Neel Kotrappa The American Dream: The Opportunity to Change, Live, and Become The American Dream has

never had a concrete definition, but to me, it is an idea that motivated thousands upon thousands of people to pick up their belongings and make the journey to a new land, gaining a new experience and a new life. They came to America searching for opportunities and rights that they were not granted but wanted in their own countries. For my parents, it was not so much their own rights, but the opportunity to better the lives of their children. The American Dream allowed desperate individuals and families to dream, succeed, live life on a level playing field, and reinvent themselves in a new place; it was the opportunity for people to seek out their personal and collective desires. For my parents, the American Dream was their golden ticket and opportunity to live better lives with more freedom and different experiences away from the corruption present in every wrinkle of Indian society. Both of my parents were born, raised, educated, and highly successful in India. They left behind their families, friends, jobs, and country to come to America so they could provide my sister and me the best futures possible. Although they suffered through unemployment and difficult living conditions, perseverance made them successful individuals. In America, they had the chance to dream big and make the most of the opportunities that presented themselves in a new environment. My father wanted to earn an MBA, but he did not have the necessary resources in India. After finally making enough money, he joined UCLA and pushed himself to finish the rigorous coursework an MBA entailed in one year. Now He is the COO of an IT and

Management company, and the CEO of a non-profit organization helping underprivileged students. My mother was tired of the corruption in the medical field in India, and decided that instead of practicing right away, it would be a good idea to come to America and go through the rigors again to make an honest living. She earned a scholarship to UCI and finished a three-year Residency program. Her hard work paid off and she was selected as one of the Top 50 general practitioners in the United States. Through hard work and dedication, my parents succeeded in completing not only their individual desires, but also succeeded in providing my sister and me the best opportunities possible. They are proof that living the American Dream is a possibility, and have since encouraged many of their relatives to make the move as well. The American Dream is about the future, the betterment of your own life, and the lives of the future generations. It compels individuals to start life again, to change their ideals, and become someone who they want to be. It changed the lives of my parents, and, in turn, changed my life. The future is something uncertain, but it is something that offers hope to thousands of people wanting to change their lives. In his short story The Other Foot Ray Bradbury writes of a new start and a new beginning. This short story struck an internal cord as it relates closely with my parents story. The people on Earth reminded me of my parents, and their desire to start a new life. Similarly the fact that they are the people would be immigrants like my parents helped me connect with the short story. The passage is found near the end of the story, and occurs after a white man lands onto a full black community on Mars. Nuclear warfare left the Earth in ruins, and the few who survived were seeking a new start on a new planet.

This passage embodies what the American Dream is about because it talks about giving opportunity, regardless of past history. Willie, who is one of the most influential people in the new community, represents America. His fingers were opening, which symbolizes that America opened its arms and welcomed all people who were seeking a new life with a new beginning. Bradbury also writes that a rope released, fell and coiled upon itself representing how America opened up its borders for immigrants to create something for themselves. The following quote about people cleaning up the town, represents the desire to make change, and throw away everything that dealt with their past, They ran through the streets of their town and tore down the new signs so quickly made, and painted out the fresh yellow signs on streetcars, and they cut down ropes in the theater balconies, and unloaded their guns and stacked their ropes away. It was a new beginning. The extended quote that follows tells how the past was a discombobulated mess, and that the time for being fools is over. Willie says, Hes got no home now Now everythings even. We can start all over again, on the same level, showing that America represents hope and a new start to live a successful life. The American Dream became an ideology in the sense of its growth, attractiveness, and ability to motivate people to act. It was an idea that took over the minds of people who wanted to make a new life, and it also inspired them to walk into uncharted territory where they could aspire to make their dreams come true. My parents story is an American dream success, as are hundreds of others. The Other Foot accurately portrays what the American Dream is The opportunity compounded with the desire to create a better life by seeking out personal goals. The American Dream offered thousands of immigrants and people something that they didnt have before: hope.

Works Cited
Sources: Bradbury, Ray. "The Other Foot." The Illustrated Man. New York: Avon Books, 1997.