The American Dream The New World As A Land Of...

Since the discovery of the Americas in the fourteenth century, Western ideals have characterized the New World as a land of opportunity for social mobility. America’s lack of colonization and European ideals of private property resulted in the rapid immigration of Europeans seeking wealth and the possibility of a high social standard. The â€Å"American Dream† prevailed on the basis that â€Å"all men are equal† as the opportunity to pursue prosperity and achieve a higher social class became a reality for many of those who emigrated for social mobility. However, as technological advances assist in generating more profit, the economic gap between the wealthy and poor widens, often due to the wealthy’s exertion of power over and exploitation of the poor. As a result, the American Dream slowly becomes less accessible to the lower classes and social mobility gradually becomes an illusion. Two social classes in particular conflicted in their views of social con duct. The Old Money social class, or aristocracy, held a system of high sophistication and intermarriage with other inheritors of family fortunes. On the other hand, the nouveau-riche, or newly-rich, previously belonged to a low social class, lacking a distinguished family name, and often displaying their wealth ostentatiously. Such social class distinctions and their interrelations within F. Scott Fitzgerald’s â€Å"great American novel† The Great Gatsby enhance and suggest the glorification of a dead American Dream. Fitzgerald’sShow MoreRelatedThroughout the centuries, social class and mobility has always been a big concern for Americans.1100 Words   |  5 PagesThroughout the centuries, social class and mobility has always been a big concern for Americans. Today, social mobility has been known to be roughly the same over the past few decades. Social mobility, to begin with, is defined as a movement, either upward or downward, in social class. 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Ironically, during one of the most devastating times in our nation’s history, historian James Truslow Adams coinedRead MoreClass Is An Integral Part Of All Societies1711 Words   |  7 Pagesintegral part of all societies. These divisions range from gender, education, occupation and wealth. A combination of these and other dividing factors shape the manner in which and individual is perceived by their peers in a social setting. These factors make of the basis of a social class. Defined as a group of people who share eco nomic resources that influence their lifestyles, class is ingrained in the minds of individuals in all societies. Although the elements that determines ones class may appear