Musical Exploration of The American Dream
Dreams, goals, plans. Every person envisions a particular future filled with success.
These dreams are products of upbringing, background, history, place, personality, and experiences.
For most people, many of these dreams will be realized while others will not come to fruition.
The American Dream has changed over the years.
What the first immigrants envisioned no longer holds true for modern day Americans.
But the basic goals still remain—love, happiness, success, freedom—these constitute the lasting American Dream.
How is the American Dream represented in the following
songs? CHOOSE ONE SONG and describe HOW the American
Dream is represented...what view of the American Dream is
depicted?
Which dreams are realistic and which are unrealistic?
Match the characters from The Great Gatsby to the song
that best represents them. Use LINES from the lyrics in your response.
"Glory Days" by Bruce Springsteen best represents Daisy from The Great Gatsby. Daisy is best represented by this song because in this song it is talking about a girl and a guy who used to have a lot of fun back together in the "glory days". This girl would "turn all the boy's heads" just like Daisy did in Great Gatsby. This song reminds me of Daisy and Gatsby's relationship back in their "Glory Days" of when they were together. This song also represents Daisy because in this song it is talking about the girl and how "her and her husband well they split up". This reminds me of Daisy because even though her and her husband are still married it is like they split up because there relationship isn't there anymore and Tom continually cheats on Daisy which means he isn't fully into the relationship anymore because he can't just commit to her. The American Dream is represented in "Glory Days" because it is talking about people working hard, and how the guy just wants to be happy with this girl he used to have a thing a long time ago. This is representing the American dream because it is a dream to have a nice husband/wife and be hard working to make enough money to support yourself. This song also shows though that the dream is a little lost because things aren't the same as they once were in the "Glory Days". The narrator's father was a very hard worker but they "let him go" because he was "too old". The american Dream to always be stable is unrealistic and is shown in this song because if that father worked hard on the line for 20 years you would think they would keep him from his dedication but they let him go which shows you're not always safe.
ReplyDeleteHey sydney, great response I really liked how many connections you made to the song in the book. For example when you quoted "This song reminds me of Daisy and Gatsby's relationship back in their "Glory Days" of when they were together." This is such a great connection because it really resembles how happy and glorious it was for Gatsby and Daisy back in the day.
DeleteI like how Sydney connected the song "Glory Days" to Daisy. Her connections was very detailed and I like how she said "turn all the boy's heads, just like Daisy did in the Great Gatsby".
DeleteDear Sydney,
DeleteI found some of the same exact connections between the song Glory Days by Bruce Springsteen and Daisy! Although, I didn't make the connection between Daisy and Gatsby's relationship to the song but I think that's perfect! Daisy and Gatsby had a relationship in their "Glory Days" and now in the book they're looking back on it and I think they both want it back just like the song talks about.
I agree with your idea of the American dream and how it is represented. Christine Jasonis
DeleteHi Sydney, I like how you were able to accurately connect to the past and how well you connected the songs to the characters. You did an excellent job on it and you put a lot of effort into it. Matt Sniffen
DeleteThe dreams that are realistic are love and happiness, these are something that you can make yourself but success and freedom are all held back by the government and others. In the song Little Pink Houses the lines "But just like everything else those old crazy dreams just kinda came and went" can show everyone at the valley of ashes. They all grew up thinking that they had a fair chance to get ahead in life but it all got cut short by some factor. The song Fast Car, Gatsby can relate to probably by the line "Maybe together we can get somewhere anyplace is better" because since he met Daisy he's always wanted to go away with her and especially know that she is married he is trying even harder to win her back. The song America could be for Myrtle because of the line "got a dream to take them there they're coming to America". She is constantly trying to get ahead with Tom and she thinks that her dreams will come true some day but she's being quite naive about it. The song Glory Days can again be for the valley of ashes because of the line "glory days well they'll pass you by" because they all thought they were going to make it somewhere but randomly their dreams will be taken away from them. In the song This Land is Your Land could represent the way Tom thinks of America. By the line "now that side was made for you and me!" definitely shows how he thinks about East Egg, West Egg and the Valley of Ashes. One side is for people born with money in their family the other is for people with work for their money and the valley is for those who failed in their dreams.
