Popular culture has had a significant influence on how social and economic class have been viewed over
time. Some consider the United States to be a classless society. After all, the U.S. does not have an
obvious aristocracy.
Several myths exist about social and economic class, including the American Dream: the idea that anyone
can get rich, or be famous, through hard work alone. A well-known rags-to-riches tale is the Cinderella
story, in which a wealthy romantic partner rescues the main character and lifts her from a hard life into a
higher social and economic class. Most cultures around the world have a version of this tale.
Consider how audiences have received such representations of social and economic class. Have popular
culture representations of social and economic wealth slowed down society’s engagement with economic
and social issues? Does the perpetuation of the myth that anyone can succeed through hard work prevent
society from addressing issues of poverty?
Sample Solution