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man with opportunities for each according to his abilities and
achievement.” The American Dream is popularized in countless ragsto-riches stories and in the portrayal of the good life in advertising and
on TV shows. It teaches Americans to believe that contentment can be
reached through the virtues of thrift, hard work, family loyalty, and
faith in the free enterprise system.
However, throughout America’s history, reality has also taught her
citizens, particularly minorities, that the American Dream is not open
to all. Segregation and discrimination are effective tools which have
barred minorities from equal opportunities in all spheres.
Questioning of Values
Events in the late 1960s and early 1970s, most obviously the
Vietnam War and the Watergate scandal, jolted the country with
doubts and insecurities and created fundamental divisions among
Americans about their country’s goals. The mainstream Protestant
values which had held society together seemed to be collapsing, and
no coherent, unifying system of belief emerged as an alternative. The
1980s saw a return to conservative family values and morals, as well
as a renewal of national pride. The ultimate significance, however, of
this conservative revival is uncertain. Some critics observe that with
the breakdown of consensus on beliefs and values which began around
1970, there has been increasing disparity of opinion about Americans’
values and national goals.
CULTURAL ASSOCIATIONS
Look up the following entries in the Dictionary of U. S. Life and
Culture (Жизнь и культура США: Лингвострановедческий
словарь) or other dictionaries and encyclopedias:
Bill of Rights
Boone, Daniel
challenge
Crockett, Davy
Dewey, John
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Emerson, Ralph Waldo
frontier
Founding Fathers
Fuller, Margaret
Independence Day
James, William
Lazarus, Emma
pioneer
pragmatism
self-reliance
Statue of Liberty
Thoreau, Henry David
Vietnam War
Watergate
Whitman, Walt
wilderness
COMPREHENSION CHECK
1. What are the main ideals and values which many Americans
share? To help you figure them out, make up a chart according to the
following pattern:
Ideal/value What is means Examples
Freedom Equal opportunities for
all; having basic
“inalienable” rights…
Sometimes America is
viewed as a welcoming
haven for immigrants
who are able to find their
ideals of freedom here…
Individualism
Idealizing what
is practical
Volunteerism
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Psychology of
abundance
Mobility
Patriotism
Progress
American
Dream
2. Are there any contradictory points in the given characterization
of ideals and values? Do all of them always correspond to the reality?
Give examples from the text.
3. Can you think of any other famous authors (poets, novelists,
painters), rather than those mentioned in the text, who touch upon the
theme of individualism in their works?
4. What is meant by the “can-do” spirit? What is the connection
between this spirit, inventiveness, and practicality according to the text?
5. Do you think that the do-it-yourself spirit and volunteerism are
synonyms, or do you see any difference between them?
6. Does the mentioned psychology of abundance have anything to
do with consumerism as a feature of American life? What is the cause
and what is the consequence?
7. What is the connection between mobility and relative
homogeneity of American society?
8. What are the signs of patriotism mentioned in the text? Can you
name any other demonstrations of it? Are they typical of American
society only, or would you say that the majority of nations are
patriotic to a certain degree?
9. The notion of “frontier” is mentioned in relation to several
values and ideals described in the text. Name them and say where this
notion would play a more significant role. Prove your point of view.
10. Does the text imply any evolution of the term American
Dream? What is the difference in its understanding in the past and
present?
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11. Americans have questioned their national goals, ideals and
values more than once. One of the examples is the Watergate Scandal,
another is the Vietnam War. Can you think of any other examples,
maybe more recent ones?
ACTIVE VOCABULARY
regional and cultural diversity
diversity (n) — the state of being varied, variety
a welcoming haven
haven (n) — a place of safety or rest; a refuge
to be flooded with
to flood (v) — 1. to send something in large quantities 2. to cover
or fill something completely, to spread into something 3. (of a
though or feeling) to fill somebody suddenly, to flow powerfully
to plague (v) somebody/something with something — 1. to cause
trouble or difficulty to somebody/ something, esp. repeatedly
2. (esp. passive) to cause suffering or discomfort to somebody 3. to
annoy somebody, esp. by repeatedly asking them questions or
demanding their attention: to plague somebody with questions,
requests; to be plagued by autograph hunters
to resolve (v) — to find a satisfactory way of dealing with (a
difficulty): The matter was resolved easily.
