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124 American Dream Essay Topic Ideas & Examples

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The American Dream is a concept deeply rooted in the American ethos, representing the belief that anyone, regardless of their background or circumstances, can achieve success and prosperity through hard work and determination. This idea has been a source of inspiration for countless individuals and has shaped the nation's history and identity. If you are tasked with writing an essay on the American Dream, here are 124 topic ideas and examples to help you get started:

• The evolution of the American Dream throughout history.
• The impact of the American Dream on immigration patterns.
• The portrayal of the American Dream in literature and film.
• The role of education in achieving the American Dream.
• The American Dream and socioeconomic mobility.
• The American Dream in the context of racial and gender equality.
• The American Dream and the pursuit of happiness.
• The influence of the American Dream on consumer culture.
• The American Dream and the pursuit of homeownership.
• The American Dream and the pursuit of higher education.
• The American Dream and the pursuit of entrepreneurship.
• The American Dream and the pursuit of fame and fortune.
• The American Dream and the pursuit of a better life for future generations.
• The American Dream and the pursuit of freedom and democracy.
• The American Dream and the pursuit of equal opportunities.
• The American Dream and the pursuit of social justice.
• The American Dream and the pursuit of a healthy and fulfilling lifestyle.
• The American Dream and the pursuit of personal growth and self-improvement.
• The American Dream and the pursuit of financial security.
• The American Dream and the pursuit of a strong work ethic.
• The American Dream and the pursuit of individualism.
• The American Dream and the pursuit of technological advancement.
• The American Dream and the pursuit of a better environment.
• The American Dream and the pursuit of cultural diversity.
• The American Dream and the pursuit of religious freedom.
• The American Dream and the pursuit of political power.
• The American Dream and the pursuit of social mobility.
• The American Dream and the pursuit of community engagement.
• The American Dream and the pursuit of personal happiness.
• The American Dream and the pursuit of a balanced lifestyle.
• The American Dream and the pursuit of creativity and innovation.
• The American Dream and the pursuit of equal rights and opportunities for all.
• The American Dream and the pursuit of a strong family unit.
• The American Dream and the pursuit of volunteerism and philanthropy.
• The American Dream and the pursuit of a fair and just society.
• The American Dream and the pursuit of a strong healthcare system.
• The American Dream and the pursuit of a secure retirement.
• The American Dream and the pursuit of a sustainable future.
• The American Dream and the pursuit of personal freedom and liberty.
• The American Dream and the pursuit of a strong national identity.
• The American Dream and the pursuit of technological innovation.
• The American Dream and the pursuit of social equality.
• The American Dream and the pursuit of a strong economy.
• The American Dream and the pursuit of a diverse and inclusive society.
• The American Dream and the pursuit of a strong education system.
• The American Dream and the pursuit of a strong justice system.
• The American Dream and the pursuit of a strong military.
• The American Dream and the pursuit of a strong infrastructure.
• The American Dream and the pursuit of a strong environmental policy.
• The American Dream and the pursuit of a strong social safety net.
• The American Dream and the pursuit of a strong democracy.
• The American Dream and the pursuit of a strong international presence.
• The American Dream and the pursuit of a strong cultural identity.
• The American Dream and the pursuit of a strong work-life balance.
• The American Dream and the pursuit of a strong sense of community.
• The American Dream and the pursuit of a strong national pride.
• The American Dream and the pursuit of a strong sense of belonging.
• The American Dream and the pursuit of a strong sense of purpose.
• The American Dream and the pursuit of a strong sense of justice.
• The American Dream and the pursuit of a strong sense of equality.
• The American Dream and the pursuit of a strong sense of opportunity.
• The American Dream and the pursuit of a strong sense of achievement.
• The American Dream and the pursuit of a strong sense of ambition.
• The American Dream and the pursuit of a strong sense of success.
• The American Dream and the pursuit of a strong sense of fulfillment.
• The American Dream and the pursuit of a strong sense of contentment.
• The American Dream and the pursuit of a strong sense of peace.
• The American Dream and the pursuit of a strong sense of optimism.
• The American Dream and the pursuit of a strong sense of resilience.
• The American Dream and the pursuit of a strong sense of determination.
• The American Dream and the pursuit of a strong sense of perseverance.
• The American Dream and the pursuit of a strong sense of endurance.
• The American Dream and the pursuit of a strong sense of hope.
• The American Dream and the pursuit of a strong sense of courage.
• The American Dream and the pursuit of a strong sense of empathy.
• The American Dream and the pursuit of a strong sense of compassion.
• The American Dream and the pursuit of a strong sense of integrity.
• The American Dream and the pursuit of a strong sense of honesty.
• The American Dream and the pursuit of a strong sense of trust.
• The American Dream and the pursuit of a strong sense of responsibility.
• The American Dream and the pursuit of a strong sense of accountability.
• The American Dream and the pursuit of a strong sense of transparency.
• The American Dream and the pursuit of a strong sense of fairness.
• The American Dream and the pursuit of a strong sense of freedom.
• The American Dream and the pursuit of a strong sense of democracy.

These topic ideas and examples should give you a starting point for your essay on the American Dream. Remember to use critical thinking, research, and personal insights to develop a compelling and thought-provoking piece that explores the complexities and nuances of this enduring concept.

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113 American Dream Essay Topics

🏆 best american dream essay titles, ✍️ american dream essay topics for college, 🎓 interesting american dream topics for research papers, 💡 simple american dream titles for essays, ❓ research questions about the american dream, ✨ good american dream argumentative essay topics.