ReplyDeleteThe American dream has changed over the years and is now about making money and having an easy life. The current American dream is represented best in the song “Fast Car”. Everyone these days is always moving fast, searching for a better life. They don’t take the time to realize what they have, they just get in a fast car and go wherever the road takes them. In the song it says “You got a fast car And I got a job that pays all our bills You stay out drinking late at the bar See more of your friends than you do of your kids I'd always hoped for better Thought maybe together you and me would find it I got no plans I ain't going nowhere So take your fast car and keep on driving” This shows how the American dream is less family oriented and more about easy living and doing whatever you want. Unrealistic dreams are that you are going to get wealthy and rich from doing nothing. The realistic dream that used to exist is that if you work hard you will get rewarded fairly. The song “This Land is Your Land” best matches Jay Gatsby. He is wealthy and shares his home and property to everyone. No matter who shows up at his house he invites them in, he is the least selfish man in the Great Gatsby and really embodies that “this land is your land, this land is my land.” The song “Little Pink Houses” resembles Tom Buchanan because he is a stereotypical man from the past who believes that women should be doing their job in the kitchen, “And there's a women, in the kitchen Cleaning up the evenin' slop. And he looks at her and says 'Hey darlin' I remember when you could stop a clock.'” The American dream has changed over the years but has always and still is about happiness and freedom.
ReplyDeleteI like how Samantha connects the future and the past in the conclusion sentence. It really wraps everything up and puts it all together. Good job!
DeleteHow is the American Dream represented in the following songs? CHOOSE ONE SONG and describe HOW the American Dream is represented...what view of the American Dream is depicted?
ReplyDeleteIn the first song, 'This Land is Your Land', it makes it seem that everyone is welcome to the United States to make a living and be happy. It refers to the deserts, to 'diamond deserts'. It also refers to most other things that would normally be neutral, or just what they are normally in other countries. But in the USA, it's diamond deserts. It also keeps saying how the land is made for 'you and me'. It's the old American Dream illusion that everyone is welcome in the US, and that everyone will do good and achieve great things.
Which dreams are realistic and which are unrealistic?
They're unrealistic in terms that they keep saying that the land is so great, and that's it's the home of the brave and free. Not everyone can make a living off of the US. Not everyone will be like Gatsby, and live in Ivy grown houses (whether the ivy be new or old). Not everyone can be free because of gender/ethnic discrimination.
Match the characters from The Great Gatsby to the song that best represents them. Use LINES from the lyrics in your response.
This land is your land, this land is my land - Gatsby to all of his 'moths', because they come to his parties and do whatever they want.
I saw below me a golden valley - Myrtle, because she saw an opportunity in Nick to get rich while cheating.
As I was walkin' - I saw a sign there - Gatsby looking at the green light.
Living in a black neighbourhood - West Egg.
Ya know he thinks, he's got it so good - Nick, thinking about Gatsby.
Well there's people and more people - Daisy, when she's at Gatsby's party.
In the song automatic by Miranda Lambert she sings about how everything was better before everything we used as humans became automatic. She says that “when everything is handed to you, its only worth as much as the time put in”, this means that if you take the time to write a letter and send it to someone it would mean much more and have more value rather than sending an e-mail. The american dream is represented in this song by how the old fashioned days were lived. Simple, sweet and everyone was happy with what they had because they earned it, because it wasn't just given to them. So it meant much more to them. For example, if you save for a car and you work hard for it and you finally had enough money for a car and you went an bought it, you’d be more thankful, accomplished and you have achieved your goal. The american dream is all about goals and reaching them. When you have accomplished something that took hard earned money and time into achieve something it makes you happy, no matter how long it takes, your going to push forward to what you want to have. People make there own American dream because its what they personally want in life. So no matter what it is you can always have a dream whether it's realistic or unrealistic. I think that Tom Buchanan is best matched to this song because hes a very successful business man that made it for himself. He worked hard to get to the top and get the money he has. “What ever happened to doing it all by hand.” This line from the song is saying how you have to work up to what you want because that what you deserve to get. You work for what you want and this is how Tom connects to this song. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0ttxaElLsLk
ReplyDeleteIt shows how the American Dream has changed, for example, in the song "This Land is Your Land" it shows how people valued caring, however the modern song "Fast Car" shows how values have changed because it represents money and being the best, rather than compassion.
ReplyDeleteThe song that is unrealistic is "This Land Is Your Land" because not many people today are willing to share and show compassion over their own narcissism. Therefore, the "Fast Car" song is more realistic because it represents how people today are so caught up in there appearances and social status, represented by the sports car.
Gatsby is represented by a the line in "Fast Car" where it says "Maybe together we can get somewhere -- Anyplace is better". This represents Gatsby because that is what he says he wants to do with Daisy, to run away with her. Daisy is represented by the line in "Glory Days" when it says "We just sit around talking about the old times, she says when she feels like crying" because Daisy misses the old times she had with Gatsby and isn't happy now with her life with Tom. Nick is represented by the line in "This Land Is Your Land" when it says "This land was made for you and me". This line represents Nick because he wishes harm on no one and tries to be friendly to everyone he meets. While it is the intention of the song, and it doesn't always succeed with the no tresspasin' sign, just like when Nick doesn't succeed to become friends with someone. However, the intentions are always for good.