integrity (n) — 1. the quality or state of being complete; wholeness,
entirety 2. the quality or state of being of sound moral principle;
honesty and sincerity
to claim economic self-sufficiency
self-sufficiency (n) — ability to supply one’s own needs without
external assistance
abundance (n) — a great quantity; plenty
abundant (adj) — more than sufficient; plentiful
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to exhaust (v.) — 1. to use up, expend completely; to drain of power,
resources, etc.: We have exhausted our supply of oxygen. My
patience is exhausted. 2. to tire out, make very weary, weaken: I
am completely exhausted.
inexhaustible (adj.) — incapable of being used up
wastefulness (n)
waste (v) — to consume or use to no avail or profit
waste (n) — useless consumption or expenditure
wasteful (adj) — given to or characterized by useless consumption
or expenditure
a do-it-yourselfer
do-it-yourself (n, abbr. DIY) — the practice or hobby of making,
repairing or decorating things oneself instead of paying workmen:
a do-it-yourself shop
to raise money
raise (v) — to bring or collect something together; to manage to
obtain something
Compare raise (transitive) and rise (intransitive). When somebody
raises something, they lift it to a higher position: He raised his
head from the pillow and switched off the alarm clock. When a
person rises, he or she stands up or gets up from a lower position:
She rose from her chair. When something rises, it moves to a
higher position: The helicopter rose into the air. The nouns rise
(Br.) and raise (Am.) mean an increase in pay: Should I ask my
boss for a rise (Br.) /raise (Am.)?
fundraising (n.) — the act or occupation of collecting money for a
specific cause, usu. in support of a charity
psychological counseling
counseling (n) — professional advice about a problem: offer
psychiatric/financial counseling; a student counseling service
legal aid
aid (n) — 1.
help of any kind: breathe with the aid of a respirator;
impossible without the aid of computer; she came to his aid (=to
help him) 2. a thing that helps: hearing aid; teaching aids
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scarcity (n) — the lack of something or difficulty in obtaining it;
shortage: scarcity of food; frequent scarcities of raw materials
scarce (adj) — insufficient to satisfy the need or demand; hard to
find or obtain: Good fruit is scarce in winter.
to make a fresh start — to begin from the very beginning
to go house-hunting
house-hunting (n) — looking for a new place to live
bumper sticker — a gummed paper with a printed slogan, witticism,
etc., for sticking on a vehicle’s bumper
bumper (n) — a bar fixed to the front and back of a motor vehicle
to reduce the effect of an impact
taming of the frontier
to tame (v) — to make easy to control, subdue; to make gentle,
docile, obedient or spiritless
a rag-to-riches story
from rags to riches — from extreme poverty to wealth
thrift (n) — the habit of saving money and spending it carefully
thrifty (adj) — using money and goods carefully and wisely: a
thrifty housewife
disparity of opinion
disparity (n) — a difference: a big disparity in ages; marked
disparities
EXERCISES
I. Paraphrase the following sentences, using the active
vocabulary:
1. Our government should think of the possible measures to protect
the biological variety of species. A lot of non-governmental organizations
and unions have issued special car signs to remind us of that.
2. She is a great hostess, and her house is always open to
international visitors and exchange students.
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3. I am counting on you to talk to Aunt Emma, she needs some
professional psychological advice after the stress she had gone
through. The situation has to be dealt with somehow.
4. The shortage of food forced prices up and she could no longer
afford her old house — she had to look for a new one and begin a new
life.
5. Her ability to save money and spend it carefully is well
recognized among her colleagues and friends.
6. There are marked differences between the regions in the U.S.
7. Hers was a true story of going from extreme poverty to wealth in
no time.
8. The office was full of the applications for the position of the
managing director, but no one looked like a real achiever who would
make the firm prosper.
9. The strikes, which repeatedly caused trouble in Manhattan,
called for reforms in the city administration.
10. What is the name of Shakespeare’s comedy about subduing a
disobedient wife?
11. The students initiated a campaign to collect money for the
needs of the university.
12. We have used up all the office supplies. Here’s an example of
careless consumption!
13. His sound moral principles and ability to depend only on
himself make him a strong leader, a person who can do everything on
his own.
14. The United States became a refuge for millions of immigrants
from all over the world.
II. Answer the following questions using the active vocabulary:
1. Can you give any examples of the taming of the frontier in the
U.S.?
2. How is the American dream popularized in countless rags-to-
riches stories? What can contentment be achieved through?
3. Is it easy for an American to find a new place to live? What are
the necessary criteria for a new house?
