American Dream Research Articles

White Emotion and White Scopophilia: The Myth of Docile and Brute Blacks

This article investigates the resilience of the docility and brutality myths attributed to African Americans as demonstrated by three fairly recent film renditions. The focus is on the historical origins and the continued relevance of these tropes through white scopophilia and cognitive dissonance. The myths are analyzed in terms of their role in justifying racial hierarchies and reinforcing white supremacy within historical and contemporary contexts. Through a critical examination of historical texts by Lerone Bennett Jr. and portrayals in films such as Django Unchained and Twelve Years a Slave, the study demonstrates how these stereotypes are alternately emphasized or diminished to maintain white dominance. It argues that white America constructs African American identities with a strategic oscillation between docility and brutality to sustain control and alleviate white guilt. This manipulation is facilitated by psychological mechanisms that allow white individuals to hold contradictory beliefs about race without recognizing their inconsistencies. By detailing the dynamic usage of these myths, the article highlights how they are not static, but are strategically deployed to reaffirm white moral and authoritative supremacy as needed. The conclusion calls for a critical reassessment of racial representations in media and historical narratives to disrupt these enduring racial myths.

The Longevity Benefits of Homeownership: Evidence From Early Twentieth-Century U.S. Male Birth Cohorts.

Owning a home has long been touted as a key component of the idealized "American Dream." Homeownership is associated with greater wealth and better health, but the causal impact of homeownership on health remains unclear. Using linked complete-count census and Social Security mortality records, I document Black-White disparities in homeownership rates and produce the first U.S.-based estimates of the association between homeownership in early adulthood and longevity. I then use a sibling-based identification strategy to estimate the causal effect of homeownership on longevity for cohorts born in the first two decades of the twentieth century. The results indicate that homeownership has a significant positive impact on longevity, which I estimate at approximately 4 months.

The American Dream in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Residency: A Path Less Taken

The American Dream in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Residency: A Path Less Taken

American Indians and the American Dream: Policies, Place, and Property in Minnesota

American Indians and the American Dream: Policies, Place, and Property in Minnesota

Girlhood Reimagined

Abstract I examine how Malaka Gharib's I Was Their American Dream and It Won't Always Be Like This frame, embody, and reimagine girlhood through a multicultural transnational lens. Born in California, Gharib grew up with Filipino and Egyptian heritage. Taking advantage of the formal properties of comics, her work situates her memories and experiences at the intersection of ethnicity, gender, and transnational encounters. I interrogate how these books visualize the connection between girlhood and mixed heritage through the artist-narrator's interactions with and observation of her Filipino mother and relatives in the United States and her father, stepmother, half-siblings, and neighbors in Egypt. I also examine how the multimodality of comics draws on tropes of girlhood to enable representation through the depiction and layering of different selves.

“All Crookedly Blessed in God’s Mercy”

Bruce Springsteen has repeatedly reinvented himself through a long process of vocational discernment that often draws on a distinctly Catholic imagination. In this process, he has repeatedly explored complex relationships between religious faith, American identity, older traditions of popular music, and race. At pivotal moments in his career, his vocational discernment has led him to the work of musicians raised in Pentecostal and Holiness churches. From this perspective, this essay explores the relationship between Springsteen’s “Land of Hope and Dreams” and Sister Rosetta Tharpe’s “This Train,” the gospel-inspired song that she first recorded in 1938. Both of these songs arise from Christian imaginations nurtured in local communities of faith—in Tharpe’s case, a congregation of the Church of God in Christ in Cotton Plant, Arkansas, and in Springsteen’s case, an immigrant Catholic parish in Freehold, New Jersey. Tharpe draws directly from Holiness traditions, combining her belief in a distinctly embodied version of sanctification with the religious practice of tongues speaking, most powerfully in her guitar improvisations. Like Springsteen, Tharpe brings to contemporary music the performance dynamics of Holiness and Pentecostal preachers, possessed by the Holy Spirit, accompanied by a choir, before an enraptured congregation. In these respects, the resemblances between these two songs are not a matter of “direct influence.” Rather, these resemblances provide a critical test case in a kind of artistic influence that is multi-directional, unpredictable, and often subversive. They arise from shared sources, particularly a long tradition of train songs that find their way into country and gospel music. Even more important, they arise from similarities in the faith traditions—and the religious imaginations—of the two musicians. From this perspective, Tharpe and Springsteen both belong to a larger tradition of “gospel redemption” in American popular music, which becomes particularly evident when “Land of Hope and Dreams” ends with a cover of Curtis Mayfield’s “People Get Ready,” invoking the ideals of the early civil rights movement and, at the same time, our repeated failures to achieve these ideals.

