The American Dream

Journey or Destination

Immigrants arriving to New York 1900s

Dave Jensen Wordle

Henry Dobbins Wordle

What is more important; the journey or the destination?

I think the destination and the journey are equally important.

Must people think that the journey is more important because it is what shapes you. The journey gives you experience, knowledge, and wisdom. It is in the journey where you have fun, and where you are tested with multiple tasks to see if you can overcome them. The poem Limited by Carl Sandburg says, "I am riding on a limited express, one of the cracks trains of the nation/ hurtling across the prairie into blue haze and dark air go fifteen." His quote represents how the journey gives you tests during your journey, and it can be difficult. Another quote says, "men and women laughing," representing how the journey can be fun. The journey makes you the person you are now, and it is also where you make some of the most important decisions of your life.

But then why bother so much with the destination? The destination is your ultimate goal. The destination is where you prove to yourself and others that you made it. All the tests you were put through in the journey are paid back when you reach your destination. Sandburg in his poem wrote, "Omaha" as the destination. The passanger reached his destination after the hurtling ride. Without destination there is no journey. Many people say the quote "keep your eyes on the prize." This quote represents that the destination is the one that motivates you to keep going through the journey.

In my opinion the destination and the journey are both equally important for the reasons shown above. They compliment each other. They go hand-in-hand.