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4. When is it time to claim economic independence for an
American? Compare it to the Russian experience.
5. How do Americans usually raise money for field-trips and day-
trips?
6. How does cultural and regional diversity affect the differences
in American pronunciation and speech? Can you give any examples?
7. What is meant by “thrift”? Do you know any thrifty people?
8. Have you ever come across any funny/unusual/unexpected bumper
stickers? How do different bumper stickers characterize the drivers?
9. Making a fresh start is not easy, is it? Were you ever forced to
start from the very beginning?
10. Is the idea of psychological counseling popular in the U.S.A.?
In Russia? Why? Why not?
11. What are the necessary traits of character for a do-it-yourselfer?
12. Is it prestigious to get legal aid in the U.S.A.? What about
Russia? Prove your point of view.
III. Translate into English paying attention to the active
vocabulary:
1. Культурные различия между США и Россией стали объек-
том обсуждения на состоявшейся в Воронеже конференции по
межкультурной коммуникации. Многие докладчики говорили о
культурном и этническом многообразии американского населения.
2. По телевидению и радио проводились многочасо
вые марафоны с целью сбора средств на восстановление разрушенного
пожаром здания библиотеки.
3. Из-за нехватки квалифицированных кадров проект, заду-
манный менеджером, провалился, и компании пришлось начинать все с начала.
4. Молодой семье было необходимо найти удобное, но недо-
рогое жилье, однако поиски дома затя
нулись.
5. Разница в возрасте у них значительная, но это не мешает им
оставаться лучшими друзьями уже десять лет.
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6. В этом маленьком городишке очень нелегко получить кон-
сультацию у хорошего юриста.
7. История о превращении Золушки в принцессу появилась на
первых полосах центральных газет.
8. Когда толпы переселенцев хлынули в Америку, им каза-
лось, что ее природные запасы неистощимы. Но в конце концов
расточительность в использовании ресурсов вызвала непредвиденные посл
едствия. Сегодня экологи думают, каким образом
разрешить возникающие проблемы.
IV. Make up short situations or dialogs using the active
vocabulary.
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
1. Do you think that the list of values given in the text is complete?
Would you agree that all of them are characteristic of American
society? Would you add or omit any of them? Prove your point of
view.
2. If you had to choose three most important American values
described in the text, what would they be? Why?
3. Would you call these values traditional for the U.S.A.? How
important are traditional American values today?
4. Are there any changes in the understanding of hard work,
success, attitude to material possessions, American dream, etc?
5. Who do you think should be regarded as a winner and a loser in
the context of American society?
6. Is the famous quotation from the Declaration of Independence
that the U.S. grants equal opportunities for all still valid?
7. How are the concepts of cooperation and rivalry viewed by
Americans?
8. To what extent can the values discussed in the text be found in
Russia?
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WRITING
Choose one of the suggested essay topics. Your essay should be
approximately 500—800 words in length.
1. You are writing a tour guide for Americans interested in Russia.
Think of the chapter that deals with Russian beliefs and values,
describe them in comparison with the American ideals.
2. Write a diary entry of a visitor to the U.S. describing his/her
experience of encountering American values and beliefs in daily life.
3. Speculate on the notion of the frontier. What meanings does the
term have? Does the frontier exist today? If so, how is it viewed by
contemporary Americans?
4. How is individualism reflected in American art? Can you think
of any manifestations of this value in painting, photography, movies,
songs, video clips, etc.? Give examples and comment on them.
5. How does the psychology of abundance correspond to the idea
of the growing consumerism in American society? Can consumerism
and materialism be regarded as another American value?
TEXT 2
FROM NYET TO DA
by Yale Richmond
There are, at the present time, two great nations in the world which seem to
tend towards the same end, although they started from different points: I allude
to the Russians and the Americans. Both of them have grown up unnoticed; and
whilst the attention of mankind was directed elsewhere, they have suddenly
assumed a most prominent place amongst the nations; and the world learned of
their existence and their greatness at almost the same time. All other nations
seem to have nearly reached their natural limits, and only to be charged with
the maintenance of their power; but these are still in the act of growth; all the
others are stopped, or continue to advance with extreme difficulty; these are
proceeding with ease and with celerity along a path to which the human eye
can assign no term. The American struggles against the natural obstacles which
oppose him; the adversaries of the Russian are men; the former combats the
wilderness and savage life; the latter, civilization with all its weapons and its
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