The song "Little Pink Houses" by John Mellencamp is saying that no matter who you are America always gives you a chance and if you go for it and work for it you might just reach that chance to make you dreams come true. “ And ther's winners and there's losers”, this line from the song states how some people will make it and some won’t just because thats the way life is. You have to go with it and make the best of it. The american dream is stated in this song because the song is saying you have to work for what you want and to reach your dreams. “Ain't that America home of the free. Little pinks houses for you and me.” This quote shows that American is land of opportunities and you have to take they as you get them. That your American dream could be anything in the country and you just have to make it come true. Nick Carraway is best represented because he lives the simple life, has his nice house with beautiful mansions next to him for his view, a good money income as well. His life was worked for, he worked for his nice house and his comfortable life. “But just like everything else those old crazy dreams. Just kinda came and went.” This quote for the song shows that you feel like your biggest dreams are just a joke when really if you work for something you can achieve it and thats what Nick Carraway did for himself.
ReplyDeleteI really liked christines because of the fact that she did her own song and its a very unique response with great connections.
DeleteThe American Dream is represented in the following songs, by the need for freedom. The main reason everyone used to want to come to the US was to get the freedom they had never had before. They also make America seem like a happy place, where little goes wrong. These dreams used to be realistic, but now, to a certain point it isn't. Glory Days by Bruce Springsteen, best represents Daisy. One line of the song is "she could turn all the boy's heads" just as Daisy does all the time, because practically radiates beauty. Also, "she says when she feels like crying, she laughs thinking about it." just like Daisy would laugh at herself for crying because she thinks its foolish to do so. The song Fast Car can be associated with the American Dream, because all anyone wants is a fast car to drive them all over the country.
ReplyDeleteI like how Jessie connected the songs to freedom she also used Daisy as an example. She talked about how foolish Daisy was and how its connected to the song Fast Card.
DeleteI agree with Jessie about the American Dream and that in many cases the dream of coming to America and living in such a great place is starting to die down. People still want to come to America, but it doesn't seem to be as much of a happy place
DeleteThe American Dream is represented in the following songs by the need for freedom. Everyone wanted to get away from where they were and start over. Just like Nick, he wanted to move to New York to learn the bond business. In the song, This land is your land it says "This land is your land, this land is my land From California, to the New York Island". It's explaining how If you live in the U.S. you should be equal to everyone around you know matter were your from. This song is associated with the American Dream because everyone wants to be treated as an equal and not just another person.
ReplyDeleteI thought your connection between Nick starting over in the bond business with the song and everyone wanting to start off fresh was good. Nick is an exact example of what the song you wrote about was talking about. Nick in The Great Gatsby wanted a new beginning and did so by joining in the bond business.
DeleteThe America Dream is represented in the following songs by "Little Pink Houses" John Mellencamp represent how everyone want freedom and how they want to have everything the song say that "ther's winners and there's losers" in can be connected to the novel by the losers being the poor people and the winners the rich also say that There's a black man, with a black cat
ReplyDeleteLiving in a black neighbourhood.
He's got an interstate running through his front yard
Ya know he thinks, he's got it so good. this quote from the song can be connected with Gatsby because he think that he have everything good but he is missing someone that can be next to him also to share everything he had just like Daisy.
i really like the way you mention the differences between the winners and the losers. The losers being the people who don't have their dreams made. I also like that you connect to the book and how Gatsby thinks he's living the American dream but he wants Daisy to be with him.
DeleteJhon, I like your connection with the lyrics about the idea that Gatsby is missing someone to share everything he had with Daisy.
DeleteHowever, Gatsby and Daisy aren't the only ones seeking some sort of special companionship, for Tom Buchanan seeks someone like Myrtle to fulfill something in him to be happy.
I like how you connected Gatsby and his lover, thats all he needs to have him life complete.
DeleteThe American Dream today is depicted by sucess and represented by the song "Fast Car" because today everyone feels the need to rush through life and try to get everywhere fast. People can't slow down and enjoy the journey, instead they are all worried about getting to the destination and getting "a big house". Everyone wants to be the richest person and be popular. Its all about who has the bigger or better things. They can't just enjoy what they have and be with those who matter.
ReplyDeleteThe dreams that are unrealistic today are from "This land is your land" because so many people today just care about themselves and want more. It says how "This land was made for you and me" but everyone just wants it for themselves. They can't just let things be and enjoy what they have and what is around them.
The line that best represents Gatsby is "This land is your land, this land is my land" because he shares what he has with others, even those he doesn't know. This is even though he has other motives like trying to find Daisy.
The line that best represents Daisy is the "girl who lives up the block" who could "turn all the boy's heads" from "Glory Days" because she was the prettiest in town and got the attention and love of Gatsby.
