Ruminate: H.O.H.B.T And The "American Dream?"
With regard to the H.O.H.B. Truck documentary, react to the commentary that it makes about the "American Dream", mentality, and lifestyle. Furthermore, how does it connnect or relate to our studied literature so far this semester. Please respond after each film excerpt we view, but you should onlyhave one blog response entry. In your response, please wonder, relate, question, think, etc... (Response Due Wed. 1-20-10 at 2:30p.m.)
posted by Greg T at Monday, January 11, 2010
56 Comments:
This contest maybe be a small one but for the lives of the contestants it could change their life, one woman said she sold her truck to pay her bills and this was her chance at another car, the truck represents the one goal someone is willing to sacrifice their body and mind to achieve and it could enhance their lives tremendously. As in any dream you need the right mentality to avoid getting brought down and finish in the end whether you end with a truck or a job or a family, great home, and money to support you.
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To us this contest might seem a little ridicules and far fetched, but for the people in that small Texas town this means the world to them. Most of these people don't have much money so by winning this truck they could do a number of things. The people that were interviewed, most of them weren't planning on keeping the truck, so this truck was just a way of winning a bunch of cash for other necessities. This truck represents the American dream because, most people want to prosper in life and you usually need money to do so. So these people are just trying to achieve this dream so by winning this truck they will have the chance to prosper in life.
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I could tell you how the American dream and the Hands on a Hard Body contest relate because to Texans a trucks is a lot... however this relates very little. The main reason these two concepts relate is based purely off work rate. No one on earth believes that the American dream can be obtained by just sitting around. Instead, the American dream is being able to be successful in work. In the contest the Texans must work to win. They must be both physically and mentally strong, something that you would need to achieve the American dream.
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I think this is absolutely hilarious. It is a great representation of American materialism and what better group to portray than a bunch of Texans, who we all know are the most patriotic of Americans. The priorities of some of these people are almost comical, for example the importance they place on a truck and the complete lack of care for things like grammar and dental hygiene. I am looking forward to what the rest of the video has in store.
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This documentary was about Texas's people entering a contest to win a truck. This relates to American Dream, because it is a dream to many to win a truck. Everyone entered for their own reason. Some people that entered the contest had a lot of stuff going on in their life that winning this truck would be the best thing to happen to them. Some may have entered for the fun of it. And that is okay, because we have the freedom to do almost anything. That is what most of the American Dream is about. Being able to enter a contest to win a truck. Living life to the fullest.
In my opinion the Hands on the Hardbody Truck contest has a deeper meaning then what it seen at a first glance. First we see people that want material hungry and want a truck that is all decked out. They want to be the owner and feel pride when they drive it down the road. But once you take a really good liik at it we see that these people are in this contest for a lot more then just a truck. Many of these people have nothing in their lives and need this truck in order to change life and better themselves. With the truck they will be able to get a job and have a home. They will be able to get from point a to point b without worrying about how and when they will get there. To many this is their American Dream. They see the chance at success and jump on it quickly. They all have some sort of mentality going into it but some are better then others. Some want to win for the title, while some are in it to challenge themselves. To many it is the opportunity of a lifetime. Personally I wonder what it would be like.
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To us this contest might seem a little ridicules and far fetched, but for the people in that small Texas town this means the world to them. Most of these people don't have much money so by winning this truck they could do a number of things. The people that were interviewed, most of them weren't planning on keeping the truck, so this truck was just a way of winning a bunch of cash for other necessities. This truck represents the American dream because, most people want to prosper in life and you usually need money to do so. So these people are just trying to achieve this dream so by winning this truck they will have the chance to prosper in life.
After watching more of this documentary it made me realize that everyones American dream is a little different. For example the short stories we have read and this documentary we are watching, everyone wants to achieve the "American Dream," but at the same time their versions are all different. In the short stories we read both women wanted to experience the life of the rich and the famous. In the documentary most of the citizens just want to be better of for the future. So as you can see the stories and the documentary have different opinions on what the American dream really is, but they all want to achieve greatness.
