American Dream: Annotated Bibliography

Putnam, Robert D. Our kids: The American dream in crisis. Simon and Schuster, 2016.

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The American dream as understood in the years of 1950's in Ohio was alive and the area offered equal opportunities to all residents, regardless of their background. Half a century later, the place has changed to a nightmare where kids are split between those in the wrong side and those on the right side and they all have different and uncertain futures. The story of Port Clinton in Ohio is a typical example of how America has changed. The American dream and religion are closely related as the kids brought up in religion have a different view of the American dream.

Sternheimer, Karen. Celebrity culture and the American dream: Stardom and social mobility. Routledge, 2014.

The nature of celebrities in America and the American dream has changed over time due to the way the culture has changed too. Stardom and social mobility have changed and the American dream as we know it today has been shaped by the religious beliefs and how people view celebrity. The fan magazines written between 1911 and today show the same trend. The state of stardom and fame was different in the early days as compared to the current days, which determines the future of the American dream with regard to stardom. The use of the internet and the social media has also changed the spread of wealth the suburban utopia. The book also explains how the fantasy in the seventies and sixties and how it has been challenged today.

Martin, Joel. Screening the Sacred: Religion, myth, and ideology in popular American film. Routledge, 2018.

The book explains the use of the films to express and explain the American dream. The book also explains the popular religion in America and how the popular cultural forms shape the ecclesiastical institutions and determine the impacts of some of the holidays like the Thanksgiving and Memorial Day. The book gives a comprehensive explanation of how the religion is connected to the achievement of the American dream. It also explains how films can be used to shape the secular society, ethical archetypes, and ideologies. The book gives the mythological, theological and ideological criticism about religion and the American dream.

Cornuelle, Richard C. Reclaiming the American dream: The role of private individuals and voluntary associations. Routledge, 2017.

The book explains how thirty years down the line, the American dream has changed over time and the political class has failed to capture the interests of the people. However, it requires more publication to be made public to the citizens. The dream needs to be connected to the religious beliefs and refreshed to remain alive to the current generation. The concern of the independent sector has been explained in the book and it explains the need to refresh it. The book explains how the dream is memorable, lucid and engaging. The progress of the dream is dependent on the efforts put by the authorities.

Description of the Topic Statement

The American dream refers to the national ethos of the United States which explains the set of ideal ideas that the country expects. It is composed of the ideal level of democracy, human rights, equality, employment, and freedom. It also explains the expectations of an environment whereby all people have equal chances to succeed, total liberty and chances for social mobility. All people have a right to pursue their own happiness and a right to life. It is the view that all people, regardless of their social class or their background, can have their own version of success. The internet has changed the American dream and the changes have attracted the need to republish the dream to make it known more to the current generation. The religion has also affected the American dream because if the teachings, beliefs and views practices in it. The diverse religious beliefs affect the dissemination and understanding of the dream.

Works Cited

Cornuelle, Richard C. Reclaiming the American dream: The role of private individuals and voluntary associations. Routledge, 2017.

Martin, Joel. Screening the Sacred: Religion, myth, and ideology in popular American film. Routledge, 2018.

Putnam, Robert D. Our kids: The American dream in crisis. Simon and Schuster, 2016.

Sternheimer, Karen. Celebrity culture and the American dream: Stardom and social mobility. Routledge, 2014.