• Gran Torino Essay – Clint Eastwood’s Film Analysis
• The American Dream Theme in Ginsberg’s “America”
• American Dream vs. Reality Throughout History
• The Concept of American Dream in Plays
• Comparing American Dream Collapsing and the Fading American Dreams
• “Paper Moon” as a Symbol of the American Dream
• “Watchmen” Film in Relation to the American Dream
• The Downside of the American Dream The downside of the American dream is seen from the perspective of immigrants. America is the desired country for many people, but when they come, they face certain problems.
• American Dream as a Symbol of Hopelessness in Gothic Fiction This paper aims to provide evidence that the characters of Lutie Johnson and Robin both failed to fulfill the American Dream.
• The Challenge of the American Dream in Cinematography “Midnight Cowboy” and “McCabe & Mrs. Miller” are similar in challenging the idea of success presented in the conventional context of the American Dream.
• Stratification and Social Mobility and its Impact on the American Dream According to Kerbo, social stratification includes a ranking of people in a society. It is more concerned with systematic inequalities other than individualistic differences.
• The American Dream: Values and Hopes The American Dream is a set of national values that can be traced back to 1620 when the Plymouth Colony was established.
• American Dream, Religions and Sikhism The USA represent a unique cultural phenomenon. On the one hand, it is a country of many cultures, nationalities, and religions co-existing in the same area.
• The American Dream as a Way of Crossing the Frame of Consciousness The American Dream is a concept that describes the ideal life to which the population of the United States aspired in the 30s and 40s.
• Failure of American Dream: “The Great Gatsby” by Fitzgerald Review Despite the seeming glamor and wealth, the character of Great Gatsby by Fitzgerald is deeply and inherently tragic.
• The Problems of American Dream and Race For a long time, many people have been coming to the United States to realize their goals. The cultural and social phenomenon of the American dream was formed.
• Changing the American Dream of Immigrants and African Americans The position of African Americans and other immigrants was not the same throughout US history, denoting that they had different dreams during various periods.
• American Dreams of Successful Life Historically Americans have been seeking to achieve the American dream of fame, success and immense wealth through changes and much effort.
• Cruel Optimism: Karl Marx’s Ideas and the American Dream The work provides a summary and an analysis of the work of Berlant L. “Cruel optimism: On Marx, loss and the senses” in regard to Karl Marx’s ideas and the American Dream.
• American Dream and Poverty in the United States The concept of the American dream and its component has changed over the years and remains different for different people.
• Homeownership as the American Dream The paper identifies the current and previous asking prices, the seller’s investment yield, down payment, and other necessary costs.
• Ideals of the American Dream Even though working may not be fun all the time, there is still a reasonable number of opportunities provided: financial independence and a clearer perspective on one’s future.
• Crumbling American Dream: The Thrive of Capitalism The notion of the American dream has now become a universal matter. The thrive of capitalism has made the American dream a desirable state of things unachievable in the near future.
• The Concept of the American Dream The purpose of this paper is to explore the concept of the American Dream and discuss how Americans of European descent utilized the land and labor of others to realize it.
• The American Dream and Social Disorganization American Dream is the belief that everyone in the state can attain success due to the uniqueness of the U.S society and environment.
• Recession and the American Dream for Education This paper analyses the ill effects of the recent recession which has occurred and the terrible consequence which families, students, and children in America are currently facing.
• Fleeing to U.S., the American Dream for Cubans From time immemorial Cubans have been moving to America in search for greener pastures. This eventually worked for the formation of American-Cuban connections around the United States.
• Youthful View of the American Dream During Uncertain Economic Times The American Dream for youth is now all about helping the country reclaim it’s rightful place of leadership in the world.
• American Dream in the XXI Century The understanding of the concept of the American dream today and several decades or even centuries ago is quite different.
• Conception of “The American Dream” in US “The American Dream” means living a better life. Americans have different opinions on describing this better life. Though some may express this issue as an illusion, it can become real.
• The American Dream: Civil Rights and Opportunities Civil rights have much to do with citizens having an opportunity to achieve the American dream. Discrimination is a massive obstacle that prevents the country from economic growth.
• Social Studies: The American Dream’s Concept The American dream focuses on making life better for its citizens and immigrants. It entails the aggressiveness instilled in the residents of America.
• Concepts of American Dreams Historically Americans have been seeking to achieve the American dream of fame, success and immense wealth through changes and much effort.
• Wealth and the American Dream in the Great Gatsby
• Choosing the Right Path Toward the American Dream
• American Liberalism and the Democratic Dream: Transcending the American Dream
• How Does Gatsby Represent the American Dream?
• Adam Smith’s American Dream
• Democracy and the American Dream
• Work Ethic and Ethical Work: Distortions in the American Dream
• Women and the American Dream
• Black Identity and the American Dream
• Depression and the American Dream
• Ben Franklin and the Definition of the American Dream
• How Are Millennials Redefining the American Dream?
• Disillusionment and the American Dream
• Debunking the American Dream
• Factors Influencing the American Dream
• American Tragedy and the Futility of the American Dream
• Westward Expansion and the American Dream
• Capitalism, Drug Abuse, and the American Dream
• British Colonization and the American Dream
• Exploring the American Dream in Great Gatsby and Grapes of Wrath
• Asian Americans and the American Dream
• Does Income Inequality Affect the American Dream Of Upward?
• American Dream and Ben Franklin
• Corporate Scandals: How Greed Consumed The American Dream
• Inequality and the American Dream
• How Has the American Dream Changed Over Time?
• African Americans Must Work to Achieve the American Dream
• American Dream America Immigrants British
• Albee and Twain: Demystifying an American Dream
• Deconstructing the American Dream
• American Dream: Accessibility vs. Achievability
• Crime and the American Dream With Regards to Sociology
• African Americans and the American Dream
• Dramatizing the American Dream
• Commercialism Deteriorates the American Dream
• American Exceptionalism and the American Dream
• How Long Has the American Dream Been Around?
• Understanding the Real Meaning of the American Dream
• American Dream Delayed: Shifting Determinants of Homeownership
• All Men and Women Have the Right to the American Dream
• How Social Stratification Dictates the American Dream, It Is?
• Abraham Lincoln and the American Dream
• Willy Loman’s Idealistic American Dream
• Can Everyone Achieve the American Dream?
• How Can Money Affect the American Dream?
• What Is the True Cost of the American Dream?
• How Does Poverty Affect the American Dream?
• Is the American Dream More About Money or Happiness?
• What Are the Advantages and Disadvantages of the American Dream?
• How Does the American Dream Reinforce Socioeconomic Barriers?
• Do You Need Money for the American Dream?
• Was Walt Disney the Prisoner of the American Dream?
• How Does Social Class Affect the American Dream?
• What Is at the Heart of the American Dream?
• Is the American Dream Still Alive Today?
• What Is Success in the American Dream?
• Does the Growing Economic Threat to Individuals and the American Dream?
• How Expensive Is the American Dream?
• What Was the First American Dream and What Was the Result?
• Is the American Dream a Fallacy?
• Who Does the American Dream Exclude?
• How Does the Rising Cost of Education Affect the American Dream?
• Why Is the American Dream Harder Today?
• How Realistic Is the American Dream?
• What Is the Biggest Obstacle to Reaching the American Dream?
• Is the American Dream Real or Purely Imaginary?
• How Does Great Gatsby Represent the American Dream?
• Has Gatsby Achieved the American Dream?
• Keeping the Dream Alive: Perpetuating the American Dream in Changing Times
• Reimagining the American Dream: Cultural Pluralism and Identity
• The American Dream and Economic Inequality: Bridge or Divide?
• The Dream Project: Assessing the Impact of Public Policies on Achieving the American Dream
• Healthcare Accessibility and the American Dream: Health vs. Wealth
• The Illusion of Meritocracy: Challenging the Attainability of the Dream
• Is the American Dream Still Achievable?
• Consumerism and the American Dream
• The Shifting Landscape of the American Dream in the 21st Century
• Environmental Sustainability and the Future of the American Dream
• Addressing the Counterclaim: Crafting a Roadmap to Ensure Equality in Dream Attainment
• Perspectives on the American Dream Across Age Groups and Generation Gap