The line that best represents Nick is "The sun comes shining as I was strolling" from "This land is your land" since he is more relaxed and doesn't really let others trouble him as he just strolls along.
Matt, I like your response because you connected "this land is your land" to gatsby and today and also i think it is very true that a lot of people only care about themselves
DeleteIn the song “This land is your land” the dreams that are realistic is that this land belongs to the US people. And it is not realistic in the image that it is all good and pretty. It gives a false image here because we are human and we can’t keep things good for long. I would match this song to Dasie because this is what she wants to see, everything nice and happy.
ReplyDeleteAn unrealistic part of the song ”little pink house” is when he says that the women is in the kitchen cleaning up the slop. That might be the american dream for some people but I think for most women that is not there dream. I would relate this song to Tom Buchanan because that is what he wants out of daisy and he can have fun on the side.
The song “little fast car” represents the american dream when it says it can take you anywhere like to your freedom or pursuit of happyness. it is unrealistic when it says a little bit of money because for some people the american dream is money. I would relate this song to Gatsby because he wants to take dasie away and find his american dream with her.
“Coming to america” represents the american dream at its strongest. full of promise that you can get “today”. I think this song most represents gatsby because the song like gatsby sound a little full of it/himself. look at all we got, look how great we are, kind of thing.
Hi Maggie, i really like your response, particularly the first part. It accurately describes how originally everything was for everyone but how now everyone wants more.
DeleteMaggie,
DeleteI like your input on how each of the songs have their own representation of the American dream, whether it's how the dream is "realistic", how the dream can be achieved if you have "a little bit of money" or how the American Dream is a promise that you can fulfill "Today".
The song "This Land is Your Land" by Woody Guthrie shows the american dream's idea is freedom. I get the message of freedom in this song because it kept saying 'This is your land this is my land" throughout the song. to me that represents freedom. This is a realistic dream in some aspects because we own the land but technically the government still owns the land because we still pay them to own it. the only character i can match this with is Gatsby because he tries to impress daisy with his land and money because she has money and he wants her to see it and be impressed so hes saying my stuff is your stuff just like the song says this land is your land this land is my land
ReplyDeleteI like the twist and your thoughts about how freedom in some aspects is a realistic dream while in some it isn't What you said about how the government owns the land but it is technically ours if very true and interesting because it could go both ways to if we are really free or not.
DeleteI agree on the take of your song. saying that the American dream is freedom. I would agree that this song would best represent daisy aslo.
DeleteTaylor,
DeleteI agree your connection about the song's realism and how some of that "freedom" that the song promises isn't exactly true with the fact that the government still owns the lands because "we still pay them to own it".
It's a good observation about the differences between the song and real life during the 1920s.
The song "Glory Days" by Bruce Springsteen represents the American dream and Daisy from The Great Gatsby. This song reminds me of the American dream because it talks about how every day can be considered a glory day and you have to enjoy every day while it's here because before to long the days are going to be in the past. I think the American dream is living every day to the fullest and doing whatever makes your days glorious. One verse says "well time slips away and leaves you with nothing mister but boring stories of glory days." This song also relates to Daisy because it says "Well there's a girl that lives up the block back in school she could turn all the boy's heads." This relates to Daisy because she is always turning all the boy's heads and she's always wanting to be noticed and seen by everybody.
ReplyDeleteMy Dearest Niklaus, one a beginning point, how are you today. Back to your response, truth is I have nothing bad to say about it, I absolutely adore how you connected Daisy to the song Glory Days, it is so true! Daisy Daisy Daisy, what are we going to do about that girl, she always is pulling those boys in like a tractor beam. Great Response Niklaus
DeleteThe American dream is represented by, false hopes and dreams like in the song "This Land Is Your Land" by Woody Guthrie. Some of the lyrics say This land is your land, this land is my land
ReplyDeleteFrom California, to the New York Island
From the redwood forest, to the gulf stream waters
This land was made for you and me" this talks about how great the country is but when he gets deeper into the song he begins to question it.
Glory Days, by Bruce Springsteen. Its a realistic dream because he talks about his old days when he could just have a good time and hang out with his freinds.
I also feel like the song that relates to one of the character in the book is The Great Gatsby, and the song "Glory Days" by Bruce Springsteen, because in the song he talks about how he won't think about the old days but he will, "Now I think I'm going down to the well tonight
and I'm going to drink till I get my fill
And I hope when I get old I don't sit around thinking about it
but I probably will" and this is what gatsby does all the time in relation to daisy he just sits around and thinks about her having a drink.
