Pursuit of Happiness

The American Dream is the idea that every citizen has the freedom to accomplish their missions through hard work (Cullen, 4). American citizens believe that their prosperity is based on aptitude and hard work. They also believe that social class or race should not be an obstacle to anyone’s happiness. People have their own degree of happiness, so the actions or circumstances that lead to individual pleasure may vary. The analysis of the American Dream reveals the irony involved and how positive and negative elements may coexist for hundreds of years.The American Dream has various ironies since individuals value different things in life. Some goals need perseverance, focus and time to achieve, but individuals want to get their happiness within minimal time. They struggle at their work places to get promotions, which will improve their financial status. The American Dream suggests that everyone who works hard will attain their goals, but this does not apply to some work areas. Some individuals do not get promotions as fast as they expect, yet they work extremely hard. Most of them find their happiness in negative things such as suicide, which ends their miseries, and theft, which enhances their financial status. Death of a Salesman depicts some ironies of the American Dream. Willy rejects the job offer because he feels that there is no happiness in any employment. He opts for suicide because he thinks that death is the only thing that can bring him happiness Bloom, 8). The American Dream also convinces individuals that hard work is the only key to happiness. Death brings happiness to some individuals, yet it does not require any hard work. Willy portrays an irony of the American Dream because, like many other citizens, Willy thought employment was the key to all happiness and that hard work increases the degree of happiness. Most people think that they can attain their goals without any struggles, but they get disappointed along the way. Others work extremely hard but once they come across any obstacle they lose focus. According to the American Dream, people who work hard are always happy. Biff was a brilliant athlete, but he never found happiness. He ended up as a thief and lost everything that brought him happiness. The American Dream is for all citizens and everyone should enjoy the freedom to work hard to attain their goals. The American Dream is for citizens of all races, but some whites believe that the dream is not for blacks, so they do not share the dream with other races (Meyer, 13). The blacks work hard to gain success, but the whites frustrate them by adding more problems. Blacks experience racism, which prevents them from getting their happiness. Raisin in the Sun gives evidence of the struggles, which black individuals go through, when trying to achieve their dreams. Walter’s family discovered the American Dream and thought they would not meet any obstacles since the dream is for all citizens, but they realize that not everyone is …