In this part of the essay I can see the relationship that developed between Leopold and the Oak tree. Leopold believes this tree and all other Oaks are special because they has beat all the odds he states, “Only one acorn in a thousand ever grew large enough to fight rabbits; the rest were drowned at birth in the prairie sea” (8). This section stood out to me because trees seem like a very common occurrence. I see them every day. It never occurred to me that they fight to live and to grow. When Leopold learns of the death this tree he and his fellow woodsmen mourn the loss as if it were a person (9). Leopold knows this tree has lived through a lifetime of experiences. Leopold states, “Fragrant little chips of history spewed from the saw cut, and accumulated on the snow before each kneeling sawyer (9, 10). To Leopold trees are history. Ever since I was a child I always regarded Earth and its nature as a museum. All the trees I saw as a little kid were there long before I was and will be there long after I am gone. Reading the essay “Good Oak” confirmed my belief about the connection between history and…
America is simply defined as “the land masses and islands of North America, Central America, and South America”. However, to the people of this nation, America stands for so much more. Many years ago, settlers came to the Americas for many reasons. Although it was not easy, we have them to thank for establishing this great nation. There were many elements important to American identity during this time, and some of these elements can still be seen today.…
America is the land of the free, the land of the brave, and the land of opportunities. However, throughout history this country has endured hardship to reach its success. For the past 500 years, America has been explored, established, and has evolved over time. Although this nation has undergone changes, America’s identity is traced back to its roots that started it all. Exploration, wealth, and power influence the identity of this mighty nation.…
To be an American means to grow politically, socially, economically and culturally as individuals and as a nation. Throughout history America has adapted and progressed as a country through success and setbacks. Will Allen and colonists throughout history share many characteristics and experiences in success through failure. These movements and experiences developed America and Allen into what they are today.…
People in the United States differ greatly in beliefs, physical appearances, and heritage; yet we all call ourselves Americans. We feel prouder than ever to say "I am American," raising American flags, wearing symbolic shirts, and showing true patriotism. But what really makes us American? What is the common factor that unites us? Is it our pride in our country? Our culture and style? Or maybe it is our liberties granted to us by the constitution? America spans three centuries and over eight generations. A lot has transpired in that time to make us into who we are today. All in all, America has a very diverse society and a multitude of rights, which give us our identity.…
In The More Factor, by Laurence Shames, it is explained that the wholly American views of unending frontier, opportunity, and more have always been a part of who we are as a people. Over time these ideals and their growth have shifted from that of the physical world to that of economic expansion. Eventually society was faced with the realization that this growth is not sustainable, and that we must face this truth in order to reevaluate and shift our values to a more realistic view. I feel that this change in cultural values is something that must be dealt with in order for our society to continue to be relevant in today’s world.…
Throughout American history there have been many theories as to the makeup of this diverse nation. One of the most popular refers to America as the “great melting pot,” suggesting that America is a place where all kinds of different cultures and beliefs combine to form a uniquely American identity. Thomas Paine here, however, seems to be more in accord with the “tomato soup” analogy where it states that the essence of American culture is the tomato soup, that is, the so-called “American creed,” a combination of liberty, self-government, social mobility, and economic independence, while other cultures add ingredients and spices to the soup, but do not change its nature as being a pot of tomato soup. Paine suggests that despite the diversity of American population, “the simple operation of constructing government on the principles of society and the rights of man” brings “cordial unison" and serves as the basis of American society as the tomato taste is the basis of the soup. Although his assertion of diversity and the importance of rights of man seems to hold true today, that they continue to bring unity is no longer accurate.…
The creation of our nation occurred only a few hundred years ago. The origins of the American Story will include many groups that inhabited the American continents for hundreds of years, as well as rival European nations fighting for supremacy that ultimately culminated in the rebellion of the thirteen colonies against the British Empire in 1776. While the study of our history includes dates and facts about Presidents and wars; our story is the story of legends, curses and folk tales that have originated here in the Americas during the past three centuries and have stood the test of time. Names like Washington, Franklin, Lincoln, and Roosevelt are synonymous with American History, but it is also the “common man’s” journey that makes our history captivating, tragic and beautiful.…
