated fifth in Anti-Global watchdog Transparency International. The Norway government was rated as very clean meaning that there is little to no government corruption in the survey and a statement was made, We are a little behind the other Scandinavian countries, by Tor Dà ¸lvik, special advisor to Transparency International in Norway. Dà ¸lvik went on to say, We have had some

Battle Royal Essay Example For Students

Battle Royal Essay In Battle Royal, Ellison uses details of setting to create the mood of horror and repulsion. The horror begins when the narrator listens to a conversation between his father and grandfather, as his grandfather lay on his death bed. Son, after Im gone I want you to keep up the good fight. I never told you, but our life is a war and I have been a traitor all my born days, a spy in the enemys country ever since I give up my gun back in the Reconstruction. Live with your head in the lions mouth. I want you to overcome em with yeses, undermine em with grins, agree em to death and destruction, let em swoller you till they vomit or bust wide open 256. This statement had a great effect on the narrator, although he wasnt quite sure what it meant. It set a sense of fear in him. And whenever things went well for me I remember my grandfather and felt guilty and uncomfortable. It was as though I was carrying out his advice in spite of myself257. The narrator didnt plan on taking his grandfathers advice, and each time he found himself doing exactly that, it made him feel guilty. I felt guilt that in some way I was doing something that was really against the wishes of the white folks 257. This continued path of fear and hatred are carried out throughout the story. Ellison gives the reader the idea of hatred and horror when he sets the scene in the ballroom of the hotel. This is where the Battle Royal was to take place. The battle room was filled with smoke and in the center was the portable boxing ring that was to be used for the fight. On three sides of the ring, chairs were placed for the audience to observe the battle. These audience members were that of an upper-class status, bankers, lawyers, judges, doctors, fire chiefs, teachers, merchants. Even one of the more fashionable pastors 258. To top it off, they were all white as well. Each of them arrived in tuxedos wolfing down the buffet foods, drinking beer and whiskey and smoking black cigars 257. Ellison was taking us into the scene to show us the intimidation the narrator felt as he saw the audience members. It was extremely terrifying for the narrator. After the fighters were ordered to the ring, they were to be blindfolded. This gave the narrator a sense of fear and horror that he was not used to. He didnt like the darkness and the unknowing of what lied ahead. I felt a sudden fit of terror. I was unused to darkness. It was as though I had suddenly found myself in a dark room filled with poisonous cottonmouths 259. One of the audience members spoke to the narrator, See that boy over there?I want you to run across at the bell and give it to him right in the belly. If you dont get  him, Im going to get you 259. This was told to the other fighters as well. Not one person in the audience felt any sympathy for the boys. One yelled, I want to get that ginger-colored nigger. Tear him limb from limb 259. Others were kicking chairs and causing quite a commotion. This put an even greater horrifying feeling in the narrator. I wanted to see, to see more desperately than ever before 260. The blindfold was not allowing this. All it was doing was taking away what dignity he had. After the battle was complete, the portable ring was taken away and a small rug with coins, bills, and gold pieces was put in its place. Each of the fighters were told to sit around the rug as though they were of another species, perhaps from another planet. This set a sense of excitement in each of them, but at the same time they feared what was to come. Once the narrator heard the word Go 262 he went straight for the goods. I lunged for a yellow coin lying on the blue design of the carpet, touching it and sending a surprised shriek to join those rising around me. I tried frantically to remove my hand but could not let go. A hot, violent force tore through my body, shaking me like a wet rat. .ud077651c833e1ff226daa7dd8482e10d , .ud077651c833e1ff226daa7dd8482e10d .postImageUrl , .ud077651c833e1ff226daa7dd8482e10d .centered-text-area { min-height: 80px; position: relative; } .ud077651c833e1ff226daa7dd8482e10d , .ud077651c833e1ff226daa7dd8482e10d:hover , .ud077651c833e1ff226daa7dd8482e10d:visited , .ud077651c833e1ff226daa7dd8482e10d:active { border:0!important; } .ud077651c833e1ff226daa7dd8482e10d .clearfix:after { content: ""; display: table; clear: both; } .ud077651c833e1ff226daa7dd8482e10d { display: block; transition: background-color 250ms; webkit-transition: background-color 250ms; width: 100%; opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #95A5A6; } .ud077651c833e1ff226daa7dd8482e10d:active , .ud077651c833e1ff226daa7dd8482e10d:hover { opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #2C3E50; } .ud077651c833e1ff226daa7dd8482e10d .centered-text-area { width: 100%; position: relative ; } .ud077651c833e1ff226daa7dd8482e10d .ctaText { border-bottom: 0 solid #fff; color: #2980B9; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold; margin: 0; padding: 0; text-decoration: underline; } .ud077651c833e1ff226daa7dd8482e10d .postTitle { color: #FFFFFF; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 100%; } .ud077651c833e1ff226daa7dd8482e10d .ctaButton { background-color: #7F8C8D!important; color: #2980B9; border: none; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: none; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 26px; moz-border-radius: 3px; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-shadow: none; width: 80px; min-height: 80px; background: url(https://artscolumbia.org/wp-content/plugins/intelly-related-posts/assets/images/simple-arrow.png)no-repeat; position: absolute; right: 0; top: 0; } .ud077651c833e1ff226daa7dd8482e10d:hover .ctaButton { background-color: #34495E!important; } .ud077651c833e1ff226daa7dd8482e10d .centered-text { display: table; height: 80px; padding-left : 18px; top: 0; } .ud077651c833e1ff226daa7dd8482e10d .ud077651c833e1ff226daa7dd8482e10d-content { display: table-cell; margin: 0; padding: 0; padding-right: 108px; position: relative; vertical-align: middle; width: 100%; } .ud077651c833e1ff226daa7dd8482e10d:after { content: ""; display: block; clear: both; } READ: Dickinson and Roe's nineteenth century english prose - critical essayThe rug was electrified 262-3. This didnt stop the crowd from yelling obscenities at the boys. Pick it up, goddamnit, pick it up!Go on, get it 263. This made the boys feel as though they had to do what was said, they feared the crowd more than they feared the electricity of the rug. Ellison uses this scene to show the repulsion the audience felt toward the fighters and the fear the fighters had of them. Throughout this story, Battle Royal, Ellison creates a mood of horror and repulsion toward the black fighters, especially toward the narrator. From the first scene next to the grandfathers death bed, to the money on the rug. He takes his readers to the fight to see just whats taking place, not only in the mind of the narrator, but in the minds of the upper-class white folks as well. By describing to the readers the details of each scene, he gives them a chilling sense of what its like to be horrified and hated.