The docomentery HOHBT sets out to be inspirational and motivating, and in my opinion on the surface it is. The emotion of these people in texas is apparant if not overwhealming when it comes to this contest. Whether under financial stress or just for the want of this car every person has a reason and a will to win this truck. But on the deeper level should the concept of success and happiness revolving around material goods be seen as motivational or compared to the american dream? More times than I can count I have looked forward to obtaining things, foods to electronics to music and said if I could only get my hands on something like that, my life would be SO much better. When the day comes that i actually get this item, I find out that it is not all that it is cut out to be, that our sense of happiness and contentness, comes from the our minds view of the world, not a material possession infront of us. Does this mean that our american dream is scewed and corrupt? no, everyones dream is different, I just dont think that this is the right way that dream is going.
Once you start to recognize with and become familiar with each contestant you realize how much this contest means to them and this town. The very fact that a woman has up to 4500 people praying for her for a TRUCK, while very caring is not necessarily the right thing to be doing. Do you not think it is ridiculous that 4500 people get together to pray for a woman trying to win a truck, when they could be praying towards some of the worlds bigger problems?
What I was interested in and happy to see in this movie though was the comradeship that these contestants begin to share. While at first competeters, they all soon realize that there kind of in this together, and that they need to bond and get to know each other. While contestants were relieved to see someone go, they also felt a bit saddened by there leaving. I do believe that this movie while aimed in the wrong direction, shows the best of human nature.
The H.O.H.B Truck documentary is a small example of how someone may perceive their American dream. Some people watching this video may see this documentary as a joke because it is only a contest for winning a truck. However, in a Texan's eyes, this prize could be seen as a new chance to start over because in the beginning of the documentary the sales man said a truck in a Texans’ mind is as instinctive as putting a hat on and walking out the door. People in other cultures may see a truck as just another commodity, on the other hand in Texas, for a select few people; see this opportunity as their American Dream.
On day two of watching this video it has become prevalent that the challenge to keep a hand on the truck the longest may need more preparation than I would have suspected. People are now lasting twenty-four hours standing doing nothing and people are beginning to fall out one at a time. As the video interviews the remaining contestants there is a pattern that most people who have planned a strategy by either having a clear meaningful purpose to win such as faith or prepared physically and mentally for the contest are more likely to win. In America the hardest workers who want to achieve success come out on top normally which is what the American Dream stands for; working to achieve success or a goal.
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H.O.H.B.T has really shown what the "American Dream" can be to many people in America. The people in this contest are after this truck for many reasons, some may have more passion than others for those reasons. There are the people who need a truck because they need transportation and dont have the money. Then there are the people who want to sell the truck for money if they get it. Then there are just the people who want the truck to say they have a truck and feel they need one because of where they live. To these people in the small town in Texas having a truck is a big deal it shows that they have power in a sense, which can connect much to the "American Dream." The "American Dream" is based off of money, and power because people think it will make them happy. In all actuality though would getting a truck really fulfill their needs, and wants for life? Not really because people will always want more power more money for their lives to be better. These people in this contest will go through it some have made it pretty far now but at the end of the day there is only one winner. Only one person will take that truck home and all those people who thought their lives would be fulfilled through this contest wont because only one can go home with that prize. So why do people live their lives wanting more? well it's just human nature but at the same time we all want happiness so maybe instead of wanting money and power we should look at the things we have in front of us and remember we are living in the present. Not the future or the past.
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It is becoming more and more evident that the ideal for them is material possessions and they will sacrifice life and limb to achieve that. I would not want to have been the one who had to interview that lady after she was controversially removed from the competition. I’m not sure if it’s all of America, or just the south, but we look really dumb when there is a camera, a contest and a truck in front of us. It is good to see the kind of determination ordinary people can muster when they see an opportunity. My money is on the quite Latina lady, she is going to win it all.
The H.O.H.B Truck documentary is a good example of how people work hard at a dream of theirs. Although these people in the film are dreaming of winning the truck, they put their all they have into not giving a care what others may think of it. This documentary also relates to the reading by Hurston, because that young girl never viewed herself different just because her skin color wasn't the same as everyone around her. She also never gave up on what she believed in and kept working hard to make sure her big American dream came true.
