The American Dream

Opening scene

Convenience store, second scene

The Poem

What happens to a dream deferred?
Does it dry up
Like a raisin in the sun?
Or fester like a sore–
And then run?
Does it stink like rotten meat?
Or crust and sugar over–
like a syrupy sweet?
Maybe it just sags
like a heavy load.
Or does it explode?

by Langston Hughes

The roots of a nation

To properly understand the US you have to study its history and the conditions under which Americans have developed. The people that came to colonize northern America were typically very daring and enterprising people. They had dared to cross the Atlantic in order to reach the New World. Many of them were very religious people who had fled the religious repression of many of the European states.

A great may of the settlers who came to America actually thought of themselves as God’s emissaries. They saw themselves as establishing His kingdom on the new continent. To these people America was the Promised Land, a New Canaan.

Some of the colonists came to speak of themselves as citizens of the City upon a Hill. A phrase they had got from Matthew 5:14 ”Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hid”. The colonist thought that they were chosen to build a new nation which was to set an example to all others. These beliefs – that the Americans are the chosen people living in a country reserved for them by God and that they have been set there to be an example to others – have continued to live through American history and are still, in a secularized form, very much alive. In actions and in words, in foreign and domestic policy Americans have often looked upon themselves as a model for the world and as both savior and police with divine sanction

An expression of this belief is the fact that many Americans shared the conviction in the nineteenth century that it was the manifest destiny of the United States to expand all the way to the Pacific Ocean. One of the many literary expressions of this is this passage from Herman Melville’s White-Jacket: ”[a]nd we Americans are the peculiar chosen people— the Israel of our time; we bear the ark of liberties of the world”.


Progress and problems

The first colonists’ dream of a blessed land, a land of plenty, was soon discovered to be something quite different. The hardships of these first Americans were many: they died of all sorts of diseases, the land was wild and they had a hard time to survive.

The overall economic success of America, however, has many good reasons: the rich natural resources and the vastness of the country, people were allowed to compete on their own merits (in Europe the feudal system was very rigid and did not let people go into business for themselves). In some ways the mentality of the people had something to do with it as well: the colonists were very ambitious and optimistic. They truly believed in the dream of social and material success. They thought that everything was possible.

The firm belief in progress and development met with many problems. Many colonists did not succed, others lost heart and became pessimistic and bitter. Throughout the years more and more people have come to America with their visions and dreams, some have succeded others have not. America is in this sense a country of extremes a land of the rich as well as of the poor. The progress in some fields (space travel or entertainment industry) do not overshadow problems such as segregation, racism and crime.

Manifest destiny in our century

As previously stated the ideas of the City upon a Hill and Manifest Destiny still live, although in a slightly altered form.

The Apollo program in itself represents, in a sense, a continuation of the pioneering spirit of the US; it represents the will to expand, to go forward, to claim, to manifest destiny – to continue, in a metaphorical sense, the journey Westward.

Questions

The US sees itself as special. The Americans feel they have a special role to play in the world.

How do we see this in film, books and in the news?

Sweden has perhaps a different self-image? What would you say is typically Swedish?

26 reaktioner till “The American Dream”

  1. I would say that Sweden Sees itself as progressive? As the pioneer in acceptance and equality. As a open and free society where we accept all kinds of people.

    Gilla

    1. Except for movies and television shows where financial success is mentioned, there are not really that many mentions of the American dream. At least from my experience. The American dream is stays hidden, in the background it´s something I can see in a lot of places but it´s not always mentioned. Americans are know to be proud of their country to be patriotic, they don’t say why they’re proud of their country from my experience.

      Often you just hear something like the American anthem or ”God Bless America” in movies. That America is great is something I just know, but if the American dream is true or not, i don’t know.

      For example in the end of the movie San Andreas after the catastrophic earthquake the American flag waving is in the background.

      Gilla

  2. In every movie created by an american company, the hero is always the Us. In all of the war movies the winner and good guy is America. When regarding sci-fi movies with aliens they are always landing and attacking the Us, disregarding the rest of the world. You will never see the aliens attacking smaller, less important nations like for example Belarus. Sweden isn’t one of the bigger, important nations either. When an american hears Sweden they might think about Ikea and Abba but that’s probably it. Sweden might also be known for it’s good, social healthcare and generous parental leave.

    Gilla

  3. In this short clip of ”Falling down” the main characters refers to America as the saviors of the world, for example when he tells the Korean man that his country help out Korea. Americans often call America the best country in the world, but outside America we don’t people call their own country the best country, mostly because we have a more realistic view of the world. Here in Sweden we don’t call Sweden the best country and that is because of a number of reasons, we know that every country has their good and bad things and we don’t have such a extreme view of the world.