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StudyCorgi. (2022, January 16). 113 American Dream Essay Topics. https://studycorgi.com/ideas/american-dream-essay-topics/

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StudyCorgi . "113 American Dream Essay Topics." January 16, 2022. https://studycorgi.com/ideas/american-dream-essay-topics/.

StudyCorgi . 2022. "113 American Dream Essay Topics." January 16, 2022. https://studycorgi.com/ideas/american-dream-essay-topics/.

These essay examples and topics on American Dream were carefully selected by the StudyCorgi editorial team. They meet our highest standards in terms of grammar, punctuation, style, and fact accuracy. Please ensure you properly reference the materials if you’re using them to write your assignment.

This essay topic collection was updated on December 26, 2023 .

Essays About The American Dream: 7 Interesting Topics to Discuss

American Dream has main themes: hard work and equal opportunity create a better life over time. Discover essays about the American dream topics in this article.

The concept of the American dream includes many ideas, including those outlined in the Declaration of Independence: life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. Professional writers, high school students, and many people have worked to outline the meaning of the American dream in essays and research papers.

Many United States citizens operate under the assumption that working hard can elevate their financial and social status. Many people in American society grapple with whether the idea of the American dream is an attainable reality for those born into less-fortunate circumstances. While some argue that social mobility—meaning changes in social class based on effort and hard work—are at the core of the American dream, others argue that those who are born into a preferable situation may have an easier time achieving the dream, disputing the notion of an equal playing field.

Here, we’ll discuss 7 interesting essay topics on the American Dream that you can use in your next essay.

For help with your essays, check out our round-up of the best essay checkers

1. Is The American Dream Still Alive?

2. the american dream is still alive: these people are proof, 3. the american dream defined, 4. the american dream in literature, 5. what does the american dream look like for immigrants, 6. how has the american dream changed over time, the final word on essays about the american dream, what literary works discuss the american dream, what should be considered when writing an essay on the american dream’s existence.

A topic of much debate, it can be tough to figure out whether the American Dream continues to exist as it did half a century ago. Many people question whether the American Dream is a reality for that outside of the American family depicted in 1950s television and print ads—largely white, upper-middle-class families.

Suppose you decide to write about whether the American Dream still exists. In that case, you’ll want to consider the inflation of the cost of a college education that has made it impossible for many students to work and pay their way through college, resulting in debt that feels impossible upon graduation. Rather than a fresh start in life, many graduates face low-paying jobs that make it difficult to handle daily living costs while also paying back high-interest student loans.

As you write about why the American Dream is currently a struggle for many, include success stories that show how the American Dream is still being achieved by many. You may want to touch on how the traditional idea of the American dream is changing with time. You can do this by highlighting studies that explain how successful Americans today feel regarding the American Dream and how the tenants of a successful life are changing for many people. 

Want to show your audience that the American Dream is still alive and well? Highlighting the stories of people who have achieved success in their lives can be a great way to convey proof of the existence of the American Dream to others. 

As you write your essay, it’s important to share how the definition of the American dream has changed over time. Today, many people feel that the American dream has more to do with a sense of belonging and community than making a certain amount of money or living in a certain type of home. Research shows that across the United States of America, people generally shared a positive feeling about the possibility of achieving the American dream. Most felt that they either had achieved the dream or were on their way to achieving it.

As you write your essay on proof of the existence of the American Dream, be sure to highlight people from different backgrounds, sharing the different challenges they’ve faced throughout their lives. You’ll want to show how Americans achieve success despite challenges and different starting points and how they’ve enjoyed their success (despite having different definitions of what it means to achieve the American Dream).

In years past, the definition of the American Dream was clear: rising above circumstances, developing a successful financial portfolio, owning a home, and having kids in a successful marriage. Today, however, many people define the American Dream differently. In an essay on defining the American dream, it’s important to consider viewpoints from different cultures and how a person’s socioeconomic starting point affects their view of what it means to have “made it” in America. 

When defining the American Dream, you may want to touch on how social and economic issues in America have made the American Dream a more realistic possibility for some groups than others. Social programs, discrimination, and civil rights issues have made it tougher for some minority groups to climb above the standing they were born into, making it harder to achieve financial stability and other aspects of the American dream.

In your essay about defining the American Dream, you may also want to touch on the importance of being able to take risks. This can be easier for people whose parents and other relatives can provide a safety net. People who are dependent on their savings to support new business ventures may find it harder to take risks, making it more difficult to achieve the American dream. 