It’s surprising to me that the contestants aren’t more disappointed when they quit. Quite a few of them just exit gracefully and almost seem content with their efforts, as if they didn’t just put themselves through 2 days of hell for nothing. Also, something that was very intriguing was the comradery between the contestants; though they are competing against each other they develop a bond and even a friendship. That one guy even came back the day after he was eliminated to cheer the remaining competitors on which was surprising because I would probably stay in bed for at least 3 days after standing next to a truck for that long. It really is something special an unique to Americans that we find common ground and initiate relationships with strangers, and even in Texas I saw very little prejudice towards any of the contestants when socializing. Once you look through the stupidity there are some nice qualities in these people.
Toward the end there were many factors that contributed to winning the contest, many stayed focus on god or keeping a clear mind to ensure that their hands never left the truck. This is similar to the american dream, staying focused on what lies ahead, and being sure not to slip up and hurt or ruin your chance. As in the "to be colored me" reading hurston talked about moving forward in her life and not letting her ancestors harsh past of slavery get the best of her, but rather forget completly, tuck it away and use as fuel on yur journey. In the contest all of the conestants had different reasons for wanting to win the truck, some just needed the money they could gain from selling it, or their job entitled having a truck, in comparison anyone who searches for their dream, will have a different individual dream and a reason for wanting to achieve it. This may seem far fetched to us, how important can a truck be? but to the people in this town i think it symbolizes prosperity and possibly, respect. So thinking of every ones different reasons for going after their goal, is an american dream in itself, everyone being able to have something different to strive for.
This documentary was about Texas's people entering a contest to win a truck. This relates to American Dream, because it is a dream to many to win a truck. Everyone entered for their own reason. Some people that entered the contest had a lot of stuff going on in their life that winning this truck would be the best thing to happen to them. Some may have entered for the fun of it. And that is okay, because we have the freedom to do almost anything. That is what most of the American Dream is about. Being able to enter a contest to win a truck. Living life to the fullest.
Towards the end of this docementary you see how dedicated some people are to winning this truck. They stayed focus and thought positive. This is similar to The American Dream because you have to stay focus and always think positive. If you think negative all the time then negative stuff will happen, but when you keep you head up good things will happen.
In this town, winning the truck is an American Dream. Winning this truck has so much different meaning behind it. Some want to earn respect, and others just really need a car. American Dream is different to everyone, its going out there, giving it your all and just living life
The H.O.H.B contest at first seemed like a joke to me. I was confused on what this had to do with our class and what the ponit of it was. But I realized that this contest represented the american dream. It proved how far a preson will go in order to fulfill their dream. Not only does it prove how far they will go, but it proved who truly wanted it most. The truck represented life. Through hot days, to delerious nights, it came down to the bottom two. At that point, the contest had flipped; who was physically capable to stay in the contest? So if a person's physical wellness isn't as strong as someone elses, does that mean that they aren't capable of completeing that american dream? Let's find out!
This movie is very relevant to the american dream in many ways. First, these people have the freedom to spend a few days standing with their hands on a truck. They can just waste a few days without actually having to do anything and no one can tell them that they can't do it. Next, one woman is going to sell the truck if she wins it. This is giving her the freedom to decide what she wants to do with her property. No one is going to say that she has to keep and drive the truck. This video really relates to the story about the woman who found the money. No one was telling her what she had to do with the money she had found, just as no one will tell the winner of the truck what to do, which is what I think is the American dream.
The new part of the movie we watched was still very relevant to the American dream. The people that were still standing were still living their version of the american dream. The lady that was listening to the music the whole time was just having a good time while she was standing by the truck and she wasn't complaining or saying anything bad about any part of the contest. She is not worried about anyone else and she is just thinking about herself. This is her version of the American dream. She has the ability to stand by a truck and just listen to music and maybe in the end win a truck that she can decide to sell for some extra cash or she can keep it and not have a car payment. Either way she gets to make the decision, no one else can. That is part of the American dream because she gets the choice to do whatever she wants with the truck and she doesn't need anyone else's consent on what to do.
