The American Dream is a national ethos of the United States, the set of ideals (democracy, rights, liberty, opportunity, and equality) in which freedom includes the opportunity for prosperity and success, as well as upward social mobility for the family and children, achieved through hard work in a society with few barriers.
The American Dream is the belief that anyone, regardless of where they were born or what class they were born into, can attain their version of success in society where upward mobility is possible for everyone.
Explanation:
The American Dream is achieved through sacrifice, risk-taking, and hard work rather by choice.
Douglass learns the white man's power comes from the ability to prevent education to the slaves. The excerpt expresses Douglass' understanding of how education empowers the literate person and by remaining illiterate, unable to read, the master keeps his power against the slave.
