The American Dream in Blues Music

Seminar paper from the year 2008 in the subject American Studies - Literature, grade: 1,7, University of Hamburg, language: English, abstract: In his publication of 1985, Peter Freese initially states, that in order to fully comprehend American culture and its products one must understand "certain enduring beliefs and convictions" (Freese 1985: 3). According to him, these beliefs and convictions together make up the 'American Dream', a concept that is and has been an integral constituent of American culture and society from its very beginning until today. Blues music is a product and certainly an important part of American culture and for over a century. Knowing this, the American Dream and the ideas that it represents must in some form relate to significant elements of blues music. But what is 'The American Dream' and what is 'The Blues'?