When defining the American Dream, be sure to touch on how the Dream can be different for different people and how one person’s financial stability might not be the same as someone else’s. If possible, include anecdotal quotes and stories to help your reader connect to the way you’re defining the American Dream.

Many pieces of classic American literature work to show what the American Dream means to various groups of people. In writing an essay about the American Dream in literature, you’ll want to discuss several different classic works, including The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald, The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck, The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath, and Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas by Hunter S. Thompson. 

When discussing the theme of the American Dream in literature, there are a few different approaches that you can take to show your readers how the American Dream has changed in novels over time. You may want to work through a timeline showing how the American Dream has changed or talk about how real-life social and economic issues have been reflected in the way that authors discuss the American Dream. 

When writing about the American Dream, you may also want to touch on how each author’s social standing affected their view of the American Dream and whether the achievement of the Dream was feasible at the time. Authors born into difficult circumstances may have a different view of the American Dream than authors born into a more affluent lifestyle. 

Growing student debt, a lack of high-paying jobs, and increasing living costs have made it difficult for people to keep their faith in the American dream. Economic research shows that many first- and second-generation Americans experience economic mobility upward in immigrant families, but this mobility eventually stalls in future generations. According to some researchers, t’s possible that first- and second-generation immigrants feel more of a push to be a success story in an attempt to erase the negative connotations that some American citizens have with the word “immigrant.”

People who are new to the United States face different challenges than people who have lived in the country for their entire lives. Writing an essay about how the American Dream is different for people born in other countries can enlighten many of your readers about how the Dream is different for people in different circumstances.

The American Dream has not remained stagnant over the years, and what people once believed to be the American Dream is something that many Americans no longer want. Writing an essay about how the American dream has changed over time can be an interesting way to explore how the ideals of America have changed over the years. 

The wealth gap has changed over time in the United States, making it increasingly difficult for people born into a lower socioeconomic status to build their wealth and achieve the American dream. Research shows that more than 40% of people born into the lowest part of the income ladder in the United States stay there as adults. Talking about how economic challenges in the United States have made it difficult for many people to go through college or start businesses can be a jumping-off point to discussing changes in the American Dream. 

For many people, the ideals associated with the American dream—marriage, family, kids, a job that provides financial stability—are no longer as desirable. Some people don’t desire to get married, and it’s more acceptable in society to stay single. Some people have no desire to have kids, and some people prefer to work in the gig economy rather than going to a 9-5 job every day. Discussing these changes in American society and how they relate to changes in the American Dream can help your reader see how the Dream has changed over time.

In the eyes of many, the American dream is often associated with homeownership. Skyrocketing mortgage rates in the U.S. make it hard for many people to afford a home, relegating them to rent or living with family members. If you decide to talk about the difficulties of becoming a homeowner in today’s economy, do your research on the latest mortgage news. Many people who once qualified for mortgages struggle to get approved due to skyrocketing interest rates. Including recent financial news can help help your readers connect recent events with the reality of the American Dream.

Opinions on the American dream differ, and when writing about the topic, it’s important to keep your audience in mind. While some people have experienced at least part of the American dream, others have struggled despite hard work due to an unequal playing field from the start.

FAQs About Essays About The American Dream

The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald and Death of a Salesman by Arthur Miller is well-known for their takes on the American dream.

When writing a persuasive or argumentive essay on the American dream, it’s important to consider social mobility, interest rates, homeownership rates, the cost of education, and other factors that contribute to creating a lucrative financial life.

If you’re still stuck, check out our general resource of essay writing topics .

Amanda has an M.S.Ed degree from the University of Pennsylvania in School and Mental Health Counseling and is a National Academy of Sports Medicine Certified Personal Trainer. She has experience writing magazine articles, newspaper articles, SEO-friendly web copy, and blog posts.

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American Dream Essay: Structure, Outline, Sample, and Topics

11 December 2023

last updated

The American Dream is a recurring controversial topic in modern society. Individuals have developed different arguments to deconstruct what is the American Dream essay in the context of day-to-day life. In the academic setting, learners that engage in this discourse hold the weight of the proper expression of their arguments. A structured essay is analyzed with a focus on the introduction, main body, and conclusion of the five-paragraph essay. The process of topic selection, outline development, and structured writing is exemplified using an essay titled, “The Promise of the American Dream.” Recommendations for narrow scoped topics for exploring the concept are provided as a starting point for students.

In contemporary discourse, there is much controversy over the meaning of the American Dream. Basically, people hold different positions on multiple aspects of the concept in their essays and research papers. During the schooling years, it is important to acquire knowledge. Also, young minds benefit significantly from reflecting on the influence of their recently acquired knowledge on their position regarding controversial topics. Upon completing the reflection essay process, the expression of one’s newly defined position is the next step. An essay on the American Dream is presented to introduce the readers to the basic principles behind the concept. Moreover, the structure of a five-paragraph essay is explored with the support of an outline and a sample essay.

What Is the American Dream Essay?

1. general description.

The American Dream is a widely known concept, but there is no definition that can be identified as a correct, comprehensive, and precise. Basically, freedom and opportunity are the most critical aspects of the essay on the American Dream. In this case, freedoms are essential to the idea of achieving goals. It because these freedoms provide an individual with the space to live freely without any oppression from their peers or the government. Moreover, equal access to opportunity allows each individual to pursue happiness and prosperity regardless of the social class, gender, race, and other social or cultural factors that stratify society. Therefore, this concept may be defined as a set of beliefs that explain the experience of life that many people are expected to have in an ideal situation, where their freedoms are protected, and no opportunity barriers exist.

2. Unique Experiences

People are born into families that provide them with a unique starting point for their pursuit of desired goals. For example, the financial capability, level of education, and cultural beliefs of an individual’s parents define the foundation on which a person begins to achieve desired goals. As a result, all people may be pursuing the same ideas when writing essays. In turn, it is not a level playing field because some individuals may find themselves in better circumstances than others. Furthermore, it is differentiated at a personal level because individuals with relatively similar starting points may have distinct outcomes. Based on this perspective, it is highly unlikely that any two individuals can attest to going through identical experiences when writing an essay.