A Viagem Como Forma De Apreensão Da Realidade: Uma Experiência Na Contemporaneidade

This article explores travel as a pedagogical and aesthetic method in the field of architecture and urbanism, proposing an approach grounded in Baumgarten's aesthetic science and the experience of the Valparaíso School in Chile. By distinguishing between sensitive and intellective knowledge, Baumgarten laid the foundation for aesthetics as a science, enabling the application of its principles to diverse fields, including architecture. Through the methodological tripod – planning, action, and recording – travel is presented as a practice of sensory enjoyment, critical reflection, and the construction of an aesthetic repertoire. The analysis considers the exploration journeys of the 19th century, which combined sensory perception and scientific records, drawing a parallel with the Crossings of the Valparaíso School. Since 1965, these Crossings have merged poetry, architectural research, and the construction of ephemeral works, constituting an unorthodox form of teaching that transcends traditional academic travel. During the action phase, Poetic Acts and collective interventions are performed in public spaces, celebrating American identity and fostering cultural exchange with local communities. The recording of experiences, through drawings, diaries, and architectural works, consolidates learning and broadens participants' repertoires. The practices of the Valparaíso School illustrate how travel can serve as a contemporary tool for understanding geographic and architectural space, offering an alternative to the homogeneous and standardized thinking of modernity. By questioning traditional modes of apprehending reality, the Crossings reaffirm the relevance of aesthetic science as a mediator between the sensory and the rational, advancing an innovative and transformative pedagogical practice.

“The World Isn't Black and White”: Adolescent Youth of Color Reflect on School Ethnic‐Racial Climate, Context, and Identity in Middle School

ABSTRACTContemporary scholars of race contend that the long‐heralded “American Dream” rhetoric continues to thrive within the ideology of colorblindness, whereby race is deemed insignificant. Public schools are not insulated from this, and recent political assaults the teaching of “divisive” concepts have already had a chilling effect on classroom content, posing a threat to the affirmation of racially marginalized students. Using qualitative interviews, we examined the salience of ethnicity‐race and ethnic‐racial identity for students of varied ethnic‐racial groups (n = 22) in a middle school community that was ethno‐racially diverse, but where White students constituted a large segment of the population. Guided by critical race theory (CRT) and phenomenological variant of ecological systems theory (PVEST), our analyses generated five thematic categories upon which ethnicity‐race were relevant to students: learning and appreciation for diversity, ethnic‐racial identity, teacher behaviors, student treatment, and same‐race peer connections and support. Findings are discussed in terms of implications for teachers and counselors to stand in solidarity with youth in challenging hegemonic whiteness in schools.

Indigenous traditions and the impact of war: An analysis of N. Scott Momaday’s House Made of Dawn

Purpose: This study analyzes indigenous traditions and the impact of war on N. Scott Momaday’s novel House Made of Dawn. This study aims to understand how the narrative portrays the struggles of Native American identity and cultural survival in the post-World War II era. Research methodology: A qualitative literary analysis approach was employed, focusing on thematic analysis, character study, and the cultural context. The analysis examined primary and secondary sources, such as literary criticism and historical accounts, to provide a comprehensive understanding of the novel’s themes. Results: The analysis revealed that the novel intricately weaves indigenous traditions with traumatic experiences of war. The protagonist, Abel, embodies the conflict between Native American heritage and the alienation caused by modern society and war. The novel depicts the resilience of indigenous culture through rituals, storytelling, and community support, highlighting the healing process of individuals and communities. Limitations: This study’s narrow focus on a single novel may not fully represent the broader spectrum of Native American literature or experiences. Additionally, reliance on existing literary criticism may introduce bias, based on the interpretations of other scholars. Contribution: This paper enhances the understanding of how indigenous traditions and the impact of war are portrayed in the Native American literature. This underscores the importance of cultural preservation and the role of literature in addressing historical and contemporary issues faced by indigenous communities. This study also offers insights into the healing power of cultural practices and community solidarity in the face of adversity.

