The American Idea Essay The American Idea by Theodore H. White is an inspiring non-fiction piece. Many thoughts are brought to mind when the term “The American Idea” is heard. White examines how only an idea could cause so many people to fight, and to give up their home life. The purpose of him writing this story is to show the numerous readers that there is something greater than material things, there is a way of life, and we are the country brought that way of life to light. Now, people across the globe have brought the idea into their own heads.
Carmen Mejia RWS 200/Professor Copeland Rhetorical Analysis 25 September 2011 Project One: Rhetorical Analysis Many individuals believe that American life is purposefully programmed by their leaders to be simple and easy, in order to "deprive citizens from having to actually think for themselves and be independent" (154). John Taylor Gatto, an award-winning educator and ardent libertarian, is one of those individuals who argues that “we,” as in Americans, “are a nation of children” (155). Through his usage of rhetorical appeals such as ethos, pathos and logos, Gatto can construct an effective, thorough argument in his essay Against School. Gatto effectively uses personal anecdotes and ethical appeals in order to establish a general validity with his audience. He would also establish his own ethos by including his support for dignified persons that would validate his argument.
Reaction Paper In his article Body Rituals among the Nacirema, Miner effectively convinces his reader of the ridiculous nature of America’s obsession with the body’s health and visual appeal by allowing his readers to form an opinion about themselves without realizing they are their own subject. At first glance the reader may be convinced he is reading about magical beliefs and extreme practices of a little know civilization. Miner effectively employs an academic tone as he opens the paper with “[t]he anthropologist has become so familiar with the diversity of ways in which different peoples behave in similar situations that he is not apt to be surprised by even the most exotic customs.” Miner continues to use this tone throughout the article. Furthermore his statement “[t]he rites are normally only discussed with children… I was able, however, to establish sufficient rapport with the natives to examine these shrines and to have the rituals described to me” shows superior attitude to place his reader on the level of a scholar observing a native (Miner 503). Still even an inexperienced evaluator soon realizes the connection between the Nacirema and the United States.
Hughes is describing America as this “great strong land of love,” which triggers readers’ emotions and makes them feel a desire to go to America in order to seek this love. Contrarily, by saying words like “let it be,” he is saying Americas has not come to the point or has strayed away from the point of love and he wants it for the future. From these two points, Hughes paints a picture of optimism and patriotism but reveals the harsh reality of America by giving the description of America as a place where “king connive… and man be crushed by ones above,” for the immigrants and the poor. This confirms that the current standard of living in America is not acceptable, and he hopes that in the future things will be different. Another example of juxtaposition shown is through man vs. environment, that is, in a society of poverty, greed and power of wealth: I am the immigrant clutching the hope I seek, and finding only the same old stupid plan of dog eat dog, of mighty crush the weak, I am the young man, full of strength and hope,
Journal 03: America Tony Hoagland’s poem “America” uses specific nouns and metaphors to tell readers that America is too obsessed with material objects and self-satisfaction. Hoagland uses these nouns and metaphors to hide truth from the naked eye, specific diction is also used in combination with these metaphors to expose corruption in American society. In the opening lines, Hoagland writes, “Then one of the students with blue hair and a tongue stud / Says that America is for him a maximum-security prison / Whose walls are made of Radio Shacks, Burger Kings, and MTV episodes.” Hoagland almost lists the details of American trends by mentioning hair color and piercings, and by describing businesses like Radio Shack which sell 70-inch flat screen televisions, which are completely unnecessary, and fast food restaurants like McDonald’s that give super-sized food portions. These allow readers to immediately see the ridiculous
There are some people who only come here to succeed but not belong in the American family because they still have love for their country. Then there are some who desire more benefits through citizenships, and want to unite with the American body. Bharati and Mira stands people like me, immigrants! Mukherjee explicates the differences she has with Mira on immigration in the United States. Her perspective is that every immigrant should pursue their “oath of citizenship just like her “go all the way” on the other hand Mira “ is here to maintain an
What attracted me to this book was the way the author expressed each occurrence in his rediscovery of America in a comical way. Especially when Mr. Bryson starts comparing differences between America and its citizens, and England and its citizens, in a way it was never done before. He manages to describe some incidents in detail, and also hits out at America’s way of life. He points out
According to the author’s interpretation, Colin Powell acknowledged and wrote about the positive changes in American history, whereas Malcolm X focused solely on racism in American history. Colin Powell mentioned in his autobiography that black GIs had more freedom in Germany during WWII than they did in the country they were serving. Colin Powell mentioned and acknowledged that America does have her faults, but he was thankful that at least America is progressing towards a more peaceful future and that was what encouraged him to love his country and all of its flaws. Malcolm X on the other hand didn’t feel like America was progressing fast enough towards a peaceful future where all American citizens are treated equally. He believed in revolution and violence to try to stop racism.
In What is an American? by J. Hector St Joh De Crevecoeur, he writes “ The law, the indulgent laws, protect them as they arrive, stamping on them the symbol of adoption: they receive ample rewards for their labours; these accumulated rewards produce them lands; those lands confer on them the title of freeman; and to that title every benefit is affixed which men can possibly require” The writer states all of the benefits of coming to America and eventually becoming. Us americans are spoiled completely spoiled, and other countries aren’t as lucky as we are and get a say in the way their country is run. America is the land of opportunity, the place people come to and work their way from the bottom to become wealthy citizens. The opportunities are endless living in
The American Scholar Summary There are some ideas that are universal, no matter how long ago they were first put into words. When these ideas are expressed using persuasive techniques and strategies, become truly timeless. Emerson’s oration, The American Scholar, exemplifies this. In this essay, Emerson persuades the reader that a student, in order to be a true American Scholar, must combine learning from nature, books, and experience. He uses atone appropriate to his audience, employs the use of any number of persuasive techniques, and divides his main argument into three concise and well-explained sections.