A lot of the contestants have been eliminated by this point in time in the movie. The people that are still in the contest are still living the dream. They are still trying to get that free truck and make their lives just a little bit better. They can't all win the truck, obviously, but they can all work towards it. This is the american dream because even though they can't all win, they can still compete without having to lose anything they have. The contestants are all starting to find friends around the truck and they are talking to their friends to keep themselves awake. This is the american dream because they are free to talk to everyone and have a good time, even though they are competing with each other.
The contest came down to Benny, Norma, and one other person. Benny was the person who everyone thought would win. He was living his version of the American dream because even though he had already won the contest once before, he was able to try again without anyone saying he couldn't. He ended up quiting which is also his choice. He wasn't being forced to stay or go but he decided that he wanted to leave the contest. The remaining two people were then pitted against each other. They also were choosing to stay and compete. Norma was the next person to leave. She was making the choice to walk out on the contest also because she was too happy and wanted to clap her hands. The winner was definitely living the dream because he stood around a truck for 72 or more hours and got a free truck. Even though it was physically and mentally straining, he basically did nothing and won a free truck. His dream was achieved and he was free to drive away in his truck. This whole movie showed many different people's versions of the american dream and even though they couldn't all win, they got the opportunity to work towards their dream.
This documentary talks about people living in Texas's Dream. They all come from different backgrounds and all have a different reason why they are there. It can show that not everyone is fortunate enough to have the money to buy or have a car, so it’s a pretty big deal, to get the chance to win something like this. It can truly change a life around in an instant. They are trying to win a truck by keeping their hands on the truck at all times. This to me shows great dedication and desire that each of these individuals posses. They have to have the mentally aspect to get over being tired and mentally preparing themselves to be tired and bored. I think it shows that our American Dream today is very different from people 10 to 15 years ago. Putting yourself out there for 48 to 72 hours is extreme hard and strenuous on the mind and body. The desire has to be there, which means you are trying to achieve your dream no matter how painful it is.
A question I had is, Do the American Dream change with age? If you are a rancher or farmer it seems that a truck is like a cell phone to us. To them they would use it everyday, whether that is to hall things or check on something. For us our phone is like that. We check it constantly, always want to use it just like that want to use a truck for a good purpose. I also thought this quote from snickers man stuck out to me, " A truck brings in money, a car doesn't."
After watching more of the documentary i began to really understand what their American Dream was. It's very different from our possibly but that could be cause of background or whatever. We need to respect there dream and continue living ours but also not criticize theres.
After finishing the movie or documentary i noticed that every American Dream is different. Everyone has there needs and wants but we can only sometimes get little things at a time. This truck was an opportunity for the contests to achieve there American Dream and change there lifestyle. It showed me that with dedication and heart anything can happen to you.
To us this contest might seem a little ridicules and far fetched, but for the people in that small Texas town this means the world to them. Most of these people don't have much money so by winning this truck they could do a number of things. The people that were interviewed, most of them weren't planning on keeping the truck, so this truck was just a way of winning a bunch of cash for other necessities. This truck represents the American dream because, most people want to prosper in life and you usually need money to do so. So these people are just trying to achieve this dream so by winning this truck they will have the chance to prosper in life.
After watching more of this documentary it made me realize that everyones American dream is a little different. For example the short stories we have read and this documentary we are watching, everyone wants to achieve the "American Dream," but at the same time their versions are all different. In the short stories we read both women wanted to experience the life of the rich and the famous. In the documentary most of the citizens just want to be better of for the future. So as you can see the stories and the documentary have different opinions on what the American dream really is, but they all want to achieve greatness.
After watching the end of the H.O.H.B.T documentary I realized that this contest was no walk in the park for these people. These people wanted this truck so bad that they were willing to drop dead if it meant winning it. The last hand full of people it became all mental for them, the physical aspect of it was no longer important. It was mind over matter at this point. Some people went in to states of deliriousness before leaving. This just goes to show that the American dream is not easy to achieve. You have to work for it and it is going to be hard and sometimes you are going to want to give up but in the end it will be worth it.
