1.What is the genre?
2.Who is speaking in the text?
3.What
is his view on the American Dream?
4.React to his view on Capital
punishment? How is this view related to the American Dream?
5.Discuss
his view upon love and marriage
6.Is his view upon the American
Dream exceptional?
7.What seems to be the topic?
8.To whom
is the text directed?
9.How does our generation seek the American
Dream? Has the concept changed?
10.Put into perspective to the declaration of indpendence.
1. Interview
ReplyDelete2. Adam
3. For him, American Dream is about to be wealthy in dollar terms. He thinks that money can buy happiness but only if you're a good and smart person. Then money will definitely make things easier for you.
5. He view marriage as a merger - meaning union of two interests rather than the binding of two souls until death do they part. It's about becoming a well balanced team, to navigate life together. To make personal sacrifices for the good of the team and to help each other achieve their goals.
6. No, it's pretty typical nowadays.
7. Adam's point of view of the American Dream.
-Anna Olsen
Money will often make things easier - I think everyone agrees on that. But the problem is that he is very mechanical in the way of viewing things as if he does not have a heart - this also shows in his view on marriage and love.
DeleteYes, one topic is the American Dream, this interview was one of many that sought to see how people all over America looked upon it. And the outcome was that most people´s view on this was based on their backgrounds, hence if you were poor their dream would just be to be able to take care of their family some way or the other. Whereas Adam is different because he is so self- centrered.
9.Maybe the concepts have changed. Today we chase the perfect life. I don´t think that our generation seek the American dream in the same way as we did in the nineties. In the nineties it was more fast money and then we were happy. Today we want the prefect live whit all that it involves.
ReplyDeletePerhaps that is because you are older and wiser;) Consumption has changed immensely and we want more money, fame and material goods than ever. Just take a look at all the reality shows, those were absent in the nineties. Today is about making it, and I would actually say that people - especially the youth - are chasing the American dream more than ever. We are getting Americanized and forgetting the important things in life, thus the big intake of Prozac (pills against stress and depression)
Delete1. It is an article, an interview.
ReplyDelete2. Adam, a banker from America
3. His American dream is to be filthy rich. He also thinks that the typical American dream of so and so much material goods and fixed mortgages is dreaming too small.
4. I think he is putting it in very harsh phrases, when he talks about shooting people behind the barn. But he is right; western societies spend way too much money on criminals and taking care of them in prison instead of doing something serious about the problem.
5. He sees a marriage as a merging of finances and as a team effort. He thinks he can be richer by having the right wife.
6. Not at all. People all want to be rich. I would very much like to be rich!
7. The topic is mo’ money, mo’ money, mo’ money. Or the idea that you have to have money to be happy and that you create your own faith. Be smart about your choices and you can be as rich as you want.
8. A new view of the American dream. Adams version of this view.
9. People today has changed to American dream to be more like “get rich and famous and be happy” whereas 50 years ago it was to have a good job, a nice house and to be able to provide for your family and to do so in a more than satisfying way –if you were a man.
10. Well, the American dream is to pursue happiness and make it on your own; that is basically what the Declaration of independence is all about.
Remember not to be too subjective when analysing a text. Also his view on capital punishment is rather descriptive of how he sees the poor and wretched in society. Doing something about the problem in his eyes, would be to shoot criminals down - perhaps that is your idea as well (which is fine) - but that would hardly take away the problem. I think being put in an American jail cell for decades would seem like hell to anyone.
DeleteI do not think his view is exceptional. I think it shows a new way of seeing things. A way in which family values are left aside to the more hard core ones, and this is something that is on the rise. as you mention in question 9.
The genre is an Article told by the one who is interviewing Adam. Adam's point of view of the American dream is to be wealthy/rich, have a big house, fancy car(s), that you can buy yourself to happiness, all that is something Adam wishes to have, including a wife to have as a teammate and not much for the sake of love.
ReplyDeleteI understand his reason for thinking about death penalty for criminals, though he speaks of it very harshly like; you are ether criminal and bugging the society and has to die, not because you kill people, but because you cost society a lot of money. So you should just get a grip, get a job and a life and stop wasting it.
People in America now and days, still wishes to get rich and sometimes famous, so nothing is different from back then.
The topic of the text is about money, living a great and rich life filled with, well, money.
I think it has changed the concept. When the United States of America started their crusade to become independent from Britain and make the foundations of a country in which their would be room for everyone, and where everyone sought to establish their own happiness, they had better possibilities (or some had). Also the ties to family were much thicker than what Adam is illustrating here. You can buy happiness, you buy love, which is a concept that has changed - or so I hope. But obviously this is not what everyone in America wish or how they see it. Nonetheless, a part of it.
