Author and Cultural Historian Jim Cullen discussed The American Dream and how it relates to this year’s Big Read book, The Great Gatsby. Dr. Cullen spoke to a group of about twenty at Barnes & Noble on October 12 giving a brief history of F. Scott Fitzgerald, his thoughts on “The American Dream”, how this theme flowed through Fizgerald’s novel and still resonates through American culture from Hollywood to Main Street. Dr. Cullen teaches History at the Ethical Fieldston School in New York City.
The American Dream! Who doesn’t have it? The term was first used by James Adams in `The Epic of America.’ He defined the phrase as the `dream of a land in which life should be better and richer and fuller for everyone, with opportunity for each according to ability or achievement.’ Jay Gatsby from ‘The Great Gatsby’ is a good example of someone who follows the American Dream. Born in a poor family with no social or financial status, Jay rises to a social status of some worth. That he rose to this position with `ill-gotten money’ is another story. Shmoop.com helped me a lot in getting my perspective right.
That he rose to this position with `ill-gotten money’ is another story. Shmoop.com helped me a lot in getting my perspective right.
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“American Dream” and American culture are closely intertwined. In order to achieve the “American dream”, to explore, understand and penetrate American culture!
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