    Gillad av 1 person

  4. In the film they have signs that show that they think they are chosen by God and they are living a good life, they seems confident in themselves and dont care about others often considered loud. When the ”main character” is in the store beating the Korean guy up it kind of proves my point, he comes into his store and destroys the place to teach the guy about being better towards americans and that he is charging too high prices. The text to me that americans think they are the best and that they deserve to rule the world.

    In Sweden I feel like our self image is more laid back, shy and considerate towards others. We dont wanna ruin someones day or disturb anyone in any way. Different from Americans who are more self centered

    Gilla

  5. You can just see the movie ”Team America: World Police” and than understand how the rest of the world thinks of America and their thinking that they are something special.

    Why America is NOT the greatest country in the world!

    This youtube clip is so good in showing how many of the population in america is not knowing the truth or are at least trying to know some facts about their own country, especially the young ones that gets blinded by the lies of the adults. I know the clip is sketched but the message that the video is trying to send is golden content.

    Sweden does send lies or are trying to build up a repetition like USA are doing, In Swedish history we were mighty vikings and with that fact we have been trying to saying to everybody that you should´t mess with the vikings. When we does say that we are kinda lying in a way to the world but at least we don´t claim that Sweden is the greatest country in the world !

    Gilla

  6. I would say that US think that they are better than every others and that they should have more right and everyone should respect them but Sweden is diffrent they think that every is worth the same treatment and have the same rigths.

    Gilla

  7. Generally in movies and such only America has a part in it, and there is not that big of an international involvement from other countries. Which there would be in real life.

    Typically Sweden in my eyes is a country that only wish to sustain itself and have little involvement in things they don’t need to. Could call it being neutral. But Sweden also wish to be a supportive country that can also stand on two feet.

    Gilla

  8. There are many movies that are centered around the US and if there is a movie about an apocalypse the US always has a part to play

    I think that Sweden is seen as a country that is very passiv and doesn’t want to get involved.

    Gilla

  9. everything is always centered in the US in movies and books like the US is the only good country. always in alien invasions its in the US, everything goes down in the US and also that they are the rulers of this world with their army and money.

    typically Swedish is wanting to go away or have better days in Sweden and instead of working so hard maybe take in chill and call in sick sometimes. I don’t think Sweden sees them selfs as the superior country.

    Gilla

  10. For example, in the book Ender’s Game, the russians were planning to attack the US and break the peace whilst the US was in control of the I.F and were exploring space and protecting against the buggers. This really shows the ”special role” that the americans feel they have. They are the ones protecting the world while all other nations on earth are only caring about territory and resources. The presidential election is everywhere in the news, despite the president only involving the US. Everywhere on news, English, American and Swedish can you see news about the presidential election and who is leading the polls right now.

    Sweden on the other hand is more neutral and politically correct. We only care about being OK and neutral towards everything and everyone. For hundreds of years have we only cared for ourselves and stayed neutral in wars and conflicts. Sweden also tries to be as accepting as possible and to let everyone who needs a safe home come to Sweden. Even though Sweden tries to be all this they sometimes fail and become a bit hippocratic, like they think that they are so democratic and neutral but sometimes in reality they are not.

    Gilla

  11. How do we see this in film, books and in the news?
    Most movies, especially action movies, has the Americans as the good guys and their enemies from the cold war, the Russians, as the bad guys. The Americans want to fight for their freedom and their capitalism against the evil communist Russia. This dream to live free and capitalism is not only showing in action movies, but also in other movie types like rom-coms, where often it is about finding the true love in country of the free. With different media sources like many news stations there is always something to report, like how good the US is compared with other countries,

    Sweden has perhaps a different self-image? What would you say is typically Swedish?
    Sweden has no really own self-image because of it’s neutrality. It’s most often influenced by other countries, like iw was influenced by the US during the Cold War. The typical Swedish is not to say anything and not believe that you’re not better then anyone, just that you are equal.

    Gilla

  12. For example, in the book Ender’s Game, the russians were planning to attack the US and break the peace whilst the US was in control of the I.F and were exploring space and protecting against the buggers. This really shows the ”special role” that the americans feel they have. They are the ones protecting the world while all other nations on earth are only caring about territory and resources. The presidential election is everywhere in the news, despite the president only involving the US. Everywhere on news, English, American and Swedish can you see news about the presidential election and who is leading the polls right now.

