The Two Sides of the American Dream
The American Dream is something so often referenced throughout America in all aspects of life. Television satirizes it, advertisements boast to have achieved it, and some people personify it. In its simplest form, the dream is this: work hard, achieve goals. This is something most Americans can agree on. When Walter R. Fisher in his speech “Reaffirmation and Subversion of the American Dream” defines the dream as two separate definitions, I’ll admit, I was a little thrown off at first. Fisher separates the American Dream into two dreams, or myths: materialistic and moralistic. The materialistic side represents the rags to riches story of the American Dream, the idea that if you begin as a lower-class American you can work your way up to anything. The moralistic side represents the brotherhood of the American Dream, that everyone is equal and should be ...