3. Belief Systems

Besides the circumstances of the starting points, an individual’s belief system plays a significant role in their strategy of achieving desired goals. For instance, happiness and prosperity are broad terms that have contrasting meanings for individuals because there is no standardized scale for measuring happiness or prosperity. Moreover, one person may consider owning a car and house to be a sign of prosperity. In contrast, another person may believe that providing his or her children with a college education to be prosperity. Hence, these beliefs are imposed on desires goals, which results in variations in the meaning of the concept for each individual to be covered in an essay. In turn, desires goals affected to a large extent by an individual’s beliefs regarding the things that make them happy or prosperous.

Topic Selection for American Dream Essays

1. challenges of topic selection.

The American Dream is a concept that people can examine from a variety of perspectives, which makes the selection of an essay topic for an American Dream paper quite challenging. During the selection of an essay topic, it is essential to remember that no point of view is more superior or correct than another. In this case, the weight of the claim proposed in the American Dream argumentative essay is dependent on the writer’s ability to explain a position logically and convincingly. Moreover, in the presentation of the argument in the essay, it is important to adequately consider competing counterarguments that may arise in the audience’s minds when writing essays. In turn, the failure to evaluate counterarguments critically may undercut the authority of the author, especially when writing for an academic audience.

2. Solution

Equally important, writers should select a topic that has a link with their personal experiences. For instance, an argument concerning the essay about the American Dream gains a sense of authenticity when writers discuss an issue that resonates with their beliefs. It is essential because some passion is embedded in the essay. In this case, as a starting point for identifying the essay topic, writers may identify a “main concept” under review, for example, equal opportunity. Based on the main concept, writers can think through their life experiences and single out events that they consider invaluable in the position taken concerning the main concept (see the example of a simple brainstorming template). Finally, writers should settle on the essay topic that is specific and can be argued out entirely within the constraints of the essay requirements.

3. Example of a Simple Brainstorming Template

• State the main concept.
• How has it affected you?
• How has it affected other people in your life?
• Do you think the events mentioned above are in line with the American Dream?
• Specify the issue.
• Describe the ideal situation.
• Can the situation be improved?

American Dream Essay Outline

Introduction (approximately 10% of the word count).

• It is the first statement in the introductory paragraph.
• The statement should capture the attention of the reader, for example, a unique fact about the topic.

2. Overview of the Topic

• It comprises of two or more sentences.
• The statements should contain adequate detail for the reader to understand the thesis statement.

3. Thesis Statement

• It is a single statement that appears at the end of the introductory paragraph.
• The statement provides an answer to the essay prompt in the form of a single argument, which summarises the main evidence or rationale presented in the main body.

Main Body (Approximately 80% of the Word Count)

The creation of paragraphs in this section is based on the separation of ideas to ensure that each paragraph presents one original idea. In this case, each paragraph in this section must follow the sandwich rule, which dictates the organization of paragraph elements:

• Topic sentence – States the main idea for that paragraph.
• Evidence – Provides the information that is crucial to the paragraph’s idea.
• Evaluation of evidence – Explains the relevance of the evidence and offers an interpretation of the evidence.
• Transition statement – Summarises the paragraph and links it to the thesis statement or the next paragraph.

Conclusion (Approximately 10% of the Word Count)

1. Restating the Main Argument

• The first statement in the paragraph should repeat the main argument presented in the thesis statement.
• It should not contain the same words as the thesis statement, but keywords can be reused.
• Provide a detailed overview of the main points of the essay logically.
• Demonstrate the value of the main points in answering the essay prompt.

Five-Paragraph American Dream Essay Outline Sample

Introduction/Paragraph 1

Hook: Besides the differences in the American populations, they are similar because they pursue the same dream.

Overview of the topic: Outline some of the differences in the American population.

Thesis statement: Creating equal opportunities allows individuals to achieve upward mobility.

Paragraph 2 :

Topic sentence: Breaking down social mobility and its quantification.

Evidence: Definition and measures of social mobility.

Evaluation of evidence: Illustrate how upward social mobility is achieved while referring to the measures.

Transition statement: Introduces the need for self-improvement for social mobility to occur.

Paragraph 3 :

Topic sentence: Opportunity is a requirement for social mobility.

Evidence: The role of education in equipping an individual to utilize opportunities.

Evaluation of evidence: Demonstrate the link between education, access to jobs, and the ability to improve an individual’s quality of life.

Transition statement: Recognise that there are socially constructed limitations on the accessibility of opportunities.

Paragraph 4 :

Topic sentence: Discriminative practices affect an individual’s access to opportunities for social mobility.

Evidence: Identify some forms of discrimination and explain the occurrence of discriminative practices.

Evaluation of evidence: Describe the value of government and organization’s role in managing discriminative practices using policies that uphold equality.

Transition statement: Stress the centrality of equality in the argument for opportunity access and upward mobility.

Conclusion/Paragraph 5 :

Restating the main argument: Emphasise the importance of equality in securing opportunities for upward mobility and the attainment of the American Dream.

Summary: Allude to the measures of social mobility, the interaction between discriminative practices and opportunities, and the relief provided by policies on equality.

Sample of Five-Paragraph American Dream Essay

Topic: The Promise of the American Dream

Introduction

Although we are different, we share a single dream. In this case, the American population is composed of people of different genders, races, education levels, religions, and disability statuses. Nonetheless, each American is entitled to the opportunity to make themselves better regardless of the underlying differences. Thus, the American Dream thesis statement is that it is founded on the promise of equal opportunity for upward social mobility.

Social Mobility

Social mobility is a multidimensional concept. It can be assessed using a variety of measures that attempt to quantify the change occurring in an individual’s life. For example, the ability of an individual to move along the social hierarchy may be described as social mobility. In turn, there are different measures of social mobility. However, each one is focused on a specific aspect of average Americans’ livelihood:

• health status – the susceptibility of an individual to diseases,
• education – an individual’s highest level of education,
• homeownership – the capability of an individual to acquire permanent housing.

Upward social mobility implies that an individual can improve their position in the social hierarchy through improving their performance on any of the measures of social mobility. Therefore, upward social mobility is the desired outcome of a successful pursuit of desired goals because it suggests some form of self-improvement.

