Dream?

I think the term "dream" is poorly understood when used in the phrase "the American dream".

The dynamics are very tricky.

Studs Lonigan in James T. Farrell's Studs Lonigan bought into the American dream and was destroyed.
Ditto Gatsby in another venue.

Dreams are often said to be wish-fulfillment. Perhaps these unconscious aspirations are subsumed under the admonition:

Be careful what you ask for; you may just get it.

Maybe; maybe not.
Suddenly what was common and simple is as mysterious as a ship with black sails upon the horizon.

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