    Sweden on the other hand is more neutral and politically correct. We only care about being OK and neutral towards everything and everyone. For hundreds of years have we only cared for ourselves and stayed neutral in wars and conflicts. Sweden also tries to be as accepting as possible and to let everyone who needs a safe home come to Sweden. Even though Sweden tries to be all this they sometimes fail and become a bit hypocratic, like they think that they are so democratic and neutral but sometimes in reality they are not.

    Gilla

  13. In movies almost everyone big or well known has played in America and its always like americans actors that are playing in the movie and people don’t notice this but if you a good look you will se almost every movie is played in America och an American actor and why is it so, its because americans have a big impact in the world and people think its ”more interesting” if Americans are in the movie and that negates the others actors from the other countries like Sweden i only know one actor that are famous and that is Johan Falk and it shows its harder for other people and countries to have a big impact in movies because America takes the cake.

    America like we know that they think they have to be the center of attention because they are ”special” but in Sweden doesn’t care about that as much like other countries and Sweden want attention of course every country want attention but not be in attention in everything because almost everything that are in ”attention” we don’t care about that but America want to be in Attention in every thing even if doesn’t have something to do with them like Isis what they have done in Syria it had nothing to do with them but the still wanted the attention so the world would always look up to America and thats something people don’t like about America, its like America is the kid in school that always want attention and doesn’t care if they don’t help others they only want they should have attention. Ebola it came like a huge impact in the world people thought it would come to America and when they confirmed it would not come to America then Ebola didn’t come the news anymore but its still out there but only because it didn’t come to America it stopped coming to the news

    Noh Azlan Butt Te15

    Gilla

  14. We can see that US sees it self as special from the news. They think they are ”the police” of the world. The US is always there where is war and trying to save countries from communism. From films that are created by Americans we can see that the main character is always American. For example in the film called ”Falling down” the main character looks like basic American, a WASP.

    I think Sweden is more equal than US. Sweden accepts every kinds of people

    Gilla

  15. Well as I see it all the US have been like the most influential countries in the world. They have had the power to change and wage war to other countries. The US think that they are the leading country and they have the most power of all. Everyone wants to be rich there hence the American dream, being rich, live in a big mansion and having a family. In the medias we get to know what is happening there even though it doesn’t concern us, we get to know about their new president and what is happening there. We get to know all these because USA affects us all in one way. Speaking of media and news there is movies where the americans are the ones who saves the world without the help of other countries, there have been movies of an meteor hitting earth but there’s an over the average american who finds a way and destroys that meteor. They see themselves as something big, powerful and wise and are the ones who overcome everything that’s in their ways.

    I don’t see anything typical with us Swedes except that we are neutral, we didn’t interfere with the world war 2 and we didn’t want to get involved with that. Unlike USA I suppose that Swedes are less egoistic as them, we don’t see ourselves as something big or something that will change the world. We mind our own businesses and eat our meatballs and our Swedish ”sill” (which is not typical Swedish :^)).

    Gilla

  16. The us and it’s people are like trying hard to talk over other people conversation and try to be on top the others while felling confident that they are right. that they are the superior race/humans over others and good model for others to strive for. as humans they also want to strive for a greater cause to reach for new heights and move forward so they can show for the others they can to if they tried.

    we swedish people like köttbullar very much and right now Sweden is improving itself for it’s people and for those that are coming. We are becoming more acepting than before for other new people from other countries and by metting new people. that we are less self centered then the americans are about them self. that we care more about others care than our own and att the same time trying to improve ourself every day as human being.

    Gilla

  17. in the movies, books and news the whole world is aware what new president it is and what kind of accidents that happen there and the movies/books they make is know in the whole world. when there is a new statsminister in Sweden it is not as know as a new president in USA.

    i think Sweden is seen as a very normal country that doesn’t do much that unnormal.

    Gilla

  18. 1. For the Americans it´s very important to be seen and heard. The are very hyped in a way that is very clear in the American movies. The families are often using a very high tone, and do often compare themselves to each other. And it´s important to always be the best. In general, being best, the most beautiful and the most successful are the things that the Americans does put the focus on.

    2. The Swedish people does focus a lot on the way we look and the outfit we wear. But probably less in how much we are showing to others that we care about it. But the Swedish people aren´t that supersocial and does not really want to show to others how much they care about things. Probably because you don´t want be seen as a hubris dude.
    The typical Swedish is probably a nice wife, kids, a Volvo, a good work, paying their taxes, traveling, but does not boast about it.

