The American Dream is one of the most powerful and enduring myths in American culture. It is the belief that anyone, regardless of their background, can achieve prosperity and succ
Faglig kvalitetssikret av lærere og toppstudenter · Følger læreplanen (LK20) · Sist oppdatert 2026-07-16
Introduction
The American Dream is one of the most powerful and enduring myths in American culture. It is the belief that anyone, regardless of their background, can achieve prosperity and success through hard work, determination, and virtue. It is a story of upward mobility and limitless possibility. For centuries, this dream has been a central theme in American literature, but authors have not always celebrated it. In fact, many of America's greatest literary works have critically examined, questioned, and even dismantled this powerful idea, exploring the gap between the dream's promise and the harsh realities of American life.
Learning objectives
After reading this article, you should be able to:
- Define the traditional concept of the American Dream.
- Explain how early American literature often supported and promoted the dream.
- Analyse how modern and contemporary authors have challenged and critiqued the American Dream.
- Discuss F. Scott Fitzgerald's The Great Gatsby as a key critique of the dream.
- Understand how the American Dream has been experienced differently by marginalised groups.
The Early Dream: A Promise of a New Beginning
In its earliest forms, the American Dream was tied to the idea of the "New World." For the first European settlers, America was a place to escape the religious persecution and rigid class structures of the old world. It was a land of abundant resources where one could build a new life and achieve prosperity through hard work and piety. This vision was powerfully articulated in the writings of figures like Benjamin Franklin. In his Autobiography, Franklin presents himself as the model of a self-made man who rises from poverty to wealth and influence through industry, frugality, and self-improvement. This became the classic blueprint for the American success story. …