The Concept of American Dream: Examples of Columbus and Bradstreet Essay

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Everybody has a different vision for themselves and they desire to achieve whatever it is that will make them live comfortably without any worries. The drive to achieve this vision can be termed as the American dream and when you strive hard to get it and you are successful then you will be living the American dream. The American dream can have different meanings to different people, whether it is fortune or justice. Once you get it and you are satisfied with it you will be living your dream. The American dream started being chased long time ago by the settlers who were relocating to America in search of a better living since their original backgrounds had left them hopeless. For some reason they believed they would be able to achieve what they wanted in America (Baym, Franklin and Gura 18). Most of the settlers were from Europe and they were in search of a better lifestyle because the living conditions in Europe were unbearable. Jews, who were fighting for their freedom of worship, escaped from Hitler and his military and hoped to find freedom in America.

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One of the early settlers Christopher Columbus was set on discovering his dream of fortune and fame by discovering lands. Although he was really determined, he never got to live his American dream but he was given the credit for discovering America. Christopher’s dream started when he wanted to sail the sea in a bid to discover new lands and he would govern any lands he discovered, he would also receive income from them, he also wanted to be declared admiral of the ocean. This proposals was rejected by many leaders among them his brother. Since he was so determined to achieve what he believed in, he was not disoriented by this but instead travelled to Spain to seek support from the King Ferdinand and queen Isabella. It took a lot of time for them to come to an agreement and at first, his proposal was even rejected by the Queen but the king intervened and Christopher was granted his wish. He did not waste any time and he set sail with three ships. During this first trip, he discovered a few islands among them: the Bahamas, Cuba and Haiti. After this successful discovery, he returned back to Spain and prepared for another sail.

Columbus was not satisfied and believed that there were other lands yet to be discovered. On this second journey, his mission was to find gold and capture slaves along the Indies. This trip was successful too and much easier because he had travelled with 17 ships and a lot of crew members. He also made a third and a fourth trip where he discovered America and other lands including, Jamaica.

Columbus was proud to have achieved what he wanted for his was allowed to govern these lands but although he was satisfied, living his dream was cut short because he was later on arrested and all his wealth was confiscated as well. His pleas to be released were ignored and he was shown no mercy. He had dedicated his life to chasing his dreams but later on, he succumbed to his illness and died without any wealth.

Although Columbus’ dream did not end so well, he was able to achieve what he wished for but only for a short period of time. He got the wealth and fame he wanted but rather than enjoy it, it was his downfall for he was accused of ruling the lands in an uncouth manner and the people were not happy and this led to his arrest. Other settlers looked at this as an inspiration for them to chase their own dreams and were determined to live them.

Anne Bradstreet was a very talented American poet who was originally from England, who was set on achieving her dream, having freedom of worship and belief and to secure a place for the women in the ‘New world’ and elsewhere too. Bradstreet was a very religious woman who trusted in God for everything she needed. She wanted freedom to be able to declare her faith without being reprimanded or discriminated against for it and she was able to do this through the poems that she wrote.

Although back then women were not allowed to receive education, Bradstreet was able to learn a little from the tutors and her father who was very supportive of her. Through this education she was able to write poems expressing her feelings fearlessly and letting her religion be known to everyone. In the ‘New world’, she never abandoned her puritan culture and this was also expressed a lot in her poems. Her poems were her way of reaching the American dream and at the same time remaining humble because women were not allowed to compete with the men.

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During her struggle to attain her dreams, she was faced with a lot of challenges but she was strong and turned to God for strength. Her library was burned in 1666, she did not despair or succumb to sadness but rather used this as an inspiration to write another poem. So she wrote the poem “Upon the burning of our house, July 10th, 1666” here, she uses this tragedy to reflect on the day of judgment where there shall be fire. Her faith is also reflected when she asks God to give her the strength she needs to face the world and to overcome any temptations.

Bradstreet’s other dream was to be able to secure a position in the ‘New world’ and still be seen as a woman who cares for her family. Having come from England, she found the cultures of their new home very different because the women did not have a say in the society and it was believed that their place was at home taking care of their families. In one of her poems, Bradstreet states, “ I came to this country, where I found a new world and new manners to which my heart rose” (qtd. in Baym 272). Although Bradstreet was happy taking care of her family she was not content with that and felt that she could still right and carry on with her duties as a wife. She continued writing her poems despite the fact that, people who did not support her believed that she was copying all her work from a male poet. She did not receive support from the community and instead she was ridiculed for being a female writer but this did not stop her from attaining her goals as a female poet.

Her brother in law helped her publish her first collection of poems and this expresses her anger to the criticism she received as a woman. In her first publication “The Tenth Muse Lately Sprung Up In America” Bradstreet writes “I am obnoxious to each carping tongue, who says my hand a needle better fits” this way she shares with the rest that she is not happy that people cannot appreciate her work because she is female.

In order to defend herself and her priorities her brother in law had to add some words on the title of the book, showing that she did not neglect her responsibilities but used extra time to write her poems. This way they hoped that her book would be acceptable to the public but the public was not keen on reading her work as much as it was in criticizing it. Hence, her first publication did not do as well as she had hoped but her zeal for achievement was so great that she just continued writing. With time, the public learnt to accept that a woman can do her work as well as she can manage her home and Anne Bradstreet was recognized as a great female writer. She had strived to achieve her American dream and she had lived it happily.

In general, the American dream is attainable as long as one is really determined to achieve it. Christopher Columbus was very determined to get what he wanted but as soon as he had it, he made mistakes that cost him his dream. Bradstreet strived to defend her religion through poems and also to be respected for her work and although it took her time, she was able to live her dream later on.

Work Cited

Baym, Nina, Franklin, Wayne and Gura, Philip. The Norton Anthology American Literature, Volume A: Beginnings to 1820. New York: W W Norton & Co Inc., 2007.

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IvyPanda. 2022. "The Concept of American Dream: Examples of Columbus and Bradstreet." March 13, 2022. https://ivypanda.com/essays/the-concept-of-american-dream-examples-of-columbus-and-bradstreet/.

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