Delete
ReplyDelete1) It is an article based on an interview.
2) Michael Lee Cohen is the interviewer, speaking on behalf of Adam.
3) For Adam the American dream is to be fabulously wealthy in dollar terms.
4) He believes in the idea of buying happiness.
Adam does not believe in the current justice system. He is more in favour for a more progressive system. He refer to the way it is in other countries. Like how parts of South America dials with criminals repeating their crimes, by shooting them. Adam sees that as a value cause it saves taxpayers money. He see that as unnecessary tax payment and that reflect pretty much his liberal view on the American dream, where money plays a big roll.
5) He sees marriage as a way of optimizing. He require much of his wife, but at the same time does he not find it as a burden to do homely deeds.
It is perhaps a bit naïve to think of marriage as a way to optimize success. What if you do not end up on the winning team? Is the marriage or even family worth nothing then.
6) His view on the American dream is pretty average, I would say. The land of opportunity's is full of profit seeking people.
7) Money and success equal happiness.
8) It is directed to no one and everyone.
9) I think our generation is separated in too many perceptions of the American dream. Some find happiness in money, others seek some less martial values. I do not think that the concept has changed.
10) I believe it says that it is our right to seek happiness in any way we please, as long as we do not compromise the laws and human rights protected by the declaration of independence.
You make some good points.In terms of the putting into perspective to the declaration, Adam finds much inspiration here. It shows exactly what you say that anyone can seek their happiness in whatever way they find fit. But it is rather interesting that we can interpret the document in whichever way one wishes. There is one problem though - with the land of opportunities - not everyone is born with Adam´s background and therefore the dream is not possible for everyone. This is the problem with Adam, he cannot see what is wrong with America. He thinks that everyone should bear responsibility for their own fate, however, if one is born in the ghetto and as you mention, South Africa, one may not have the same possibilities in life or choices than to go out and steal the bread of the day.
DeleteAdams view on the American dream is that everyone has equal opportunities to attain their dreams. That if you are only smart enough, and work hard enough you can achieve what ever you desire. His own American dream is to become ridiculously rich in terms of money.
ReplyDeleteI feel that his view on capitol punishment is very harsh. For many people, two strikes is not enough to get to the right path. I have known many people through out my life who has struggled for at long time to get a better life. Some succeeded, and some didn´t. For those who did succeed I am really happy that we don´t have capitol punishment -because I dint think that everyone are born with the same opportunities! … well, maybe they have the same opportunities, but the don´t have the same preconditions. If you are born in to a family with problems of different types, drug-abuse, poverty, violence, etc, it might be hard to gather all your energy and focus on for example your education. Adam was brought up in a family that supported him all the way, and that makes it a lot easier for him to attain his dreams. I don´t think he has a realistic view on the American dream and how it´s not equal for all, and that was what it was all about. Equal opportunities to chase your dreams.
When I read about his view on marriage, I an not told anything about love until the story-teller tells about it in brackets. That Adam feels it was given. And when Adam tells that he wouldn´t have anything against staying home, watching out for the kids, cleaning toilets and cooking, I believe that he really feels that love is given. I think that in some way, he is made to look a bit more hardhearted than he might be. That said, it really seems as though he needs a woman who is mentally like him. Someone who can contribute in a way that matches his commitment. A co-partner rather than at tender lover.
- Maria
Very good answer and perspective on Adam´s view on capital punishment.
Deleteto your answer about marriage, well, I am not sure whether it is to make him look bad - Lee Cohen actually just writes what he saying (with some subjective comments along the way)- or whether he is perhaps a little naive when it comes to love. He may not have been in love, or allowed himself to be in love. One cannot judge him from his view of love, perhaps it just adds some to his character, which is somewhat mechanic.
I don´t think Adams view on the American dream is exceptional. I really think that it is a question of who you ask. If you ask someone from a well-functional family with no problems like poverty, loneliness, violence and abuse -and this person does not have the ability to put things into perspective, I would say yes, they would probably feel the same way as Adam. If you would ask someone from that other part of society, the answer would probably be of another character. Even though Adam tells about people of all races, from different kinds of environments succeeding in moving up and out out their social class, it is only a minority who does so. Why would there still be so many in that low social class if it was so easy to climb up? It must be a sign that it isn´t so easy after all.
