Although American dream definitions do vary a little bit from time to time, most people seem to have a pretty good sense of what it means. For more than two centuries now, people have seen the United States as the land of opportunity. Folks from all over the world come here in hopes of making a better lives for themselves and their children. The American dream means that, through hard work, anyone can persevere. 

Of course, different people have very different American dreams. For some people, the hope is to get rich quick. America has always been a place with an open attitude towards new inventions and innovations. Many people who come here hope to be the one to come up with the next big thing. Who wouldn't want to be fabulously wealthy based on a single good idea?

Most American dreams, however, are more conventional. The typical dream Americans have is to one day be financially secure, successful, and respected in their communities. For many people it is enough to have a solid 40 hour a week job that pays the bills, along with a white picket fence, two children, and a loving spouse. Although times have changed quite a bit, the American dream has changed remarkably little. 

Once you start looking into the American dream in literature, however, you find out that the issue is a little bit more complicated than it seems on the surface. Superficially, the dream is all about fame and fortune. People in America believe that they really can succeed and overcome all obstacles. They believe that through hard work, they can become wealthy even if they only possess normal skills and few contacts. Although this dream has elevated many people, it has crushed many others. Unrealistic expectations from life are not always a good thing. They can help you to motivate yourself to achieve more, but they can also leave you poorly setup to cope with letdowns and disappointments.

Nonetheless, ultimately I think that the American dream is a pretty redeeming quality. It has its downside, sure, but it also has its upside. It is important to believe in yourself and your own abilities. Even if you won't necessarily succeed to the degree that you think you will, you still might get further than you would have otherwise. Having positive expectations will help you make the choices you need to succeed and get ahead in life.