Monday, September 13, 2010
American Dream Theme
Can you think of any American Dream- themed books or movies that presented a character who achieved, and therefore struggled to achieve his or her American Dream.
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The perfect American Dream moving is the Pursuit of Happiness. It shows how the American Dream is not hard to attain. It displays how your going to have setbacks but if you work hard you can achieve the American Dream
ReplyDeleteWhile reading the above prompt, I was reminded of the film, Cinderella Man. This film follows the story of an ex-boxer, Jim Braddock, during the Great Depression. He strives to keep his family afloat, at one point even asking his friends to loan him money, and still keep his pride intact. He goes back into boxing, his real dream, and after struggling for a year and watching others around him fail, he finally made his way up and became famous. He was persistent, and wouldn't give up on trying to give his family a better life.
ReplyDeleteI watched it a long time ago, but the film still inspires me.
I agree with GRivera Jim Braddock did what he had t do to keep his family going. That was another good American Dream movie, he worked hard then he got his dream through boxing again. Great film!
ReplyDelete@RBOONE I totally agree besides the fact that in the movie he worked very hard over time to attain his goal of happiness. It didn't happen over night for him, he had to work as hard as he could. So I think that it is difficult to acquire your American Dream. Then again depending on what your American Dream is it could be more difficult than others to obtain...
ReplyDeleteIn the movie Freedom Writers, Mrs. Gruwell (the teacher) dream was to help the kids get a better education and them to do better in life. While she was trying to achieve her goal, her and her husband split up because she was paying to much attention to the kids instead of her personal life. That shows that even when she had a problem she didn’t give up her dream.
ReplyDeletei personally think that the movie Freedom Writers is a good example of the American Dream because the teacher is helping this class full of minority get through high school and be successful. They struggled a lot because no one else in the school believed in them because of their past mistakes but it only took that one teacher to believe in them and after they all tried and put their effort they all graduated and made it through high school. They proved to everyone that didn't believe in them that they were smart and intelligent. By proving everyone wrong they achieved the American Dream.
ReplyDeleteThe American Gangster
ReplyDeleteFrank Lucas was a middle age man who was tired of making average profits on heroin. He had a dream to be Americas most notorious drug king. Along with his family he starts to build his drug empire, by brutality murdering the other drug kings he keeps moving up in the food chain. Several years pass and he has bought mansion and all the material things he needs for his family to never work again. At this point nothing could get in his way and his dream was complete. People disrespected him because he was a new comer, he got rob when he had nothing.
@KCulver Freedom Writers is a good movie, but to me, doesn't show the American Dream. I think this movie shows more the theme of believing in your self and don't just give up. To me, it really doesn't show the American dream.
ReplyDeleteA movie that I believe shows the American Dream in a whole new way is Spanglish. It maybe doesn't represent it in the point of view of an American, but it shows it in the point of view of people for other countries. The American Dream doesn't only apply to American people. And even when this movie is a love/comedy movie, if you really press attention to it, you will figure out the really message of it.
I agree with Roger because the American dream seems simple but it is truly not. People travel to different places to make the best out of their lives. There is not a better example than the pursuit of Happiness because it shows a hard working American downs and ups. I agree with Roger because nothings makes a better plot than a man with no hope that in the end he finally pays his financial issues and makes it through the day.
ReplyDeleteWhen reading the above prompt, I thought that the prefect American Dream film or novel would probably be, Stand and Deliver. In this film you can see the teachers dedication to the students and see that he wants every single student in his class to be successful. In this film you see the struggles that each students and teacher have, but at the end you see that they each achieved they're dreams.
ReplyDeleteThe whole American Dream idea is to accomplish one's goal in life on a pursuit of happiness. A great movie example of the American Dream is Scarface. The entire movie is based on trying to make something out of nothing.Tony Montana just wants to make money and live a comfortable life, however, he struggles because he is a drug dealer.
ReplyDeleteEveryone involved in that business wants the same thing he does.
T. Sack, I concur entirely that "...depending on what your American Dream is it could be more difficult than others to obtain," in that we first have the innate freedom to dream and that there is no dream too far fetched for us because of the freedoms we have here in this awesome country, yet we each will struggle differently and depending on the person and the goal in mind, yes, it could be harder than others. Don't forget what Truslow Adams suggested: As a result though, no one should feel unsuccessful because what he or she has achieved may not compare to what another has. You only cheat yourself if you compare your struggles and achievements to others. I may be a simple high school teacher, but I love my life and have achieved my dreams. I do not feel unsuccessful because I am not a lawyer or wealthy scientist. That was not my goal in life.
ReplyDeletePamela. Freedom Writers is an example of a woman's American Dream if you focus on the teacher, Mrs. Gruwell. Then I agree. And yes, she did struggle and make sacrifices. AS Ben. Franklin stated, "No Pains, No Gains." But how much "pain" is worth the "gain" in this case?
ReplyDeleteSo Argenis (person who has not changed his display name yet!!) You are stating then that the American Dream can be one's illegal dream too? Hmm.
ReplyDeleteI know the movie Spanglish, (Fuentes) and I think I need more of an explanation now that I am considering the "point of view from other countries." What was it that both mothers really wanted most and did they achieve it?
ReplyDelete