The Song "Glory Days" best represents the American Dream as something of the thing of the past. The glory days which people had in the past before the war and before the Great Depression disappeared in the "blink of an eye". The focus of the song is about the working class who are trying to be happy and make a good living, which are the two things that George Wilson in The Great Gatsby is struggling with. However, other than money, the characters in the Great Gatsby are unhappy and unsatisfied with their lives, which involve Gatsby, Daisy, Tom and Myrtle. Although they (can) have money, they're not happy and therefore their American Dream is not fulfilled.
ReplyDeleteI rely like how you blended the quote form the song it rely works to you advantage there. I also like how you talked about the book in your responce.
DeleteHow is the American Dream represented in the following
ReplyDeletesongs? CHOOSE ONE SONG and describe HOW the American
Dream is represented...what view of the American Dream is
depicted?
Which dreams are realistic and which are unrealistic?
Match the characters from The Great Gatsby to the song
that best represents them. Use LINES from the lyrics in your response.
The song i chose is "This land is your land" and i think it represents an american dream of when the country was still young and still exploring and expanding and working for success. Furthermore I would say that this song doesn't really describe any character in the book except for maybe Nick Caraway because everyone besides him such as Jay Gatsby and Tom Buchanan because they already have everything that they could possibly want but they always want more and more things and to own more and more things.
I like the way you talk about the dream being land expansion because i agree with you thinking that exploration and hard work leads to success. I think you made a great connection because even in the book when people have everything they're never satisfied.
DeleteMy dearest T-dog, how have you responded to so perfectly to this is amazing. How you connected the Dream land to being exploration and hard work, I have to say perfect. I do believe that there are a few missed capitol I's but nbd (no big dealio). Finally your language that you use in your response is ravishing. Great work keep it up.
DeleteThe American Dream is represented in the following songs for freedom. Most people who live here today came because wanted to come to the US to get the freedom they had never had before. Nick in the book moved to New York to be free and learn the bond business. In the song, This land is your land it says "This land is your land, this land is my land From California, to the New York Island". This is similar to Nick because he wanted to move to New York. This song is connected to the American Dream because the song represents freedom of choice, in America at that time the American Dream to most people was to do what you like. This is why this song is so closely connected with the Great Gatsby and the American Dream.
ReplyDeleteDearest Gregory,
DeleteI never realized the connection between the song This Land is Your Land and Nick but after you made the connection, I really see how related they are. I think the American dream is when you live your life to the fullest and do whatever it takes in order to live a life of happiness. Like you said, Nick moved to New York to learn the bond business and I think this song really represents him doing that. Great blog Swan!
I like how Greg made the reference from the song about New York and Nick wanting to move to New York.
DeleteHow is the American Dream represented in the following songs?
ReplyDeleteIn the first song it was the dream of everyone saying that the U.S. is theirs and they are a part of it. The next, song was about how America is the home of the free. The next one was about being able to get jobs and make money. The next one was about people coming to America. And the last one was about the glory days before people were getting laid off.
CHOOSE ONE SONG and describe HOW the American Dream is represented...what view of the American Dream is depicted?
"Fast Car"-This is showing how people don't have jobs and don't have places to live and there dream is to make money and move to the suburbs. This is showing that not everyone can support themselves and there dream is to be able to.
Which dreams are realistic and which are unrealistic?
Getting a job and a house is realistic if you try for it but trying to go back to the olden days will never happen because you can't go back in time.
Match the characters from The Great Gatsby to the song that best represents them. Use LINES from the lyrics in your response.
I think that "Fast Car" goes with the people who live in the valley of ashes because they wish they had jobs and lived in a beautiful house. But they are poor and are stuck in a spot that they can't get out of.
I used the Song "fast car" too and i agree with you the part where you connected it to the people living in the valley of ashes. Im sure that most of them wish that they would gather their things and get as far away from there as they can
DeleteBruce Springsteen's song “Glory Days” represents the American dream because in the lyrics it says that every day in America is a “glory day” and you can do what you want because you’re free. The lyrics say “My old man worked 20 years on the line and they let him go Now everywhere he goes out looking for work they just tell him that he's too old I was 9 nine years old and he was working at the Metuchen Ford plant assembly line Now he just sits on a stool down at the Legion hall but I can tell what's on his mind” which is saying to do what you want before its too late and too old to work and do what makes you happy. Also this song reminds me and Daisy and how she “could turn all the boy's heads” which would be Tom, Gatsby and everybody else who lives in the East and West egg.
ReplyDelete"Glory Days" represents the american dream and describes that every day can be a "glory day" and you have to make the best of every day while it's here because after a while, all good things fade awayand can no longer be reached. The American dream is living life to the fullest with all your freedom and using it in the persute of happyness. One line in the song says "well time slips away and leaves you with nothing mister but boring stories of glory days." I'm pretty sure that this verse can be related to Daisy mostly because it also says "Well there's a girl that lives up the block back in school she could turn all the boy's heads." This should definetly be connected to Daisy because Daisy used to be the prettiest, and most noticed girl around and she isnt anymore because she's married to Tom.