Opportunity

The opportunity for upward mobility is vital in pursuing the desired goals. Basically, access to opportunity is facilitated by some factors, for example, access to quality education. In this case, an individual that has attended school and acquired the necessary skills has a higher likelihood of securing a job. If individuals acquire jobs, it becomes easier to secure health insurance, buy homes, and improve the quality of life for their families. Moreover, individuals can only attain what they want if they are provided access to basic education, which prepares them to maximize any opportunities. However, it is difficult for an average individual to pursue opportunities without the government’s efforts to increase the ease of access to basic needs.

Equality Policies

Many barriers affect an average American’s ability to access positive opportunities, and it manifests in the form of discriminative practices in society. In this case, discrimination in society may occur based on a variety of issues, for example, gender, disability, religion, and race. Basically, personal biases create ideological differences regarding superiority in the social hierarchy. It pushes individuals to deny others access to opportunities and the necessary skills to exploit those opportunities. Moreover, state and organizational policies against discrimination are created and enforced to maintain equality among Americans. These laws serve to eliminate the barriers that exist between hardworking people and the American Dream. Consequently, equality among individuals ensures that all individuals can take advantage of opportunities regardless of their gender, disability status, religion, race, and other social differences that tend to create boundaries between social groups.

Equality is crucial in the pursuit of the American Dream because it provides each individual with the opportunity to move up the social hierarchy. In this case, people can access upward social mobility by using various measures, which quantify an individual’s quality of life. Moreover, opportunities may exist, but individuals need to be assisted in developing themselves to a level where they can utilize the available opportunities. Hence, equality policies are useful in curtailing the power of discriminative practices in reinforcing social mobility barriers.

American Dream Essay Topics

• The origin of the American Dream.
• Intergenerational differences in the definition of the American Dream.
• The American Dream in contemporary music.
• Does society still believe in the American Dream?
• Defining the American Dream through the racial lens.
• Individualism and the American Dream.
• The influence of unrestricted surveillance on the American Dream.
• Health care policies and the American Dream.
• The impacts of globalization on the American Dream.
• The rise of right-wing populism and the future of the American Dream.

Summing up on the American Dream Essay

The capacity of a person to participate in the discourse on the controversial essay topic nurtured through the continuous practice of structured essay writing. Basically, the concept may be approached from a different perspective, depending on the individual’s beliefs and personal experiences. Nonetheless, the written presentation of these points of view is achieved through the use of structured essays. The five-paragraph American Dream essay examined in this paper is a useful tool for the expression of any argument on the topic.

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The American Dream

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The American Dream: A Short History of an Idea that Shaped a Nation

A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.

Chapter Summaries & Analyses

Introduction-Chapter 1

Chapter 6-Conclusion

Key Figures

Index of Terms

Important Quotes

Essay Topics

What should the Puritans’ legacy be for American history and the American Dream? Do you agree with the author’s statement that “you’ll never really understand what it means to be an American of any creed, color, or gender if you don’t try to imagine the shape of [the Puritan] dream—and what happened when they tried to realize it” (13)? Would all social groups in the US understand the Puritan dream the same way?

To what extent is the American Dream accessible only to Americans? In what ways would the concept of the American Dream make sense (or not make sense) for people raised outside the US? In which countries (if any) would the Dream make more sense to people today—or be easier to achieve?

Cullen discusses three groups that were largely excluded from pursing the American Dream for much of history: First Nations people, slaves, and women. What obstacles to pursuing and achieving any aspect of the American Dream still exist today for historically oppressed groups in the US? If structural patterns of injustice hinder certain groups from achieving the American Dream, does this discredit the Dream? Why or why not?

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A Black Lives Matter Reading List

American civil war, american revolution, black history month reads, books on justice & injustice, books on u.s. history, civil rights & jim crow, colonial america, colonialism & postcolonialism, colonialism unit, contemporary books on social justice, immigrants & refugees, nation & nationalism, politics & government.

Theme of the American Dream in Literature: Guide & Topics

The American Dream theme encompasses crucial values, such as freedom, democracy, equal rights, and personal happiness. The concept’s definition varies from person to person. Yet, books by American authors can help us grasp  it better. Many agree that American literature is so distinct from English literature because the concept of the American Dream influences it heavily.  

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In this article, our custom writing team will focus on the theme of the American Dream in literature. We will give examples of books that discuss the concept and suggest some essay topics. Read the full article to learn more!

• 🗽 Definition & History
• 📚 The Theme in Literature
• 📝 Essay Topics

🔍 References

🗽 the american dream theme & its history.

We all, as human beings, have the desire to fulfill our dreams. To achieve them, we put forth the effort. The idea behind the phrase “hard work pays off” is closely related to the American Dream. Let’s look at the term’s history and how its meaning evolved.

The term was coined back in 1931 by James Truslow Adams. He defines the American Dream as “the pursuit of a happier and a better life for all citizens of every rank.” In his book Epic of America , he also mentions that the American Dream is “a dream of a land where life should be better and richer and fuller for everyone, with opportunity for each according to ability or achievement.”

The roots of the idea behind the American Dream can be traced back to Colonial Period. First settlers and pilgrims from England saw the States as a promised land of opportunities. They wanted to build a new nation on those lands, free from the old order.

The 1920s or the Jazz Age is the time when the American Dream was at its peak. It is the time of the Harlem Renaissance, economic growth, and technological progress. It is also the time when the idea of the American Dream becomes “corrupted.” In other words, the concept focused on wealth and materialism rather than the ideas of freedom and equality. One of the reasons for that was increased consumerism in American society.

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Core American Values & The American Dream

The American Dream played a crucial role in constructing the nation. Since America is a country formed through immigration, people needed something that could unify them.

Unlike other countries, the early colonies featured a mix of nationalities with different histories and cultures. However, people who came to America all shared the hope to find opportunities and achieve independence. The ideas that laid out the basis for constructing the American nation can be referred to as the American Dream.

