The American Dream
The dream of a land where life should be better and richer and fuller for everyone.
The 'American Dream' is a phrase referring to the national ethos of the United States: that every person has the freedom and opportunity to succeed and attain a better life. The tenets of the American Dream originate from the Declaration of Independence, which states 'all men are created equal', and have an inalienable right to 'life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness'. The Preamble to the Constitution states similarly that the Constitution's purpose is to, in part, 'secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity'.
Quick Facts
- Character
- Max Payne
- Role
- Protagonist
- Affiliation
- Former NYPD detective
- First appears
- Max Payne (2001)
- Status
- Alive at campaign's end
Lore & Background
The phrase was popularized by James Truslow Adams during the Great Depression in 1931. Adams defines it as 'that dream of a land in which life should be better and richer and fuller for everyone, with opportunity for each according to ability or achievement. [...] It is not a dream of motor cars and high wages merely, but a dream of social order in which each man and each woman shall be able to attain to the fullest stature of which they are innately capable, and be recognized by others for what they are, regardless of the fortuitous circumstances of birth or position.'
The term has evolved over time; originally the emphasis was on democracy, liberty, and equality, but more recently has been on achieving success, typically exemplified by attaining material wealth and upward social mobility. Social mobility in the United States has declined and income inequality has risen in recent decades. Belief in the American Dream has significantly declined, decreasing most sharply among young adults.
Reader's Guide
The American Dream originated in colonial mystique regarding frontier life. In the 18th century, after 1776, the United States became a significant part of the global economy. In the 19th century, many well-educated Germans who fled the failed 1848 revolution found the United States more politically free than their homeland. The discovery of gold in California in 1849 brought in a hundred thousand men looking for their fortune overnight, giving rise to the California Dream of instant success. Historian Frederick Jackson Turner in 1893 advanced the Frontier Thesis, under which American democracy and the American Dream were formed by the American frontier. In the 20th century, James Truslow Adams popularized the phrase 'American Dream' in his 1931 book Epic of America.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does The American Dream chapter represent?
This opening sequence serves as a tragic flashback detailing the murder of Max's wife and daughter by drug addicts. It establishes his motivation for vengeance while introducing the core mechanics of combat and bullet time to new players.
Who is the protagonist during this campaign?
The story follows Max Payne, a former NYPD detective who has been suspended from duty following the loss of his family. He acts as a lone vigilante seeking justice outside the law in a snow-covered New York City.
How does The American Dream chapter conclude?
Max successfully hunts down and kills the junkies responsible for his family's deaths, though he remains trapped in grief. This victory marks only the beginning of a much larger conspiracy involving the Vodka Mob and corrupt officials.
Does Max Payne survive this specific arc?
Yes, Max remains alive at the end of this opening chapter despite sustaining injuries during the violent confrontation. His survival allows him to continue investigating the deeper criminal underworld that threatened his family.
More in Story & Campaigns
Elsewhere in Max Payne
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