ReplyDeleteMany people have different views of the “American Dream”. One common dream that people perceive to achieve in America, is to have equality. In the song “This Land is Your Land” by Woody Guthrie, I believe it represents an unrealistic dream. The whole song is describing how the United States is an equal, share of land. A very common “American Dream” is to have everyone be equal, no matter what. Saying “This Land is Your Land” isn’t true for the United States. We might want and wish it to be but sadly, society doesn’t let that happen. We still have racism, homosexuals not aloud to be married and problems with immigrants. Throughout this whole song, it describes a very unrealistic dream saying “This land was made for you and me”. Even if wish it wasn’t that way and are trying to change the ways. America isn’t made for everyone since not everyone has the same rights and not everyone is equal. This song is very much like Jay Gatsby. Gatsby shares his house and fine properties with everyone in the neighborhood. He literally means that his “land is your land”. He doesn’t care what class you’re from or who you are. He shares everything he has to everyone.
ReplyDeleteThe American Dream is represented in these songs by singing about freedom, equality and peace. Although these are great things to strive for, these "goals" are almost impossible to achieve. You are never truly free while living under a government that forces rules upon you, such as paying taxes. Even though we dream of equality, many Americans are still very racist and will not accept living together in harmony. It's also the same for peace; wars will never stop due to our selfish and insatiable hunger for power.
ReplyDeleteI believe the song "Glory Days" best represents Daisy because the song is discussing a guy and a girl who were wild and had fun together, much like Daisy and Gatsby. It also talks about how she and her husband "split up", like what happened in the book.
The "American Dream" all depends on who your talking to, because everyone has their opinions on what the American Dream is. In the song "This land is your land" the line "This land is your land, this land is my land From California, to the New York Island From the redwood forest, to the gulf stream waters This land was made for you and me" explains how everyone shares the same land, and the real american dream to me is Love, Success and Happiness, because only you can change that in your life. You always think that you have all control over your freedom, but really you don't, because freedom only goes so far before you get arrested or in trouble in some way. A lot of people try to make freedom their control,but they can't really have all control, because in life we have laws and the laws will get you before you can have total control of your freedom.
ReplyDelete"Coming to America" By Neil Diamond is sung to show that the American Dream can be interpreted literally for the millions of immigrants that can over 'on the boats and planes'. The song can also be talking about a group of people with the same goal coming together and accomplishing a task. 'Coming to America' gives a very realistic view of the American Dream, it basically states that if you come to America, you'll have a 'Home' in 'a new and a shiny place.' I believe this bests fits Nick from The Great Gatsby because at the beginning oft the book, he's an enthusiastic young person who is following his dream to become a stock broker.Nick has a very positive outlook on his future and life- as does the song.
ReplyDeleteI like how you connect this song to Nick and his push to become a broker and do good in life. that is what the immigrants who come to America from different countries want too
DeleteIf all Americans were to vote, Freedom would be at the top of the list as the American Dream. People used to (and still do) come from all over the world be step foot on America which seemed to promise freedom and good times. America was full of jobs, happy people, money, luxuries but most importantly Freedom. The song that I chose to represent the American Dream was "Fast Car" by Tracy Chapman. This song describes the need to get away from the troubles and enter into a new world where things seem much better. In the song it says "We won't have to drive too far
ReplyDeleteJust 'cross the border and into the city.You and I can both get jobs. And finally see what it means to be living" This is saying that they just want to get away and actually live their life's. I think that this song best represents Myrtle and everybody who lives in the valley of ashes. They are hardworking people but they live in such a terrible place and i'm sure that most of them just want to pack up and leave. The dream to get away and live somewhere better is a very realistic dream. You don't need tons of money to know that things are not the way they should be and its time to live somewhere else. The dream of being rich and famous on the other hand is unrealistic because the chances of that are slim to none, and people should focus their lives on other things.
"Fast Car" by Tracy Chapman shows the American dream by wanting to get away and get out of the place she has been stuck for a while. In this song, she believes she can get away and have no problem at all. The lines in the song, "maybe together we can get somewhere anyplace is better starting from zero got nothing to lose", proves that she does not care and just wants to live the American dream. Some of the American dream that she wants is to "buy a big house and live in the suburbs", "save just a little bit of money" and to "fly away". This dream is in the perspective of a women who has been stuck at the bottom for her whole life and has not had anything of the American dream. This song reminds of the character Daisy in "The Great Gatsby". Daisy longs to be the Gatsby now that she has seen him once again after so many years. She wishes she could be with him and his wealth. She realizes she could have been with Gatsby long ago and now she would be apart of his rich community. Daisy probably has thought of running away with Gatsby, like the letter she received from Gatsby the night before her wedding. She could've gone with Gatsby and could have now be in a healthy relationship instead of the unhealthy one she is in with Tom.
