The Individual Dream

            The American Dream. Something we’ve all heard of, maybe even something we’ve all discussed in a class or two. It may even be something we’ve thought of for ourselves. We’ve all imagined the future, whether we were eight years old and all we wanted to do was be a high school athlete, we were fifteen ½, counting down the days until we could drive ourselves places and get away from our over-bearing parents, or maybe it’s this year, and we are looking forward to graduating from college and getting our first “grown up” job. No matter the age, circumstance, or background, we’ve all imagined the future. Some of us have planned more ahead than others, but nevertheless, we all have our own version of the American Dream.

            Sandra Hanson and John White have theirs. In the introduction of their book The American Dream in the 21^st Century, Hanson and White made it clear that the American Dream is an ever-changing idea. Despite its constant alterations due to the world around us, it has endured centuries of Americans battling for their independence. The authors provide explanation for this, stating that “One reason the American Dream endures is that it has been closely intertwined with deeply held American values, especially freedom and equality of opportunity” (8). According to the authors, the endurance of the dream is because it is so closely knit with American ideals. The dream always runs along the lines of freedom and equality, no matter the changes it undergoes. But does it?

            Hanson and White overviewed the dream. They acknowledged that the dream changes over time. They did not consider that it is unique to everyone. Some people dream of growing up, being a stay-at-home parent, and taking care of their kids. Some people dream of owning their own business and traveling the world. Some people dream of working, having no children, and owning seven cats. Each person has a different perception of the future. Now each of these dreams can be achieved due to the freedom and equalities that we have in America, but they don’t necessarily directly relate to wanting freedom and equality. Sure, most people want to live in a country where everyone has equal rights and freedoms, but some don’t. The definition that the American Dream is ever-changing due to time periods is correct, however Hanson and White need to extend this definition to include that the American Dream is also everchanging with everyone.

            Take Katniss Everdeen from the Hunger Games for example. Her dream was not to die in a bloodbath of tributes. Harry Potter dreamt of defeating the darkest wizard of all time. Joey Tribbiani from the TV show Friends dreamt of a turkey sandwich while Monica wanted a clean house. Each of these fictional characters wanted something different. Their lifelong dreams were created with what was best for them in mind. My American Dream may be different than yours. My dream has been crafted based on my background, abilities, likes and dislikes, and hometown. So has yours. While we imagine the future for ourselves, our ideal future may be different than the person sitting next to us. Hanson and White’s definition of the everchanging dream is correct, but can also extend to relate to the everchanging person. The dream is altered with time because of the individuals in this country and their ideals. Nevertheless, an American Dream is a hope for the future that will endure lifetimes of Americans. This hope will guide us through our lives, just as it has done for the millions of Americans who have come before us.

Brittany Flaherty