Nepo Babies and the Myth of Meritocracy

ABSTRACT Mainstream media reports on the rise of “nepo babies” have brought renewed attention to the advantages that famous and well-connected parents can provide. Drawing from a sample of 331 in-print and online articles, we apply a cultural frame analysis to study news media discourse around nepotism with a focus on how celebrity children are represented and whether these representations support or refute an ideology of meritocracy. We find that nepotism is often framed in one of four ways. First, and most commonly, nepotism among celebrity children is rendered defensible through allusions to hard work and sensationalized accounts of celebrities’ lives and lifestyles. Second, nepotism is objected to for the uneven privileges that celebrity parentage can provide. Third, a minority of articles contextualize privilege and produce order. The remaining frames presented a degree of indifference, which functioned to normalize nepotism. Together, most frames reinforce the American ideology of meritocracy, suggesting that hard work and talent explain the success of celebrity children, while hiding structural inequalities and the insidiousness of privilege from view.

Multimodal Representations of the American Dream Theme: A Comparative Analysis of The Great Gatsby in Film and Novel

This research analyzes the film adaptation of The Great Gatsby and its written text. It aims to examine the film adaptation through the perspective of multimodal analysis to determine how it expands or contracts the viewersꞌ comprehension of the complex themes and characters from the source material. Another goal is to determine the effect of the use of multimodal elements in the film on viewersꞌ engagement compared to the capacity of text to achieve the same function. According to this research hypothesis, the film adaptation of The Great Gatsby relies heavily on multimodal modes of communication to convey themes, character development, and emotions, influencing its viewers more than the textual descriptions do. Bateman and Schmidt's (2011) model, which includes paradigmatic and syntagmatic analysis, underpins the evaluation of the film. A thematic sample was selected for the multimodality analysis to compare the novel by F. Scott Fitzgerald to the film version directed by Baz Luhrmann in 2013, featuring Leonardo DiCaprio and Carey Mulligan. This research finds that the film adaptation presents a distinct interpretation of the American Dream compared to that of the novel. Fitzgerald's work conveys ideas through introspective narration and lush, descriptive language, allowing for a more nuanced and personal understanding of the American Dream.

The Lofty American Dream And The Gloomy Nightmarish Reality In Pre-War American Fiction

The Lofty American Dream And The Gloomy Nightmarish Reality In Pre-War American Fiction

Effects of Qualitative Interview Participation on Muslim American Identity Integration: A Mixed-Method Investigation

ABSTRACT Participation in research studies about one’s identity has been found to act as a form of counseling intervention. This mixed-method convergent parallel design study sought to examine whether participating in a 45-minute one-on-one semi-structured interview on Muslim American identity integration affected participants’ views of their identity one year later. Participants included 29 ethnically diverse second-generation Muslim Americans residing in the U.S. Midwest who were retained at one-year follow-up from a semi-structured identity interview of 53 participants. Participants completed a survey with measures of identity, identity integration, and open-ended questions inquiring how the study influenced them. Descriptive quantitative analyses and thematic analysis of qualitative data were used to examine the participants’ perceptions of the interview. Qualitative responses displayed five themes (Self-Understanding and Reflection, Affirmation, Connecting With In-Group, “Normal” Conversation Topic, and No Change) aligning with the three primary domains incorporated in ethnic identity development. The blendedness of the participants’ Muslim and American identities, American centrality, and participants’ self-reported positive private regard toward their American identity were lower at Time 2 compared to Time 1. More research is needed regarding the influence of participating in identity-based mixed-methods studies on Muslim American identity formation.

THE LOST GENERATION AND ITS INFLUENCE ON LITERATURE AND CULTURE IN THE WAKE OF WORLD WAR I

The Lost Generation refers to a cohort of American writers who emerged in the aftermath of World War I, characterized by their disillusionment with traditional values and societal norms. This article examines the historical context surrounding the Lost Generation, highlighting how the war's brutality led to a profound sense of alienation and existential questioning among these writers. Key figures such as Ernest Hemingway, F. Scott Fitzgerald, Gertrude Stein, and T.S. Eliot are discussed for their contributions to modernist literature, showcasing recurring themes of disillusionment, alienation, and the critique of the American Dream. The influence of the Lost Generation extends beyond literature into visual arts and music, reflecting broader cultural movements of the 1920s and 1930s. Ultimately, the legacy of the Lost Generation continues to resonate in contemporary literature and culture, offering insights into the human condition that remain relevant today.

Celeste Ng in Conversation with Maxine Hong Kingston: Intergenerational Trauma and the Asian American Experience in Everything I Never Told You.

