Ambition Quote by Margaret Mead
“People in America, of course, live in all sorts of fashions, because they are foreigners, or unlucky, or depraved, or without ambition; people live like that, but Americans live in white detached houses with green shutters. Rigidly, blindly, the dream takes precedence.”
About This Quote
Source Essay: Coming of Age in Samoa, Margaret Mead, 1928
American housing ideals emphasize uniformity and material success, often at the expense of individuality and deeper values.
In simple terms: Americans favor uniform suburban homes over diverse living styles.
Question personal values over societal expectations.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- urban planning
- home buying decisions
- social critique
- personal lifestyle choices
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- How does housing shape personal identity?
- What alternatives to uniform suburbs exist?
Overlooks regional and socioeconomic diversity within America.