Celebrity Culture and the American Dream

Posted: August 25th, 2021

Student’s Name

Professor’s Name

Course Title

Date

Celebrity Culture and the American Dream

Subject and Periods

Karen Sternheimer explored the influence of celebrity culture on the fulfilment of the American Dream. For clarity of her investigation, Sternheimer unearthed the transitions that have occurred right from the period before World War I and researched how people’s perceptions about celebrity have changed over time. For instance, she highlighted eight themes to describe this change and how it has affected the conception of American status, class, and their upward mobility.

Significant Phrases

The first significant phrase expresses the idea thatcelebrity culture’s central role is to provide typical examples that the American Dream of rising from the bottom of the economic ladder is real for people ready to work hard (Sternheimer 7). Secondly, Americans believe that both hard work and luck can enable a person to rise above their humble beginnings, an aspect founded on the American Dream (Sternheimer 10).

Author’s Main Arguments

According to Sternheimer, celebrity not only affects people’s behaviors in general but rather reveals major sociological issues impacting Americans. For instance, through celebrity culture, Americans can rise beyond their current obscurity to fame and fortune (Sternheimer 2). Besides, the author argued that celebrity culture could be used to explain, explore, and discover significant issues in American society including its social mobility and class, relationships, gender, and race (Sternheimer 4).

Three Key Points

1. Celebritiesare people sharing financial capabilities with similar social and cultural interests based on a given consumption pattern.

2. Celebrity signifies class unconsciousness in which the representation of their status quo and upward mobility capture those who are successful in America. However, it was not the actual case.

3. A deeper insight into celebrity culture shows a shifting American Dream ranging from the original practice for subsistence to massive accumulation of wealth as a sign of moral reward.

Three Pieces of Evidence

The first evidence showed that celebrity began to boost people’s subsistence needs. Besides, it centered on prosperity and wealth accumulation against humble beginnings (Sternheimer 22). Lastly, celebrity represented a culture that has economic, social, and political influence on every American.

Connection to another Text

Although the author used several texts to justify her arguments, the most compelling version came from Horatio Alger who described the American Dream as a practical aspect touching every American.

Current Event

Ideally, celebrity has helped in elaborating the shifting nature of Hollywood fantasy to a more adaptable reflection of a real American society whose members dream about life prosperity (Sternheimer 25).

Discussion Question

How does celebrity culture influence the success or failure of the American Dream?

Works Cited

Sternheimer, Karen. Celebrity Culture and the American Dream: Stardom and Social Mobility. 2nd ed., Routledge, 2014.