ReplyDeleteI like how you connected daisy in with the song. I agree with you when you say daisy has thought to run away which she has thought about to be with Gatsby. Good job!
DeleteThe American Dream is represented in these song becuse they talk about how all classes of people live in America and are happy. One of the most realistic dream is represented in the song "Fast Car". In the lyrics it says "You got a fast car I want a ticket to anywhere Maybe we make a deal Maybe together we can get somewhere
ReplyDeleteAnyplace is better" People want to get out of where they are some live in America and other are somewhere else but they want to get to America and have a better life. The songs here are all real. If you work hard nothing is impossible in America. The quote before represents Daisy because Tom is a cheating abusive person and she wishes she could get out of her life and be somewhere else. The song song "This Land Is Your land" is Gatsby. He shares his land with everyone with all his parties just trying to get Daisy to come to them. And he would give everything he had to her if he could. The song "Little Pink Houses" represents Nick. When he tells the story he really talks about the human condition in America in this time period. When the song says "Oh but ain't that America for you and me." he is talking about how some people are different. Some are so poor but still are happy with the life they have and the richest people hate their life even though they have everything they ever wanted.
The American Dream is represented through these songs especially "This Land is Your Land." This song represents the American dream because it promotes freedom and sharing among Americans. The song promotes equal opportunity when it states "this land was made for you and me." This however is not the case in the Great Gatsby because businesses are failing in the valley of ashes whereas east and west egg there are major amounts of money who live there. The song also promotes the freedom that is given to Americans. The song becomes a little controversial when it mentions no trespassing and the singer said that the sign said nothing was on the back of the sign so therefore he can trespass. When in reality if you step in somebodies yard you can possibly be killed or told to leave. As you can see this song glorifies the portrayal of the American Dream because it allows people to think that they can do something and get away with it. The song identifies America as a literal freedom rather than constitutional freedoms such as freedom of speech, religion, and voting. I would also compare the song to the moth at Gatsby's parties. The people are moths and they think they can come uninvited and rage at his parties. They think they are living the American dream.
ReplyDelete"Fast Car" Tracy Chapman represents the American dream because people are moving fast and they want to go places and just get out. The lines "I want a ticket to anywhere
ReplyDeleteMaybe we make a deal
Maybe together we can get somewhere
Anyplace is better
Starting from zero got nothing to lose
Maybe we'll make something
But me myself I got nothing to prove" shows that she doesn't care where she goes as long as she's out of the place she is now and if she goes maybe she can make something better. This song represents the character Daisy from Great Gatsby. I say this because Daisy wanted to be with Gatsby long ago but she can't anymore now.
She wishes that she could be with him and have all the money he does and also be apart of his rich town and community. She could have gone with Gatsby the night before her wedding when she received that letter but she married Tom instead.
How the american dream is represented through the following songs?
ReplyDelete"Fast Car" by Tracy Chapman is a good song that fits the vision of the American dream. In her song she sing about how American is seen as a place where you are free and can be anything you want to. That they started from zero but now that have nothing to lose. How that there dream is going to be built on hard work. "You and I can both get jobs, And finally see what it means to be living". If we where to tie this in to the Grate Gatsby it would fit it through the people who are living in poverty them hoping for a better life. The people in the city of ash are these people who are suffering and losing hope in there dreams.
I also used the song Fast Car, I agree with you on how America is a place to be free and anything you want to be. I also connected how the song fast car was a song to get away and make a better life for yourself
DeleteThese songs show the change over time in the American dream. In the first song This Land is Your Land the lyrics talk about how American's have all the potential in the world and can become as successful as they try to be. The lyrics say "this land was made for you and me" this shows hopefulness and how everyone in America has the potential to achieve greatness. This dream is almost unrealistic because the country isn't made for you, you have to work in order to become successful. The song little pink houses talks about how what you are born into is what you will be in life. That is portrayed through the lyrics "There's a black man, with a black cat Living in a black neighborhood. He's got an interstate running through his front yard Ya know he thinks, he's got it so good" This says that the black people in the song are stuck in their "black neighborhood". The song represents that the American dream is dead and there is no way to advance in life. You are stuck in the same position you were born into. Gatsby can relate to being stuck in the class he was born into because he is new money but so desperately wants to become old money. He is stuck as new money and will not be able to advance and become old money. This is like the black people from the song that are stuck in their black neighborhood.
