A national philosophy of the United States, the American Dream, is the ideal that all American citizens should have an equal opportunity to achieve prosperity and success through perseverance, determination and hard work. There are countless stories, nonfiction and fiction, that shape the American dream today. However, due to inequality of opportunity and lack of education, some Americans find themselves desperate and stuck in low-paying jobs and poverty. After her experience living as a lower-class worker, Barbara Ehrenreich attempts to establish that it is very likely that low-wage workers will remain in minimum wage jobs and that the American dream is unattainable in her experience "Serving in Florida ". However, Adam Shepard rebukes Ehrenreich's assertion through his investigation, Scratch Beginnings, where he starts from the ground up and strives to achieve his goals. Shepard attempts to change most Americans' pessimism about the American dream by believing that a positive mindset can lead to success. Between the two works, Shepard's use of ethos makes his argument more compelling in the idea that the American dream is achievable for everyone. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”? Get an original essay In an effort to bring the American dream to life, Shepard brings the story of "rags to rags plus amateurs" to life. His goal was to change Americans' lethargic attitude toward what may seem elusive by showing them that a positive mindset and attitude can change their lives. Starting his experiment with just twenty-five dollars, a sleeping bag, a tarp, an empty duffle bag, a high school diploma, and the clothes on his back, Shepard works toward his goal: a house, $2,500 in cash and a stable. post within 365 days. Shepard attempts to inspire Americans who aspire to the American dream by saying, “I am not an extraordinary person accomplishing extraordinary feats. I don't have any special talents that I can use to "impress" potential employers. I am average” (4). He claims to be nothing more than average, establishing that anyone, whether classified as "ordinary" or "special", can achieve the American dream. Contrary to Ehrenreich's assertion that the American dream no longer exists, Shepard shapes his vision of life in "a world of independence – free from responsibility – where each day would be up for grabs or, if only wished, to waste” (15). He comes to an interesting conclusion: the homeless people housed in the shelter choose to live in “a world full of potential but devoid of ambition” (15). However, he distances himself from the rest of the crowd by encouraging himself and reminding himself, “Likewise, a day off would prevent me from achieving my goal” (25). Shepard realizes that every day is precious because he can one day get closer to achieving his goals. Throughout the time he had to work tirelessly every day, Shepard maintained a positive mindset, which was one of the keys that got him into the apartment he got. won. He adds: “I knew I was going to succeed. Now more familiar with my surroundings, I knew what I had to do to achieve this. It wasn't going to be easy, but I had a plan, and now all that remained was to put my plan into action” (35). Although there were moments of success, there were also moments of fear when Shepard was turned down for certain jobs, but hestill continued to surpass himself. He expresses: “My faith was declining, but I remained fearless” (43). Through frugal tactics and genuine effort, Shepard constantly thought ahead and took advantage of the few resources he had, earning his furnished apartment, $2,500 in cash, and a car in just six months. As a successful woman who comes from "crafts directly to the factory" (269), Ehrenreich comes to the conclusion that the poor will always be poor and the rich will get richer, failing to test her mathematical proposition and its personal experience. Unlike Shepard, Ehrenreich did not feel motivated or hopeful for her future working in low-wage jobs. She often felt like she couldn't be herself because of the pressure to be accepted by her colleagues. When her boss told her she couldn't bond with her clients, she said she "felt like I'd just been stripped naked by the crazy enforcer of an ancient sumptuary law: No conversation for you, my daughter” (271). Feeling disenfranchised, she says, "Chatting with customers is reserved for the handsome, young, college-educated waiters at downtown carpaccio restaurants, the kids who can earn $70 to $100 a night" (271). . Not only did she experience physical discomfort during her experience, but she also experienced emotional distress and insecurities, which discouraged her from believing she could make her dream a reality. Additionally, she asserts that workers must exercise discretion when it comes to skipping a shift, taking drugs, and taking so-called "lunch breaks" due to "rationality of business” (272). Looking back on his previous life, Ehrenreich realizes a significant difference between the way middle- and upper-class workers are treated. Often, middle-class workers are treated as potential enemies, embarrassed by their employers and denied basic rights like privacy and free speech. In response to customer complaints, Ehrenreich admits that she began to develop a hatred toward certain people she never intended to hate. She complains: "There are the traditional types of assholes: the frat boys who buy several Buds and then make a fuss..." (271). She realizes that she may have gone from someone who got along with most people to someone who has personal biases toward a certain group. She also doesn't recognize the moderately courageous woman she used to be when she couldn't defend George, one of her good colleagues. Unlike Shepard who felt the encouragement and support of the homeless shelter, Ehrenreich felt constant negativity and pressure that ultimately led her to abandon her experiment. Ehrenreich encounters twisted situations and fails to find the strength and motivation to get closer to the American dream because of his negative attitude and mindset. On the other hand, Shepard has excelled through adversity by keeping his attitude and mindset positive. The difference between Ehrenreich and Shepard lies in their outlook on overcoming difficulties with positivity. Shepard took every opportunity to earn at least a penny a day. He didn't look down on any job: he worked hours shoveling dog feces for only minimum wage. His attitude was that any work “would be better than nothing” (25). He concluded each day on a positive note, for example: “I was happy just working” (26). Of..