Although James Adams first used the term in Epic of America , the idea behind the American Dream goes back to the 4th of July, 1776. It is the day The Declaration of Independence was signed. The declaration reflects the values associated with the American Dream.

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness. The Declaration of Independence

Thomas Jefferson, one of the declaration’s authors, explicitly emphasizes the pursuit of happiness. Happiness is the key to everything that the Dream encompasses.

The ideas of Benjamin Franklin have also influenced the formation of the American Dream. In his Autobiography , he tells a story of a man who came from nothing and achieved success through hard work.

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Franklin defines himself as an example of an ideal American citizen. He emphasizes that his success can be imitated by any American who strives for success and works hard. Franklin’s life became an example of self-improvement. He believed that if people follow his model, America can become a prosperous country with self-aware citizens.

The American Dream in Literature

From the very beginning, the theme of identity has been prominent in American literature. The US was a land of promise, a New World where everyone dreamed of a just, forward-thinking society. When America began to form its own culture during the revolutionary period, many started to question what it meant to be American.

Literary works of that time were, in a way, a self-discovery. They reflected the ideas, values, and aspirations of the American people. For that reason, along with self-identity, they focused on freedom, racial discrimination, gender, equality, and individualism.

📚 Examples of the American Dream in Literature

It’s true that the theme of the American Dream is present in almost every work of American literature. It is seen as either a positive or a negative phenomenon by various authors.

For instance, the poem I Hear America Singing by Walt Whitman and The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin describe the American Dream as something that can help the country develop and bring positive changes to society.

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In contrast, the following works talk about the vanity of the American Dream:

• The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald,
• Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck,
• A Raisin in the Sun by Lorraine Hansberry,
• Death of a Salesman by Arthur Miller.

The American Dream in The Great Gatsby

F. Scott Fitzgerald’s novel The Great Gatsby raises a lot of social and psychological questions. One of the book’s topics is the American Dream and how it fails people’s expectations. You can learn more about this and other themes in the novel from our article on the themes in The Great Gatsby .

Fitzgerald depicts the American Dream as something materialistic. It comes in the form of wealth, success, and social status—things that don’t guarantee happiness.

The American Dream posits that anyone who works hard can achieve success in the United States, no matter their social class. The novel questions that idea. Specifically, it criticizes how materialistic the American Dream became when the initial ideas were about freedom and equality. The Great Gatsby shows how consumerism had corroded and corrupted one of the country’s foundational ideas. 

How does the Great Gatsby Represent the American Dream?

The protagonist of Fitzgerald’s novel, Jay Gatsby, is the proof that the American Dream, despite people’s expectations, can’t be achieved. From the outside, Gatsby looks like a successful man who paved the way for himself. In reality, however, his life is miserable. He stays an outsider in the eyes of elite society and has no one who truly cares about him.

Jay Gatsby is a romantic character who believes in love and achieving dreams. He pursues wealth and influence as a way to fulfill these dreams. He is too blinded by his passion for Daisy, whom he idealizes, just like people idealize the American Dream.

In the end, Gatsby’s naivety and unwillingness to see the truth bring him to his downfall. Through the character of Jay Gatsby, Fitzgerald shows how corrupted the American Dream became. You can learn more from our article on the characters in The Great Gatsby .

The Great Gatsby: American Dream Quotes

Here are some quotations from Fitzgerald’s novel that demonstrate how the idea of the American Dream is depicted in the book:

I decided to call to him. Miss Baker had mentioned him at dinner, and that would do for an introduction. But I didn’t call to him, for he gave a sudden intimation that he was content to be alone—he stretched out his arms toward the dark water in a curious way, and, far as I was from him, I could have sworn he was trembling. Involuntarily I glanced seaward—and distinguished nothing except a single green light, minute and far away, that might have been the end of a dock. When I looked once more for Gatsby he had vanished, and I was alone again in the unquiet darkness. The Great Gatsby, Chapter 1

He had come a long way to this blue lawn and his dream must have seemed so close that he could hardly fail to grasp it. He did not know that it was already behind him, somewhere back in that vast obscurity beyond the city, where the dark fields of the republic rolled on under the night. The Great Gatsby, Chapter 9

If that was true he must have felt that he had lost the old warm world, paid a high price for living too long with a single dream. The Great Gatsby, Chapter 7

American Dream: Death of a Salesman

The play Death of a Salesman talks about the difference between reality and dreams. The main character, Willy Loman, is a tragic hero. He is flawed because he refuses to accept reality and keeps living in the illusion he had created for himself. Eventually, it leads him to his downfall resulting in his death.

In his play, Arthur Miller criticizes the American society of the 1940s for its materialistic values. The author shows the struggles that each character has to go through in an attempt to achieve their American Dream.

Rather than directly criticizing the American Dream, the play talks about the confusion that comes with it. It condemns how people start to see material success as their way towards happiness and elevate it above everything else. Want to learn more? Feel free to read our summary of Death of a Salesman .

American Dream Quotes: Death of a Salesman

Here are quotations that reflect the idea of the American Dream in Miller’s play:

Work a lifetime to pay off a house. You finally own it, and there’s nobody to live in it. Death of a Salesman, Act 1

Biff Loman is lost. In the greatest country in the world a young man with such—personal attractiveness, gets lost. And such a hard worker. There’s one thing about Biff—he’s not lazy. Death of a Salesman, Act 1

It’s who you know and the smile on your face! It’s contacts, Ben, contacts! The whole wealth of Alaska passes over the lunch table at the Commodore Hotel, and that’s the wonder, the wonder of this country, that a man can end with diamonds here on the basis of being liked! Death of a Salesman, Act 2

American Dream in Of Mice and Men

John Steinbeck’s novella tells the story of two migrant ranch workers who search for new job opportunities. The narrative takes place during the Great Depression. It touches on various topics such as friendship, loneliness, race, gender, and economic class.

The main characters, George and Lennie, wish to own a farm. They hope that they will eventually buy land and fulfill their dream if they work hard. George and Lennie’s dream farm is the representation of the American Dream and its fragility.

In his book, Steinbeck argues that the American Dream of “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness” is an illusion and can’t be achieved. The author shows the reality of poor workers trying to make it in America.