    Gilla

  19. 1.Almost every film is maid in Hollywood. and the moves are based in USA nine times out off ten. i remember one move in particular. it was the lasted transformers move. mark wahlberg stars in it. the director was Michael bay. i started notising a strange thing. in like every scene a american flag was on the wall or in the air. And that is so typical in moves. A american living the american dream saving the world. and always the american flag pops up in the background. they always disables the power of the USA in moves. They are the one concurring all obstacles. in one way or the other.

    2. A guy or a girl how never takes credit of something. if a team was carried in a game by one player if that player is Swedish he won’t take the credit of it. He or she hade said that it was a team effort and he or she just contributed to the team and not that he carried the game. We are not the type of people that dot what the spotlight or not be the center of attention.

    Gilla

  20. For some reason all aliens in movies decide to land in America. The movies always end up well and there’s always a heroic story about how the USA saves the world and not the other countries. Superheroes in books and comics always save the USA. Lots of movies are made in Hollywood and I think that is one of the reasons they have a bigger impact on filming rather than books. Books are more common to be written by authors allover the world.
    News about american actors, singers and celebrities are very common. We see news about the american presidents (Obama, Trump) more often than other countries.

    Sweden is more the country that does not have to be saved. The country with stable economy, the country with Minecraft and youtubers where everybody is well and nobody there’s less segregation, racism and crimes.

    Gilla

  21. In American media and entertainment, america is often depicted as the hero or the greater. There is a strong feeling of unison, nationality and the strenght of the country. They say themselfs as people of a great land and creators of it. They are often seen/told of as as leaders of some sort of international organisation often competing or fighting against Russia or China(if not aliens). There are also, but seldom, stories of other countries but then there are connections to America in every way possible. There is a clear connection between Americans ”state-of-mind” and their way of taking to others or producing media. The really cool thing is that they are not trying to hide it, but that it is sort of a trademark or statement of themselfs and they are proud about it.

    Sweden is very different. We have a very timid and proffesional way of doing things compared to Americans. We want to have quiet on the train and busses and our media to be ”not to provoking”. I think our connection to Europe compared to the states that America have. We admit ourself to being a lot different to our neighbouring countries while the United States of America tries to stay UNITED. That gives us a reason to be more proffesional and held back to not provoke other countries while America only insults itself(which is much more acceptable). Since we are such an old country we don´t really care about our glorified history because it is so old compared to the American. We also started from nothing and have had the same kind of people for a long time while the Americans is a melting pot of cultures and opinions which makes it much more chaotic.

    Gilla

  22. Americans ar always the biggest and the strongest and will always win.

    Sweden is always a calm place with good looking girls with blond hair and blue eyes.

    Gilla

  23. I would say that half of the tv series are ”made” in US I understand that they have good actors and maybe better stories then rest of the worlds english show´s butt why but why is it so I don´t say that is bad butt why. And why have US involved in so many wars, I understand some of them butt for for example Vietnam war, Yugoslav War. Yes they are the head ”country” of NATO butt stil I don´t understand.

    I think Sweden is such a small country that it does not want to does not want to interfere in others’ affairs, and its because Swedish is quite Neutral.

    Gilla

  24. For instance, in the book ”The Speaker for the Dead”, the Russians in the book were trying to attack the US and break their peace while the US was in control of the I.F and was exploring spaces and fighting against the buggers. This shows us ”the style” that the Americans are having. They are the ones protecting the world with their weapons, while the other countries don’t. They are only caring about their resources. The US is everywhere in the news. It’s about

    In Sweden we’re neutral. We only care about what’s okay and not okay and try to be neutral to everyone. Sweden has stayed neutral in wars and conflicts for hundres years. Sweden has always tried to care about people’s lives.

    Gilla

  25. How do we see this in film, books and in the news?
    Americans usually portray themselves as the better. In most american movies (action movies in particular), the antagonist of the story is (more often than not) from another country (Usually Russia… Not always, but usually). While this is only in a minor sense, it still shows it. On the news it’s similar, when it’s presidential speeches they always talk about how great america is and americans in particular. In god we trust, so forth so forth (I don’t watch the news). In books it’s the exact same thing, as long as it’s an american author and it’s about America, they will more often than not somehow portray that they are better and superior. But all of this is only in a minor sense, they don’t write it out in capital letters saying ”AMERICA IS BETTER THAN EVERY OTHER COUNTRY, OUR PEOPLE ARE SUPERIOR, GOD ONLY LOVES US”. You get the point.

    Sweden is very different, Sweden has had its fair share of ”Superiority issues”, but over the last couple of years it has taken a turn. Instead of thinking they are superior, they give in to lots of outer pressure and such.

    Gilla

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