ReplyDeleteThe topic of the text seems to be how the American dream is fulfilling to this person Adam. But somehow I also feels that the text questions if the American dream has made Adam a complete person. In some ways if feel as though this interview makes Adam seem unwise in matters of real value. I don´t know if Adam makes it all on his own, or how the way of editing the interview and exposing it as an article helps along. In some way I like Adam and I can follow some of his thoughts. Like money can make you happy if you are smart any choose to team up with the right people. In another way I really don´t like him, and that is because of his lack of perspective and understanding for people outside of his own social class. In some way I feel as though this article tells the reader, that pursuing the American dream and obtaining it, may not be all there is to life. At least not if the American dream is all about money and possessions. … I just had a thought. All this made me think about the way we define the American dream. Maybe this article was written to make people reevaluate the meaning of the American dream. What is true value?!
- Maria Louise
Well, it is not without proof that the saying goes, the more money you make, the more blue you vote. Being a socialist is something that one is when one is young and an idealist (without much money in the making).
DeleteIt is not written for people to reevaluate the dream, the interview is published in a book with hundreds of other people´s perspective on the American Dream. Cohen travelled cross the country to hear what people had to say about it and how their backgrounds reflected their view on it. So you are right his view is deeply coloured by his social background (so are the rest). However, it is rather evident that Cohen does not share his view, but he would love to have him handle his affairs.
I am not really sure who this article is directed towards. I am not even sure that my interpretation of the topic is correct.. but if I stick to my ideas, I would say that this article is meant for the middle-class. In my opinion this article is a way of showing them, the middle-class, that yes, you can make a lot of money and I some ways that will make you comfortable, but if it makes you look at the one who should be your soul mate, as a business partner, is it all that great afterwards? As I said above, I think it wants people to reevaluate their looks on the American dream being one of money and possessions, into becoming one of love, companionship and love for thy neighbour.
ReplyDeleteI really do think that the American dreams has changed! Well in some ways at least. I still think that it is about obtaining that suburban house with a garden and a white picket fence, but people have become more individual and many are not as concerned with raising a family in the same manner as was the norm once. Many people have become individual projects and as the media has become more influential, I think it sets the example for how an ultimate individual should be like. Well that is if people lets media take over their opinion of value. When commercials started to create needs in people that they might have done fine without before, that´s when I think it got out of hand. When greedy people with the chance to make a lot of money on manipulating other people to buy their stuff, and truly make them believe that this product would make them happy -that´s when the American dream was changed from being an opportunity to obtain what was essential to a good life without useless crap, into a world where people are lead to believe that this crap will make them happy. Or more beloved. More sexy. Respected on a higher level. It´s so sad, really. And the fact that we are able to buy all this crap, shows us that some guy was successful in his American dream -making money! Whit only the intend to make himself happy.
When putting into perspective to the declaration of independence, and sticking to my idea of the article, it matches really well. When it is necessary to separate from something that does no longer serve the you, and in some way seems destructive because of misleading guidance, it is your right to dissolve the bands. This can be done if people begin a general self-examination and redefine what to them is true value, and stop following mainstream expectations. People should stop submitting to the expectations they make them selves believe, they have to live up to. If they are able to see and understand this, they might not be so far away from dissolving the band.
- maria louise
You do take this interpretation out for a spin;) But you do make some good points and especially when you write about the rise in individualism. Here we can definitely see that some of these traditional family values have changed quite a bit to becoming more about material goods than the softer values in life.
DeleteNot sure I understand your comparison with the declaration of Independence. as Adam actually thinks according to the document- one must work for their own happiness. He does not want to pay a lot of tax to the state and to those worse off because he thinks that the money he has earned is his own - think Whitman " I sing my melodious songs” = I make my own money, words and pays to no one but myself. This is how America started out.
1) It is an article based on an interview.
ReplyDelete2) Michael Lee Cohen is the interviewer, speaking on behalf of Adam.
3) For Adam the American dream is to be fabulously wealthy in dollar terms.
4) He believes in the idea of buying happiness.
Adam does not believe in the current justice system. He is more in favour for a more progressive system. He refer to the way it is in other countries. Like how parts of South America dials with criminals repeating their crimes, by shooting them. Adam sees that as a value cause it saves taxpayers money. He see that as unnecessary tax payment and that reflect pretty much his liberal view on the American dream, where money plays a big roll.
5) He sees marriage as a way of optimizing. He require much of his wife, but at the same time does he not find it as a burden to do homely deeds.
It is perhaps a bit naïve to think of marriage as a way to optimize success. What if you do not end up on the winning team? Is the marriage or even family worth nothing then.
- Mike