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The contestants of this life changing contest battle through many hours of grueling pain and eccessive exhaustion for a hard body truck. But for some, this is a dream to have this truck. The pain and suffereing is always worth it in the endd and thats what i believe the American dream is. It wil always take work and you will have many obstacles along the way. One of the major parts about this contest is keeping your mind focused. The mental part of a competition is always more important than the physical part. Also, many of the contestants that entered are farmers or workers. Trucks are very good working vehicles and it could help the way they live. When we think about the determination it takes to win this contest, we want to say its stupid. Why would anyone want tostand next to a truck for 2 days? These contests have a lifestyle/dream of winning the truck. We may think that the actions and mindset is dumb, but then they amy say the exact same thing to us if we told them what we wanted. Everyone is different and wants individual stuff. Could the contestants change their actions and mindset into something new after competeing in this contgest?
In H.O.H.B.T, the American Dream was determination and never giving up. In the contest winning the truck meant everything to those people. Some had to sell their old cars/trucks just to pay the bills, and for them to win a brand new one would mean the world to them. People sat there for days and days just to try and win the truck. One thing they each had in common was that they all had their mind set on one thing, and that was winning the truck. One lady had all her faith in God and that took her very far. She lost because she started clapping. Having God with her made her so happy that she couldn't help herself.
Each person encouraged the other. They weren't trying to deceive eachother because they all wanted one thing. When you have the right mentality and faith in God it will got you farther than you could ever imagine.
The documentary really shows that the American dream is working for what you want and the determination it takes. Within the movie I feel as listening to the people gives a broader perspective. Some people are doing the contest for the prize itself or to get money off of it and support themselves. Also there are some people who want to test their limits. All the contestants show the determination and drive that Americans have to reach their dream. In the beginning of the contest everyone starts out perfectly fine and are all convinced they have what it takes to win the tuck in the end. Along with the strength the people also have what they believe will get them through the competition. One woman believes that god will help her so she has friends praying and continues to listen to church music the whole time. In the end she gets really far in the competition and only lost because she got to in to dancing with her friends and started to clap. Her belief is strongly built in to America in our laws and the overall beliefs. Other people had weird ideas like someone was just going to eat snickers. I personally believed this guy to be not to bright or to well educated. As the competition went on people started to get tired but most of them held in there. I feel like the determination the people were showing was truly a good reflection on the American dream and working for what you want. All the contestants who made it to the top number of people showed incredible determination. They had a mixture that as Americans we like a challenge as long as it’s not to challenging and that we won’t always hold out. Yet while showing that as one our weakness it showed our strength in the American dream of if we believe in something we get behind and fight for it.
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The American Dream and the Hands on a Hard Body Truck film are similar because of several reasons. If you are a person not from the United States but traveled here in order to achieve a better lifestyle you must have determination, will power, and mental strength. The film also represents all of these qualities because to these southern folks it’s more than just a truck, its about you being tougher and stronger than the other contestants.
To most of the students in class I think most of us find this contest uninteresting, stupid, and worthless. However even though we feel this way about the contest everyone’s American Dream is different weather it’s making money, being happy, or having a family, to these contestants I believe their dream is to win that brand new truck.
After viewing the film a few times you begin to see that the contestants are not trying to defeat each other but they are helping each other. This was a surprise to me because when I hear the word contest I think a bunch of people competing against each other for something important and that’s why I don’t understand why all these people can want something so bad and sacrifice their health for it yet still help out their competitors.
I think back after seeing the film and noticed that the winner of the contest was hardly in the film from what I can remember. I feel that the director did this on purpose so the winner would be portrayed as a surprise to all of us. This contest showed me that the American Dream is achieved daily and the people who sacrificed an enormous amount just to win a truck displayed determination, will power, and mental strength.
