Argumentative essay on american dream: not real
Does America still provide access to the American Dream?, In your introduction, you should:
1. Define what YOU personally mean by the term ‘American Dream,/ (you CAN use one of our sources in your definition and it will count as one of your three-five)
2 Give an overview of why the American Dream is an Important part of American culture
3 Give your thesis (your answer to the question and general rationale)
In your body, you should
1 Establish your lines of argument/claims about how or why your stance is valid
2 Offer up evidence from 3-5 of our sources (use your planning document’)
3. Explain how your evidence supports your baby argument (claim) and the BIG argument (access to the American Dream) AND
4 Have at least ONE counterargument element This can be:
a A concession made in one of your claim paragraphs
b A full blown counterargument (refutation or rebuttal) paragraph in your essay
in your conclusion, you should
1. Review your stance
2. Provide a rationale/justification/explanation of why it Is important/significant that there is /is not / is uneven access to the American Dream today
Sample solution
Dante Alighieri played a critical role in the literature world through his poem Divine Comedy that was written in the 14th century. The poem contains Inferno, Purgatorio, and Paradiso. The Inferno is a description of the nine circles of torment that are found on the earth. It depicts the realms of the people that have gone against the spiritual values and who, instead, have chosen bestial appetite, violence, or fraud and malice. The nine circles of hell are limbo, lust, gluttony, greed and wrath. Others are heresy, violence, fraud, and treachery. The purpose of this paper is to examine the Dante’s Inferno in the perspective of its portrayal of God’s image and the justification of hell.
In this epic poem, God is portrayed as a super being guilty of multiple weaknesses including being egotistic, unjust, and hypocritical. Dante, in this poem, depicts God as being more human than divine by challenging God’s omnipotence. Additionally, the manner in which Dante describes Hell is in full contradiction to the morals of God as written in the Bible. When god arranges Hell to flatter Himself, He commits egotism, a sin that is common among human beings (Cheney, 2016). The weakness is depicted in Limbo and on the Gate of Hell where, for instance, God sends those who do not worship Him to Hell. This implies that failure to worship Him is a sin.
God is also depicted as lacking justice in His actions thus removing the godly image. The injustice is portrayed by the manner in which the sodomites and opportunists are treated. The opportunists are subjected to banner chasing in their lives after death followed by being stung by insects and maggots. They are known to having done neither good nor bad during their lifetimes and, therefore, justice could have demanded that they be granted a neutral punishment having lived a neutral life. The sodomites are also punished unfairly by God when Brunetto Lattini is condemned to hell despite being a good leader (Babor, T. F., McGovern, T., & Robaina, K. (2017). While he commited sodomy, God chooses to ignore all the other good deeds that Brunetto did.
Finally, God is also portrayed as being hypocritical in His actions, a sin that further diminishes His godliness and makes Him more human. A case in point is when God condemns the sin of egotism and goes ahead to commit it repeatedly. Proverbs 29:23 states that “arrogance will bring your downfall, but if you are humble, you will be respected.” When Slattery condemns Dante’s human state as being weak, doubtful, and limited, he is proving God’s hypocrisy because He is also human (Verdicchio, 2015). The actions of God in Hell as portrayed by Dante are inconsistent with the Biblical literature. Both Dante and God are prone to making mistakes, something common among human beings thus making God more human.
To wrap it up, Dante portrays God is more human since He commits the same sins that humans commit: egotism, hypocrisy, and injustice. Hell is justified as being a destination for victims of the mistakes committed by God. The Hell is presented as being a totally different place as compared to what is written about it in the Bible. As a result, reading through the text gives an image of God who is prone to the very mistakes common to humans thus ripping Him off His lofty status of divine and, instead, making Him a mere human. Whether or not Dante did it intentionally is subject to debate but one thing is clear in the poem: the misconstrued notion of God is revealed to future generations.
References
Babor, T. F., McGovern, T., & Robaina, K. (2017). Dante’s inferno: Seven deadly sins in scientific publishing and how to avoid them. Addiction Science: A Guide for the Perplexed, 267.
Cheney, L. D. G. (2016). Illustrations for Dante’s Inferno: A Comparative Study of Sandro Botticelli, Giovanni Stradano, and Federico Zuccaro. Cultural and Religious Studies, 4(8), 487.
Verdicchio, M. (2015). Irony and Desire in Dante’s” Inferno” 27. Italica, 285-297.
Sample Answer
Sample Answer
The Illusion of the American Dream: Uneven Access in Contemporary America
Introduction
The concept of the American Dream has long been ingrained in the fabric of American culture, symbolizing the belief that anyone, regardless of their background or circumstances, can achieve prosperity and success through hard work and determination. Personally, the American Dream embodies the ideals of upward mobility, opportunity, and the pursuit of happiness. While the American Dream has served as a powerful motivator for generations of Americans, its realization has become increasingly elusive for many in contemporary society.
Importance of the American Dream in American Culture
The American Dream has played a pivotal role in shaping the national identity and ethos of the United States. It embodies the values of individualism, self-reliance, and the promise of a better future for oneself and one’s family. The notion that hard work and merit can lead to social and economic advancement has been a driving force for millions of immigrants and citizens alike, fueling ambition and perseverance in the pursuit of success.
Thesis Statement
In today’s America, access to the American Dream is not universally attainable, as systemic inequalities and structural barriers hinder the ability of many individuals to achieve upward mobility and economic prosperity. While the American Dream remains a potent symbol of aspiration and opportunity, its realization is contingent upon factors such as socioeconomic status, race, and access to resources.
Body
Unequal Opportunities for Economic Advancement
The widening wealth gap in the United States has created significant disparities in access to economic opportunities. Research from sources such as the Pew Research Center and the Economic Policy Institute highlights how income inequality continues to grow, making it increasingly challenging for individuals from lower-income backgrounds to achieve financial stability and upward mobility.
Systemic Barriers to Social Mobility
Structural inequities embedded within American society, such as unequal access to quality education, healthcare, and employment opportunities, perpetuate cycles of poverty and limit the ability of marginalized communities to fulfill their aspirations. Studies by organizations like the Center for American Progress underscore how systemic racism and discrimination hinder the advancement of minority groups, creating barriers to realizing the American Dream.
Impact of Economic Recession and Social Inequities
The economic repercussions of events like the Great Recession and the Covid-19 pandemic have further exacerbated existing inequalities and diminished prospects for achieving economic security. Reports from sources like the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis demonstrate how economic downturns disproportionately affect vulnerable populations, deepening divisions in access to the American Dream.
Counterargument Element: The Myth of Meritocracy
While proponents of the American Dream argue that success is achievable through individual effort and merit, critics point out that systemic injustices and inherent biases within societal structures undermine the meritocratic ideal. Acknowledging this critique is essential in understanding the complexities of achieving upward mobility in a society marked by unequal opportunities.
Conclusion
In conclusion, while the American Dream continues to hold a place of significance in American culture, its realization remains elusive for many in today’s society. Uneven access to economic opportunities, systemic barriers to social mobility, and persistent inequalities underscore the challenges that individuals face in achieving prosperity and success. Recognizing and addressing these disparities is crucial in fostering a more equitable society where all Americans have a genuine opportunity to pursue their version of the American Dream.