Through the book’s characters, it becomes evident that such things as skin color, social status, and gender still affect our position in society. It also reflects how lonely people become while trying to pursue their American Dream.

Of Mice and Men: American Dream Quotes

Here are some interesting quotations that illustrate how the American Dream is portrayed in Steinbeck’s novella:

And these shelves were loaded with little articles, soap and talcum powder, razors and those Western magazines ranch men love to read and scoff at and secretly believe. Of Mice and Men, Chapter 2

I seen too many guys with land in their head. They never get none under their hand. Of Mice and Men, Chapter 4

Then – it’s all off?” Candy asked sulkily. George didn’t answer his question. George said, “I’ll work my month an’ I’ll take my fifty bucks an’ I’ll stay all night in some lousy cat house. Or I’ll set in some poolroom til ever’body goes home. An’ then I’ll come back an’ work another month an’ I’ll have fifty bucks more. Of Mice and Men, Chapter 5

📝 American Dream Essay Topics

In this part of the article, we introduce a list of topics on the American Dream. You can use them for inspiration in your essay:

• Describe a character that you think exemplifies the American Dream.
• Write about an author who criticizes the American Dream in his books.
• Analyze a poem that depicts the American Dream as a positive phenomenon.
• Do you think the American Dream is achievable?
• Describe how the American Dream has changed over time .
• Which historical events affect the emergence of the American Dream?
• Describe the American Dream of today.
• Does the American Dream influence world literature?
• How is the American Dream reflected in F. Scott Fitzgerald’s works?
• The Lost Generation and the American Dream.
• The representation of the American Dream in Steinbeck’s Grapes of Wrath .
• Describe Langston Hughes’ version of the American Dream.
• Depiction of the American Dream in movies .
• What is the original meaning of the American Dream?
• Allegory in Edward Albee’s The American Dream .
• The failure of the American Dream.
• Martin Luther King’s version of the American Dream.
• Describe Jack Kerouac’s vision of the American Dream in On the Road .
• Do you think in The Sun Also Rises Hemingway is skeptical about the American Dream?
• Did Benjamin Franklin’s definition of the American Dream get lost?

We hope that you found this article helpful and learned something new. If you liked it, feel free to share it with your friends.

• How the American Dream Has Changed Over Time: Williamsburg-James City County Public Schools
• The Colonial American Dream: Encyclopedia.com
• American Dream: Corporate Finance Institute
• The American Dream, Equal Opportunity, and Obtaining the Vote: The University of Maine
• Of Mice and Men: Key Terms and Concepts: San José State University
• The American Dream and Literature: De Paul University
• How the American Dream Turned into Greed and Inequality: World Economic Forum
• Fitzgerald’s Critique of the American Dream: Bridgewater State University
• Defining the Dream: The Institute on the American Dream: Penn State University
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American Dream Essay Examples

The american dream is not accessible to everyone.

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The Depiction of My American Dream

The American dream is about having the opportunity for success. The American dream is also about freedom and living the life you want to live. This is my American dream, essay examples, where I will share personal dreams. So my American Dream is to have...

Apple Logo and the American Dream - American Values

To start with, in this American values essay I will argument how these values affects our life. The American dream to me is all about family values. The American dream is defined as the ideal by which equality of opportunity is available to any American,...

American Dream: "Winter Dreams" and "The Great Gatsby"

“The American Dream,” is something everyone who comes here or lives here strives to achieve the american dream, but what is the american dream exactly? In american dream argumentative essay we will discuss this topic through the review of two books. Fitzgerald has defined the...

The American Dream: Myth Or Reality

The concept of the American Dream has long been a subject of debate, with some viewing it as an achievable reality and others as an elusive myth. This essay explores the complexities surrounding the American Dream, analyzing its historical roots, contemporary challenges, and the role...

3 Reasons Why the American Dream is Still Alive

This is 3 reasons why the American dream is still alive essay in which three basic arguments due to the topic are given. Between 1880-1920 the immigration to the United States reached its peak.The socalled “Old Immigration” brought thousands of Irish and German people to...

Exploring "Some Dreamers of the Golden Dream"

"Some Dreamers of the Golden Dream," written by Joan Didion, offers a thought-provoking exploration of the American Dream and the darker complexities that lie beneath its surface. Through her meticulous observations and narrative style, Didion paints a vivid picture of the desires, aspirations, and contradictions...

The Most Important Issues Facing America Today

What are most important issues facing america today essay will take an attrmpt to answer this question throught the perspective of the idea of American dream. “Nature or nurture” is a question that has long been asked by society. In asking this, society is trying...

The American Dream: a Pursuit of Prosperity and Opportunity

The concept of the American Dream has long been a quintessential aspect of American culture and identity. It embodies the belief that anyone, regardless of their background, can achieve success, prosperity, and upward mobility through hard work and determination. In this essay, we will delve...

The American Dream: is It Still Achievable for Everyone

The American Dream, a concept deeply rooted in the nation's history and identity, has long been associated with the idea that hard work, determination, and opportunity can lead to success and prosperity. However, in recent years, questions have arisen about the accessibility of the American...

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About American Dream

The American Dream is a national ethos of the United States, the set of ideals (democracy, rights, liberty, opportunity and equality) in which freedom includes the opportunity for prosperity and success, as well as upward social mobility for the family and children, achieved through hard work in a society with few barriers.

The American Dream is rooted in the Declaration of Independence, which proclaims that "all men are created equal" with the right to "life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness." The meaning of the "American Dream" has changed over the course of history and includes both personal components and a global vision. Historically the Dream originated in the mystique regarding frontier life. As John Murray, 4th Earl of Dunmore, the colonial Governor of Virginia, noted in 1774, the Americans "for ever imagine the Lands further off are still better than those upon which they are already settled". He added that, "if they attained Paradise, they would move on if they heard of a better place farther west".

The American dream is the belief that anyone, regardless of where they were born or what class they were born into, can attain their own version of success in a society in which upward mobility is possible for everyone. The American dream is believed to be achieved through sacrifice, risk-taking, and hard work, rather than by chance.

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