ReplyDeletethe american dream is represented in this song by the way he talks about america. he talks about how great all of the parts of the country are like the “new york islands” and “From the redwood forest, to the gulf stream waters This land was made for you and me’ but other than talking about all the great things america has he doesn't really touch on the “american dream”
ReplyDeletethe dreams that are realistic like because he is just talking about walking and traveling the country to go see all of Americas great landmarks like the redwoods and new York city.
this song represents Gatsby great because he always talks about his travels and how he was an oxford man and how he was in the war. Just like how Gatsby brags about the places he has been when he was in the car with nick is like how the song talks about the great places in america, such as “to the New York Island, From the redwood forest, to the gulf stream waters”.
The American Dream is represented in the song "Fast Car" by Tracy Chapman. "Fast Car" by Tracy Chapman talks about getting away. A lot of people now a days and in the Great Gatsby are always looking for newer and better things. A lot of people don't take the time to appreciate what they have and realize that even if it's not as nice as everyone else they're lucky to have what they have. In "Fast Car" it says " You got a fast car, I want a ticket to anywhere, Maybe we make a deal, Maybe together we can get somewhere, Anyplace is better, Starting from zero got nothing to lose, Maybe we'll make something, But me myself I got nothing to prove , You got a fast car, And I got a plan to get us out of here, I been working at the convenience store, Managed to save just a little bit of money" This proves that the American dream for this person is just to live a better life and get away. The song "This Land is Your Land" by Woody Guthrie best represents Gatsby. "This Land is Your Land" best represents Gatsby because he's always throwing parties and it doesn't matter who comes, they're all "invited". In "This Land is Your Land," it says "This land is your land, this land is my land,From California, to the New York Island, From the redwood forest, to the gulf stream waters, This land was made for you and me." It relates to Gatsby because everyone comes over his house and he's sharing his home, drinks, and everything.
ReplyDeleteTracy Chapman- Fast car
ReplyDeleteFast cars represent having money and being able to buy flashy, fast cars and also a big house that is comfy and homey and very large. in the song Tracy said “You got a fast car
I want a ticket to anywhere”. This shows the american dream because this woman’s husband is clearly wealthy and she likes to have what she can get from him, just like most women do in the book or the movie “The Great Gatsby”. The dreams that are realistic in this song is like when she says “i want a ticket anywhere” , because her rich husband CAN take her anywhere she wants to go and that is realistic. The dream that is not realistic is when she says “You and I can both get jobs”. How could a guy have a fast car back then but not have a job? thats unrealistic.
Myrtle is the girl that sang the song because Myrtle used Tom for money and took a punch for it, this woman uses her man for money and riches. The woman singing the songs husband is like Tom because he makes the money and has a nice car and she just takes the money and all that..
The song that i think is the most realistic to the American dream is Little pink Houses by John Mellencamp. In this song it says “ There's a young man, in a t-shirt
ReplyDeleteListening' to a rock n roll station. He's got greasy hair, greasy smile
He says, "Lord this must be my destination."
'Cause they told me when I was younger
"Boy you're gonna be president."
But just like everything else those old crazy dreams
Just kinda came and went.
This lyric shows that in America you can be anything that you want to be because it is the home of the free. This lyric also best represents Nick from the Great Gatsby. Because he is a young boy with a “greasy smile”.
I think that these songs represent the american dream because they all have something to do with the american dream and the fact that they are all are either highlighting the american dream or they are highlighting the bad things about it it is funny because most of these songs are saying that the american land is there for all of the Americans that are welcome to use it and the fact that they are all of almost the same genre says that what ever genera they belong to it is patriotic and it is almost like they all got together to decide what part of the american dream they wanted to be
ReplyDeleteToday, I believe that the American dream has the depiction of success, happiness and the fulfillment of lifelong dreams. In the song "Little Pink Houses" by John Mellencamp, this dream is vividly portrayed. I say this because the song represents the American Dream with its lyrics of "Go to work in some high rise
ReplyDeleteAnd vacation down at the Gulf of Mexico". These lyrics represent the American Dream because it is everyone's dream to have a lot of money and have a nice job as well as spend many quality family moments with things like vacations and time off. This song shows that this type of lifestyle is still in existence and can be achieved with a good work ethic and by being in America.
I feel that this bream is realistic. I say this because even thought few people actually live this dream and take advantage of it, it is still possible to reach it. There are many factors that decide a person's fate but its up to them to use those in order to get what they want. Overall, being successful is not unrealistic since it is highly evident in our country of America. In the Great Gatsby, I could most likely picture Gatsby talking about this type of lifestyle. I say this because he pretty much lives in a high rise and he has much time and money on his hands to do whatever pleases him. Gatsby has fulfilled most of the American Dream but his heart is an empty pit that craves the feeling of love but will never fulfilled. Overall, the American dream represented in this song represents the lifestyle and success with new money.