What is the American Dream?

What are some examples of literature, aricles, and films about American Dream?

• Hi! I'm student from Moscow, and my major is in cultural studies. As my coursework I'm writing about a concept of an American Dream, which is very poor known here. To analyse this subject I'm using modern and popular American films, as they are being made for the mass audience, so, in my opinion, could reveal the essence of close for the average person cultural concept. As I said, American Dream in itself is very poor known here in Russia. It is very problematic to find good non-fiction books and articles to work with. If you could recommend me something, it would help me allot. Something from cultural, philosophical or hictorical point of view. To my shame, I would prefer good articles, because am limited with time for a little bit. As well, I would be verry thankful, if you could point me some good in your opinion movies to describe. I should mention, that in my last two works I've described chiliastic motif of the American Dream (films about immigrants like "Far and away") and films about office workers in concept of American Dream. Now my supervisor recommend to use theme of crisis of an American Dream in films of the second half of the 20th century, so no "Citizen Kane" for me. I'm thinking about "There Will Be Blood", "Actor" (although the final messed it up!), "The People vs. Larry Flynt". Any suggestions here? Thank you in advance and sorry for poor English.

• Answer:

  The American Dream? "You have to be asleep to believe it." http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=acLW1vFO-2Q