"Breathing Dreams like Air..."

I would describe the American Dream as ones wish for a life that is obtainable but still substantially better than their own. This can change between different people, for example, the American Dream for someone could be to own a house of their own, while someone else's could be to own their own multimillion dollar business. This goes with the my definition of wealth, which is making enough money to sustain the lifestyle that you desire with happiness. This means wealth is not measurable and it is different for everyone. This idea of the American Dream and wealth goes along with the 1920s as well because there was such massive expansion going on that is was easy for people to make money after the war.

Americas view on wealth and poverty is a destination where they either want to be or they despise. This is seen in The Great Gatsby when Gatsby throws his extravagant parties to display his wealth and to bring his love back to him. He is trying to out do his love's current partnered. It is almost like a challenge to see who is the wealthiest. My attitude toward wealth and poverty is a little different than this. I understand that some people have things that they can't control and that is why they are poverish, but I also believe it can be temporary and they can always improve their life. My idea of wealth is that people achieve it at different levels and it is not necessarily based on monetary value, that is being rich. This is also something that today is not as socially acceptable to talk about or display in public.