This documentary is very relevant to the American Dream. It shows that no matter your social class or who you are, you have opportunities that others might not have. These people entered a contest to win a truck. Some needed this mean of transportaion and others came just to win it and sell it. Some might find it silly that they would be willing to place their hand on truck for so long but for some it was essential. This contest also showed the greed of Americans. The man that had won the contest before entered again to win again. This shows his greed. This contest shows the freedom that we have to do something this crazy and the choice we have to keep the prize or do something else with it. After watching more of the documentary, I realized that the American Dream has different meanings to everybody. We may laugh and criticize at these contestants but they are just living their American Dream and we should not judge although this contest seems comical. By the end of the documentary, it became apparent how far people are willing to go to live their American Dream. These people went through mental and physical pain to try to get this truck. Some needed it and others just wanted the money but because of freedom of choice they were able to do this. It was interesting to see how people strategized to achieve their American Dream. Some became friends with each other where others were not friendly. Everytime someone would fall out of the competition, their goal to achieve the American Dream was over. The lady who listened to religious music really stood out in my mind because she tuned everything out and just listened to that. By the end, these people were delirious. Their minds were so gone but they wanted that truck so bad. This shows that no matter how hard the circumstances are, people are willing to do anything to achieve the American Dream.
I think I made all the connections to the American Dream that I could possibly make in my earlier posts, but I’ll give some commentary on the movie anyways. I was kind of surprised that the lady didn’t win; I guess you could have predicted that she was crazy pretty early on. That guy who won was the total sleeper, he hardly said a word the entire time and now he is the proud owner of a 1995 Nissan truck. I guess the American Dream really is all about material possessions.
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The H.O.H.B. contest is a very unusual yet very interesting and entertaining event. I think that these people are absolutely crazy for doing this because I don't think the prize is worth what they have to do. It shows how determined and strong these contestants are. The truck may not sound that great to people around Colorado or other places, but to them it is something of a necessity. The beginning of the H.O.H.B. contest is very uplifting because of the people and their life stories, and why they want that truck more than anything. The contestants show mental toughness, consistency, hard work, courage, and determination. As the contest became longer, more people are starting to wonder what they have really gotten themselves in to. It is comical to hear the reactions of the people that have to stand up for hours doing absolutely nothing. The heat and the boredom would have me out of that contest in less than one hour. Watching this video has introduced me to a view on another lifestyle. People in Texas are extremely courteous and seem not to care about what others think of them. Their American Dream is different than mine because I want to become a wealthy, healthy, happily married person when I grow up, and the Texans in this video dream of just being able to have a nice and dependable truck. Their passion rattles me. I believe that the person that will win this contest is the one that truly wants it the most. It reminds me of my hockey coach when he tells our team that the only kids that will make it to the NHL or Division 1 College hockey are the kids that want it the most. The contest is still going and people are leaving. The heat is getting to them and the constant standing is creating pain in the contestants legs and feet. The mental focus is clearly the most important factor in winning this competition, not something physical. Going back to the American Dream connection with this documentary, I believe that these contestants want the truck so that they can use it to help them achieve their American Dream. My point is that the truck isn't the dream, it is what the truck can do. After seeing the contestants stay after 60 hours, I think that the ones left are either on meth, or are just completely insane. It is ridiculous to waste so much time, the focus and mental toughness these people have makes me wonder if they are human. Overall, this video shows a great interpretation of another type of culture and their most prized possessions. My respect for Texans has gone way up after seeing what some of them can handle.
The H.O.H.B Truck documentary really symbolizes the greater meaning and view of the American dream. To some this truck might just be another vehicle. For other this truck might repsresent life. This truck represents the means and way to provide for their family. In order to fulfill the American Dream of having a family, working hard to provide for them, and succeeding in that, this truck might be someones only hope. So in a way this truck might represent the American Dream to some people. There were some who were in this contest to defend their name. There were some in it just to win a car to save money. Others were in it as their only hope to fullfill their dreams. In any case, this truck represented and held much significance for these people entering the contest. The motivation piece that comes along with this American dream really goes a long way in keeping people in this contest. The possibility of obtaining something that was otherwise out of reach. Throughtout the movie, these people start to bond together as family bond by a shared goal. They build friendships and this contest and the people in it become more meaningful then anyone expected. Although at first look, this conest seems as if it is just for greedy people, it seems to have its deeper significance too. On the flipside though, this contest does go against many people's American Dream. The American Dream does not have to be about material possessions. It can be able the intangable, the things that last longest and mean the most. This contest really is motivated by something that can only bring temporary happiness.
