Edgardo RodriguezProfessor ZavalaEnglish 1AJanuary 8, 2014The American DreamTraditionally, the American Dream has meant a chance at a better life in a new land. For generations, people have come here to America in hopes of having a successful, prosperous and meaningful life. People from across the world travel and risks their lives to be able live this dream. The American Dream represents all of those things to me as well, and more, as stated in the Declaration of Independence, "Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness", which are our rights, written by Thomas Jefferson in 1776.What is Life? We have the right to live our own life as we see fit whether we decide to live a morally valua ...view middle of the document...
Liberty allows us to act and speak freely in society, to have freedom. Norman Rockwell depicted this very well in his "Four Freedoms" paintings: the one with the rough-hewn workman speaking his piece at a town meeting (Freedom of Speech); the one with the old lady praying in the pew (Freedom of Worship); the one with the Thanksgiving dinner (Freedom from Want); and the one with the young parents looking in on their sleeping children (Freedom from Fear). (Rethinking the American Dream by David Kamp).As for the pursuit of happiness, it is your right to individual happiness and to work for its achievement. Personally, I will know when I achieve my happiness when I graduate college, become a Physician Assistant in Cardiology, and have a financially stability for my families future. Many people have different views on happiness. Some focus on the happiness of marriage and family. Others consider happiness an abundance of wealth and success. Whatever your interpretation of happiness is, pursue it in your own way ...
