[jufa]

When one looks at the reality of the question: “Are there mythological elements in the American Dream?” it will be found the American Dream is tied to myth, fallacy, and freedom. The fallacy of the myth and freedom is one can achieve what is dreampt materially, but fall short by the prevailing tendency of prejudice, political, social, economic control, and freedom inhibited.

The myth is the American Dream is applicable equally, it is not. To indicate “the set of ideals in which freedom includes the opportunity for prosperity and success, as well as an upward social mobility for the family and children, achieved through hard work in a society with few barriers” leave out the freedom of certain ethnics groups by the enforcement of a sociological system which looks at some Americans as 2nd & 3rd class citizens.

This is not a political statement, it is a myth that the American Dreams serves all Americans equally and justly and is available “with few barriers” to the pursuit of Freedom.

 

[Stephen Gerringer]

Point is well taken, Jufa. Of course, you are using “myth” in the popularly understood sense of a lie, rather than the way Joseph Campbell employs the term (as metaphor for a deeper truth).

Your words ring true. That is why, when teaching secondary school students, I would point out that “the American Dream” is more an aspiration than a fact; though we have fallen far short of the American Dream, it is a direction and destination worth pursuing.

[jufa]

You are correct Stephen in the way myth is used.  It is in the circle of life. In a more abstract way, it is the inner journey of the hero also.

[Mars]

Good topic to be started (by jufa, thanks, good link in profile): JC being an american scholar interpreting myth of miriad times, it is (to refer to his example) just a bulb of many lighting the auditorium, this very platform of many. So, to distinguish interpretation from generalisms, the question in this topic boils down to:

What is ‘The American Dream’?

Castouts of Europe, slavery, wild west, individuality, materialism, singlesideness, responsibleness, egoism. Left over for the slightly (cough) less priviliged: religion, hope, poverty, death. A dollar with two sides, one paying, the other purchasing. Money as is debt. An infinite world as a promise for all on a finite world. Sure. Something to believe in. Come in peace and shoot to kill. Exploit. The world, the universe is expecting us. We live forever. Our is ours. Humans are gods, emporers of the creation. Hail hail hail sings the angry crowd, robbed of their assumed rightfull privileges. aMErica first. The everlasting dream.

Just crap.

Its not a myth, its a fairy tale. It’s not a belief, its promise everyone can achieve. Heritage, plain luck or stubborness might give you a free ride, but you’re the exemption, not the rule. It is this very exemption, this oddity, to where the people wish to burn their candles for, to worship, to die for. To burn all which does not comply. The rule of the Mule. That immortal dream.

This fine fusion of facts, fiction, belief, religion, and myth. Everyone can cope with it, everyone is capable of direction this into ones own perfect life and realisation. And when the eyes are closed finally, one is assured of a blessfull everlasting other immortal dream.

Just crap. (Sorry folks.)

Of all things, myth has (almost) nothing to do with rationality. Dreams are expressions of the subconsious and better stay there. If lifted to our daily reality, war, havoc, wrath and all tender human characterisations, our ‘gods’, emerge to take over. Kneeling and submitting, or raising and facing. Choises.

 

 

[jufa]

This mind journey of conquering the mountaintop of intellectualism begins afar or near. It begins at the fringe of the mountain for some, and at the foot of the mountain, or on the mountain itself for others.  All are vagabonds in pursuit of the mountain’s peak. And no matter what any individual has accumulated and crowded in the storehouse of their souls there is no rest to be found within their house, only rays of light breaking through small openings.

The accumulation of inherited knowledge, human wisdom, and they say information, as all their material toys of matter and self-righteous superior egos,  people will come to find, will disappear just as those things did of the wandering vagabonds who came before them so room for the next recruits of temporary vagabonds, who as them will follow the patterns of relativism.

Eventually all men will come to comprehend every portion of their journeys have been no different in principles nor patterns than any one else’s. In some moment of recognition of the principles and patterns. some will come to understand the routes taken by them have been the same grueling experiences all have taken at some point of their living. Some routes more painful, some more pleasurable, some with, some without.  Some will come to understand they are no better or worse than anyone else, for the principles of achieving the peak epiphany, the American Dream, the Holy Grail they believe will move them beyond their thoughts is there for all to reach, touch, hold, and claim ownership of. Life is opened to everyone equally regardless of the appearance. The use of the principles and patterns is activated according to the advancement of how high one is willing to go to experience the ultimate suffering unto death the physical climb from animalism require for ascending the roads the mountain provides for ascension into the Spirit substance and essence of the climbers.

[Author]

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