Well as mundane and ridiculous as this entire contest sounds, it really is similar to the American dream. Everyone's dream is different, whether someone wants money or a family, but everyone requires a similar mindset to achieve that goal. You need a determination and an inner strength with a will to win or a will to be successful. This contest obviously brings out those same intentions and ideas even if it is just a contest to win a truck.
Many of these people needed to win the truck to pay for different things in their life, some needed a new truck, others still thought it sounded like fun. Reardless of the reasons it shows how inclined and ready you are to face the American Dream and all the hardships that come along with it.
When I first started watching this movie I saw it as a joke. I still see it as a joke; but it shows determination and motivation. Just as the American Dream could be money or family. To be able to perform this task you must be willing to commit. The truck in the video was important to the people that were competing to achieve it. If someone is willing to stand for 70 some hours with no sleep and only short breaks then them it must be something they really want. The truck is like a life long dream that because to some it’s a source of transportation, vehicle to carry stuff around, and some people needed it for financial difficulties. The religious lady thought it was Gods will that she have that truck so she stood up as long as she could without going crazy. You can achieve anything if you have the will power to do so. Whether its money, a job, family, or a truck. If you are willing to put in the effort then you can achieve anything.
When we first started watching the movie, I thought that it was just some sill competition in a small town in Texas. After watching the movie i now see that it is way more than a silly competition in Texas, its part of the American Dream, it shows determination. All the contestants were willing to stand with their hand on the truck for as long as they could to try to win the truck. Although, many of them didnt last a very long time, they still showed determination. They all believed that they would win the truck. All the contestants had a different reason for entering the contest, for some, if they won, they would sell the truck because they needed the money more than the truck. For others, they just wanted to win the truck. To stand with one hand on a truck for 3+ days, shows a lot of determination. The American Dream is different for everbody, but they all consist of the same things, hard work, and determination. With some hard work and determination, anything is possible no matter how silly it is to other people.
The H.O.H.B. Truck documentary seems like an extremely vague and skewed view of how Americans act and their perception of the dream, at first. Since most their dreams revolved around winning the decked out truck, it showed how the appreciation of little important things guides us to do ridiculous tasks. However, the truck symbolizes the hopes and dreams of these particular Americans and the tradition stabilized in their community. In order to achieve this need, they each must give up certain necessities; to earn the dream. Even though this is a competition, they work together and keep each other occupied by conversing and getting to know one another. Yet they each have tactics to stay in the game. Like what type of food eaten, or how they use their breaks. One lady, was very spiritual, so she listened to music and had her church prayer for her. But as time went on, and another person dropped out, a bittersweet satisfaction came about. This is a different type of view of American life. It perceives Americans as unintelligent and stupid, that we do not have adequate dreams or a sense of reality. As our roots have shown, revolving around the hospitality and farming lifestyle. Although, the determination of how we will do anything to get what we need and want was shown in a great way.
Many have come to this country to achieve the American dream and have failed, due to harsh setbacks. Yearly, thousands of undocumented immigrants try to sneak into this country, willingly knowing the consequences, to get their shot of the American dream. Some are plagued by family members or stopped by border patrol, thusly sent back. However tough those may be, most still decide to cross the desert in harsh heat, sometimes without food or water; Along with the risk of being attacked by animals or even dying, to reach US soil. As crazy as this type of torture may seem to most people, it’s done on a daily basis. Yet, there are some who can’t, or won’t last long due to their age, physical condition, or mentality. Similarly to the Texans in this contest to win a new truck; they must each go through outrageous hardship, under bazaar terms, like standing up and not sleeping for 3 days straight, to receive a necessity, which ultimately makes their life easier.