This paper delves into the representation of intergenerational trauma within Asian American literature, focusing on Celeste Ng’s Everything I Never Told You, Maxine Hong Kingston’s The Woman Warrior, and the critiques by Viet Thanh Nguyen. Ng’s work is analyzed for its nuanced portrayal of trauma as an intrinsic part of the Asian American experience, distinguishing it from earlier works that, as Nguyen argues, tend to conform to the “model minority” stereotype. The paper examines Ng’s sensitive unpacking of trauma, particularly its non-punctual, systemic nature, and its intergenerational transmission, especially in parent-child relationships. Additionally, it contrasts Ng’s approach with Kingston’s, exploring how trauma in The Woman Warrior is masked by cultural reinterpretation and the desire to please dominant Western narratives. By employing the theories of Cathy Caruth, Naomi Mandel, and Greg Forter, the essay argues that Ng repositions trauma as a core theme in Asian American literature, filling a significant gap left by previous works and redefining the narrative of Asian American identity and heritage.

Por las puertas de la apercepción: Acercamientos a la filosofía de Francisco Gavidia

In the following paper, the author points out some of the aspects of the philosophical project of the Salvadoran writer Francisco Gavidia. One important contribution is that the author reflects on whether a Latin American philosophy is possible, long before the philosophical debates regarding this matter during the 1960s. Gavidia maintained that this philosophy must overcome the limitations of positivism and provide a perspective of reality rooted both on scientific reason and poetic intuition, given the particularities of Latin American identity. That is what the author calls “apperception”, which he considers as the foundation of his philosophical and cultural project for El Salvador. Nevertheless, Gavidia thought has both the scope and limitations of a philosophy rooted in the 19th century intellectual context but focused on the 20th century problems. Realidad, Revista de Ciencias Sociales y Humanidades, No. 164, 2024: 89-136.

THE MYTH OF PURSUING HAPPINESS IN THE PURSUIT OF HAPPYNESS

This research aims to examine how to pursue happiness constructs Americans in the film The Pursuit of Happyness (2006). Pursuing happiness is included in one of the American Dreams which means that everyone in America deserves their happiness. To investigate the analyses, this study uses Roland Barthes' semiotic analysis to find out the happiness in Americans. The results show that pursuing happiness is categorized as one of the American myths and the American characteristics. The characteristics of freedom, happiness, and success describe the American character in pursuing happiness as the myth. In addition, pursuing happiness illustrates the similarity of the narrative when compared to the myth. It analyses in social and cultural of Americans' lives.

Dreams and Disillusionment: A Critique of the American Dream in American Fiction

This paper examines the vanity and consequences of the American Dream in four novels: Upton Sinclair's The Jungle, Jack London's The Iron Heel, F. Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby, and John Steinbeck's The Grapes of Wrath. A socio-political analysis of these authors and their works exposes the hollow nature of the dream. The Jungle is discussed from a racial and economic perspective, highlighting the plight of Jurgis and his Lithuanian family who are disillusioned in their pursuit of success. The Iron Heel is examined politically, showcasing the struggle between the capitalist class and workers. In The Great Gatsby, Fitzgerald presents a social satire, critiquing the death of American ideals sacrificed for materialism. The Grapes of Wrath analyzes the American Dream through the Joad family's migration and exploitation. The study compares the treatment of the American Dream in these novels, referencing texts, socio-economic contexts, and relevant critical works.

Book Review: Monsters on Maple Street: The Twilight Zone and the Postwar American Dream

Book Review: Monsters on Maple Street: The Twilight Zone and the Postwar American Dream

Social Criticism and the American Dream: An Analysis of James Truslow Adams' The Epic of America (1931)

The current paper delves into the social criticism embedded in James Truslow Adams' The Epic of America (1931), especially concentrating on his coinage of the "American Dream" and its connection during the Great Depression. Adams critiques the increasing disparity between socio-economic classes and the materialism that predicted America’s founding ideals. By tracing the historical origins of the American Dream, Adams pinpoints its early transformation from a common vision of opportunity and egalitarianism to one increasingly maneuvering into wealth accumulation. Through historical manifestation, Adams exposes how the advent of industrialization and capitalism had compromised the nation's democratic values, resulting in social and economic injustice. This research paper draws on historical and literary origins to scrutinize how The Epic of America acts as both a critique of the early 20th century's social conditions and a hopeful call for returning to the principles of equality and opportunity. By reassessing the American Dream, this work remains a relevant lens through which to grasp the significance of societal aspirations and disenchantment in American history.