The new world discovered by Christopher Columbus in 1492, would lead to a new start for people’s lives in America for centuries to come. America today is still referred to as the land of dreams, but over three hundred years ago that phrase had much more meaning to the people. A few people would travel across the Atlantic in search of Asia to establish faster trade routes, later some would travel to the new world to find riches, and than even more would travel for freedom. The literature these people have left behind, gives us some idea of just what their dreams were and how they either succeeded or failed in their quests for a better life.

“A thousand different sorts of trees, with their fruit were to be met with, and of a wonderfully delicious odor. It was a great affliction to me to be ignorant of their natures, for I am very certain they are all valuable; specimens of them and of the plants I have preserved” (Columbus 108-109). Columbus, thinking he had reached Asia, soon realized he had not and became aware of the fact that he had discovered land that no other Europeans knew of. The islands he landed on did not consist

“We hold these truths to be self evident: that all men are created equal; that they are endowed by their Creator with certain inherent and inalienable rights; that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness… whenever any form of government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the right of the people to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new government, laying its foundation on such principles, and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their safety and happiness” (971).

Thomas Jefferson had the dream of being a successful politician and also a free man from England’s constant bullying of the colonies. Jefferson became successful in his quest of a better life by becoming a President of the U.S. and the Declaration of Independence became the groundwork for which the constitution of the United States was written.

Thomas Jefferson, a century later, did not only create a better life for himself, but he helped create a better life for us today. The dreams we have today and the dreams Americans have had in the past, are a direct result of his writing the Declaration of Independence. In the Declaration of Independence Jefferson writes:

Jefferson, Thomas. “Autobiography of Thomas Jefferson.” The Heath Anthology

of American Literature. Ed. Paul Lauter, et al. 4th ed. Vol 1. Boston: Houghton Mifflin, 2001. 970-974.

Literature. Ed. Paul Lauter, et al. 4th ed. Vol 1. Boston: Houghton Mifflin, 2001. 251-256.

Some topics in this essay:
Christopher Columbus, January February, Independence Jefferson, John Smith, Description England, Paul Lauter, Thomas Jefferson, Native Americans, Plantation Pilgrims, Bradford Jefferson, american literature, boston houghton mifflin, vol 1 boston, 1 boston, houghton mifflin, ed vol, 4th ed, vol 1, ed vol 1, boston houghton, et al 4th, al 4th, 4th ed vol, anthology american, et al,