Urban America- Great Depression/Great Recession comparison

This photo shows the building of a shack being built in New York during the Great Depression. Considering the term 'American Dream' was first coined at a similar time to when this photo was taken, it is surprising that there was still such a belief in the supposed American Dream, given that thousands of people were living in 'homes' such as that in the photo- Hoovervilles- due to the Wall Street Crash, and the collapse of the stock market. However, the fact that these types of homes were being built in such circumstances, shows that there may have still been hope within the American community. Hope that there were still opportunities for the jobless in the US, perhaps why so many people continued living in, or moved to New York in search of work. 

This image of a tent village in a US city, that was suffering economically due to the recession of 2008. Some viewed this recession as the 'Greater Depression'. And it is easy to see why with images such as this, which show the deprivation that many people suffered, as a result of the collapse of many banks. Millions of people were left jobless, subsequently unable to afford to keep their houses. 

Despite the 80 year time difference, these images both show similar situations, and both question the notion that America is the land of opportunities, and just how realistic the American Dream is. Supposedly, the American Dream is about how happy someone is with what they have achieved, though is it clear from these images just how important material possessions are, in relation to someone's happiness and success, showing that the ideology of the American Dream is flawed.