Chicago / Turabian History

American Dream

In a 4 to 5-page, double-spaced essay, answer the following. If we consider the term American Dream to represent the opportunity to achieve upward social mobility, use examples from The Jungle by Upton Sinclair to examine the way in which the possibilities of achieving the American Dream were both bolstered and undermined by the circumstances of the Gilded Age. Clearly identify the characteristics of American industrialization that encouraged the working class to strive for, yet blocked access to, the American Dream. Provide examples from The Jungle to support your points and be sure to cite sources using footnotes.