The American Dream still has real meaning for many Americans, and success is often the key word here. The idea of setting yourself goals and striving to achieve them is an important part of the American way of life. a Take a few minutes to write down what success means to you in your life. Which goals are you willing to strive for? b Now make groups of 3–4 students and compare your ideas. Are there any similarities? Is there such a thing as “the Norwegian Dream”?
Two Sides of the American Dream Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803–1882), an American writer and philosopher, had this to say about success:
What is success? To laugh often and much; To win the respect of intelligent people and the affection of children; To earn the appreciation of honest critics and endure the betrayal of false friends; To appreciate beauty; To find the best in others; To leave the world a bit better, whether by a healthy child, a garden patch, or a redeemed social condition; To know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived. This is to have succeeded.
to strive å streve, å kjempe affection hengivenhet/ godhug to earn å fortjene / å fortene appreciation anerkjennelse, verdsettelse / anerkjenning, verdsetting critic kritiker/kritikar to endure å holde ut / å halde ut betrayal forræderi whether her: enten patch flekk to redeem å gjøre bedre, å rette opp / å gjere betre, å rette opp condition her: forhold
NOrth america
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