Amerikanske værdier i 'Arnold Schwarzenegger' og 'Born in the U.S.A.'

As written in the text “Basic American Values and Beliefs” the basic American values are individualism vs. self-reliance, equality of opportunity vs. competition and material wealth vs. hard work. How the American values and beliefs are expressed in the main characters lives in respectively “Arnold Schwarzenegger” and “Born in the U.S.A.” have big consequences. I will go into details about this in my text.

Arnold Schwarzenegger has a positive attitude to the USA. He is born in a little Austrian town, and moves to the USA when he is 21 to achieve his goal. His dream is to become the best bodybuilder in the world. During hard work, where he does not allow any interfering, his dream comes true. This also results in material wealth. Arnold has been working concentrated for five years to achieve his goal. That is an American value – you have to work hard if you want material wealth.

“Winning” is a very important word to Arnold. To him it means to be the best and to have every competitor to give up when going up against him. As another American value says, you have the desire and ability to control your own destiny without outside interference from any authority, e.g. the government. This is an individual freedom Arnold makes use of. He is self-reliant, and trains as much as necessary to be the best. I think Arnold likes America this much because he is successful. It is easier to love a country where your dream comes true than if the country does not live up to your expectations.