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The "American dream" termed the legend from the US-society ,which says that everybody can be happy and rich with his own willpower: "From rags to riches".
The keynote from the American dream is also a part from the declaration of independance. And only with the laws in it , it is possible to allow for the base right: The persuit of happiness.Actually there isn`t a accurate definition for the American dream, because it baised of the dreams and wishes from the individual. However the different definitions are similar to eachother concerning in some elements, thats why you can devide the goals in individual values .
But what are values and ideas? They are things the americans stand for,things they feel are right and correct. In America the values and ideas are:
1. justice
2. liberty
3. fairness
4. democracy
5. equality (vgl.www.ego4you.de)
Concluding this definition you can say that the American dream isn`t specialized, because everyone has his/her own dream. For some it`s the liberty, for the other it`s the happiness and for the next it is to have a good job. But generally you can say that the American dream said that everyone has the freedom to reach his/her goals , if they work hard enough for their individual dream.
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2.5 American dream as regards to the American beauty
"American beauty is a drama film that explores themes of love, freedom,self-liberation, the search for happiness, and family against the backdrop of average modern American suburbia." (vgl.American beauty).
American beauty has an appeal. People like Lester or people leading to his state can be seen all around and within us; at least in parts.When Lester says "I want a job with the least amount of responsibility", he epitomizes a person who is frustrated and not grown up enough to take advice regarding assuming responsibility in the socially accepted sense.
"American beauty" examines the materaliastic nature of Americans and the emptiness of relationships."American beauty" also examines the nature of true beauty. I think you will now ask yourself in how far the "American dream" represents in the film. Now, there are a lot of themes in this film which reflects the American dream. Commenced with the fact that Lester is fulfilling his dream of going to the days of his youth , to drugs, rock music and a carefree life style.Carolyn has fulfilled her dream of living up to the standarts of the middle class American suburbia.She has made it from a duplex to a home of her own , an orginally successful husband and a child. Ricky is deceiving his father and, having learned how to deal with him , leads a rather independent life in his parent`s home. Jane is willing to give up her secure life at her parent`s home and follow Ricky to New York in order to let her dream of a life with her lover come true.Angela is still dreaming of fulfilling her hopes of becoming a model. She herself is very self-confident that she will be able to achieve this aim.
However, in the end it becomes clear that Lester cannot fullfil his dream , that Carolyn`s dream has been ruined and that all the teenagers` dreams are very shallow. A film, which shows a family, in which everyone try to satisfy his/her individual dream, but during the "persuit of happiness" , they don`t realise that their family disband.
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