When a person thinks about the United States of America, things like our freedom, our rights, our system of government, and our pride come to mind. American is said to be the greatest nation in the world from those who live here and from those around the world who are seeking to make it their home as well. The United States is looked to for protection it times of trouble and for hope in times of desperation. But what really made us the greatest country in the world? Some say it is our military strength and our capability to protect ourselves and others prove that we are the best, while others say it is our system of democracy. However, it is all of the people who inhabit it that really define our level of greatness. All of the individuals who have ever lived in America, from its founding to present day, have helped shape the ideas that make American what it is. These ideas have been constantly changing and will change for as long as America exists. Benjamin Franklin and Henry David Thoreau were two individuals that helped shaped American identity, character, and thought into what it is today.…
In Creating America, Joyce Moser and Ann Watters suggest that, “In understanding American Identities, we need to come to terms with unity and division, with separateness and common grounds.” In other words, for understanding American society one must understand its contradictions and the irony they represent. For thousands of years humans have emerged themselves in the constant quest of finding who they are as individuals and ultimately as a society. This constant quest has become more complex as the years pass, especially in America, where a multiple combination of people from different cultures, races and religions coexist. This coexistence has kept the American self-image compelling to others and thus bringing more individuals to the nation. For understanding a nation as a whole one must understand its individuals, and since America does not have a set standard of what one must look like in order to declare themselves as Americans, one can only conclude that the American Identity remains undefined, even after taking and analyzing all the contradictions.…
In the first paragraph, Alfred M. Green begins by pointing out America's undeniable ability to inspire burning patriotism in its citizens. He indicates that it is time to prove themselves, a great nation, of their bravery and patriotism to the world, claiming that love of country, freedom, and civil and religious toleration is present in this great republic. Moreover, he insists that these principles that they possess are those which they need to reveal to others. Green then continues on by mentioning that these values, allow men with true patriotism to love their country, no matter…
The history of every country is shaped by nationalistic pride and action. America is no different - its rich and celebrated history has been driven by American nationalism, which has brought the United States to where it is today. Nationalism is defined as patriotic feelings, principles, or efforts, and it can be exercised in many different ways - all of which have been seen in the history of the United States. Expressions of nationalism include advocating for the political independence of one’s country, opposing tyranny and oppression of one’s country, and believing one’s country to be superior to others- a belief known as exceptionalism. Americans’ nationalistic ideals and tendencies have driven the major conflicts and ideological movements…
This growth that Melinda finds in her art class is established by the archetype of the tree, which is indicative of “life.” The tree symbolizes nourishing, sheltering, knowledge, growth, and phases. Melinda’s progress with this tree faces several phases, like life, from the beginning of the year to the end of the year. When she first begins her tree product, she states: “…I have been painting watercolors of trees that have been hit by lightning. I try…
The required reading material has made an attempt to convince the reader as to why they should essentially believe in the “American Dream.” Throughout the reading there are countless mentions and references to moments in which America had its back against the wall. However, the common denominator seen in each essay is how democracy prevailed. Each speech is so infused with patriotism that the reader, upon reading both to completion, is led to believe if someone were to lacerate each speech with the most minor of cuts, the documents would bleed red, white, and blue. In other words, each essay is attempting to convince the reader why it is so great to be an American.…
In this day and age, to be American is something frequently mocked. With all the stereotypes, it makes us wonder what it truly means to be American. Does it mean to be fat and unhealthy? Greedy and demanding? Racist and Harsh? This is the brand we are all marked with as a whole nation, but I reject these labels. To be an American is something we should be proud of. By the definition I see, it is something to be proud of, even in the darkest and harshest of times when we do things we will never forgive; these are just mistakes that many make, and it shouldn't deter us from taking pride in morals this country holds.…