Each of us has an American dream, whether it directly relates to America or not. It is our own personal goals in life that define them, even if it may seem ridiculous to others. Most people want to make a better life for themselves, or their children, by providing an easier path. Although, it is a rather difficult task, that takes hard work and determination. Ultimately, if we all work together and help each other out, there is nothing we can’t achieve to make this country and world a better place.
well seeing as no one here has ever been to such a great state in there life i can understand why they think that this competition is just a joke. But this film shows a lot about the American dream. This isn't just a truck this is pretty much there way of life for people who have to run farms and haul stuff around there farms. I believe that the American dream in this film is shown big by the was that motivation is one of the biggest factors for coming to this country.The motivation for these people to win the truck was huge because of how much of an impact that it could have on the people that were competing for it. Even with the mental and physical strain that it had on the contestants the dream of winning this truck was like an American dream for them like no other. With a new truck it was like a new life could begin for them.
People are able to sacrifice everything they have in life to go after a dream in this time it was a truck that it was in a competition of who can resist the most with the hands on the truck, the longest one, or the last one in the truck will drive the truck home. So this represent the people that follow the american dream, in another point they have issues with others staffs in life so that they need to win something in exchange, this give them more strength putting away they own feelings those one of tired, maybe angry, they want to get this price so this is a challenge, willing to sacrifice the body and mind in order to win, this price make people see that the american dream is not easy to get, so they see and learn that this government is not going to give them everything they want just because there is the american dream. This point of view gives them a especial information that "there is not such thing as a free lunch" this quote is a economy one because nothing is free in this country, you must fight every day to see the rewards that this country has for you, and not just a single truck price, there is more, but you must put your part in this game of survival to see what is the difference between the truck, and the other amazing thing you can do.
Hands on a Hard Body represents the American dream in several ways, most predominately the effort to achieve a goal no matter the stakes necessary to obtain it. Although indepent, the initial motivation for every individual in the contest centered, literally, around the prize. Americans in their effort to obtain indepence expessed the same driving force to achieve their goal: determination. Though detrimental to their safety, from the British or for individual body needs, the force within them to obtain a better way of life drove them on. This concentrated effort directly symbolizes the true meaning behind the American dream.
Important to note as the documentary progressed was the inital rivalry between the contestants to ultimately a hidden motive to assist others once exposed to the enduring task. This uniting presence existed in the colonists as well. Oppressed under similar conditions, commonly people rise together to end the mistreatment. Friends were created even in an environment of natural hostility due to the brutal circumstances. This factor also relates to the American dream for it represents the background to its origin.
In regards to items of study this semester, this documentary really contains similar implications as "How it Feels to be Colored Me". She struggles mentally and physically to obtain her social status as an individual, not just another colored person. The contestants have to overcome their own minds natural temptations to quit; both contain similar comparative aspects.
The HOHBT competiton, while not very well-known, is one of the most meaningful competitions when relating to the American dream. Throughout the entire videotaping of the competiton, the interviewed contestants comment on how much they want this truck, how long they are willing to go for it. Nearly every single competetor talked about how all their ancestors own or owned a truck and they dream of becoming like them. Their dream is to push themselves as far as they can, not giving in, all in hopes of achieving their goal that most have been preparing for weeks. If this was just a simple friendly competition then you would see people dropping out in the first couple hours, you would see people leaving the exact same way they entered instead of leaving with weak legs, sore arms, dehydration, starvation. All of these things are what people are willing to do to achieve their American dream.
H.O.H.B.T has really shown what the "American Dream" can be to many people in America. The people in this contest are after this truck for many reasons. There are the people who need a truck because they need transportation and dont have the money, there are the people who want to sell the truck for money to pay for stuff like dental care, and then there are just the people who want the truck to say they won the contest and feel they need a truck because of where they live. To these people in Texas having a truck is a big deal it shows that they have power and like to get the job done manually, which can connect much to the "American Dream." The "American Dream" is based off each idividuals perspective, and what eventually makes them succesfull and happy. In all actuality though would getting a truck really fulfill their needs, and wants for life? Well it could, winning the truck could help some of theese people reach sucess and happiness. Only one person will take the truck home and all those people who thought their lives would be fulfilled through this contest wont because the truck will only belong to one person. So why do people live their lives wanting more? well it's just human nature but at the same time we all want happiness. So, wanting more and being greedy is a natural part of the "American Dream".
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