The American dream is the basic ideal that any American can achieve maximum success through hard work. Some people believe that the dream is no longer attainable in today's society because of various reasons. The concept of the American dream may have been altered slightly between the time when F. Scott Fitzgerald wrote The Great Gatsby and present day; however, it still has the same foundation of achieving success, freedom, and prosperity and will always be achievable through hard work and effort. The American dream is still realistic in today's society and many people believe that through hard work anyone can achieve success whether they are poor or privileged. Writer Hope Yan states that "you don't get anywhere without working hard  and "the poor should be encouraged to support themselves" (Yan). People live in poverty for various reasons, although some have no motivation to work hard and achieve the American dream because they receive free money from the government to suit their living needs. Some in the poor class would be able to climb the social ladder and reach the American dream if they had motivation to become successful, by going to college and working hard for what they want. James Lott (growing up on food stamps) worked hard to become successful by going to college and medical school (Yan). Lott is currently a Pharmacist making a six figure salary and enjoying the luxurious life that he worked and dreamed for. He became very successful and would not have achieved the American dream without one thing ”hard work." In addition, Lott explains that his single mother rose out of hardship by "starting a day-care business in their home" (Yan). Lott's mother single handedly managed her own day care so they could live better and have more opportunity. She put a great deal of hard work and effort into watching children all by herself while raising Lott to become the successful man he is today. In other words, Lott and his mo