Crevecoeur’s favorite word to describe the American character is industrious. Americans work hard because they know that their work will pay off for them. Crevecoeur points to a cycle that sets Americans up for success: . . . the indulgent laws, protect them as they arrive, stamping on them the symbol of adoption; they receive ample rewards for their labors; these accumulated rewards procured them lands; those lands confer on them the title of freemen, and to that title every benefit is affixed which men can possibly require. (311) This sequence creates the American character and directly encourages industrious labor. In America, the more one works the more one can achieve. This reward motivates hard work and attracts emigrants from all over Europe. Crevecoeur emphasizes industry the most possibly because it is the most necessary and noticeable contributor to their success. …show more content…
Most American’s are in the same situation, and the great divide between rich and poor as seen in Europe is absent. Hardworking people who mind their own business while also being friendly and hospitable create an atmosphere of unity. Any man can be independent and own his own land. America offers freedom which allows people to do excel according to their work. There is no reason to look down on someone with these characteristics. Crevecoeur summarizes the American promise with the words, “If thou wilt be honest, sober, and industrious, I have greater rewards to confer on thee” (318). He later rephrases the same three qualities emphasizing, “Go thou and work and till; thou shalt prosper, provided thou be just, grateful, and industrious” (319). This trait distinguishes America from the strict class system of
To begin, Crevecoeur states in his letters that there 's great opportunities for everyone in America. Those who were sober and hard working were quickly given jobs. All men who were hired were
Americans are defined by the respect they have for their country and its government, in taking advantage of their freedoms and rights that they gain by showing respect through allegiance, pride, and loyalty.
It seems our definition of success is related to our own individuality. Our view of success is rooted in the outcome of competition among individuals. Americans seem quick to claim that we have each succeeded through their o...
Crèvecoeur depicts Americans as though they are a new race or sub-set of people formed from European descent. He mentions, “they are a mixture of English, Scotch, Irish, French, Dutch, Germans and Swedes. From this promiscuous breed, that race now called Americans have arisen” (310-311). Although the American character is founded on liberty, industry, independence, and happiness, Crèvecoeur mentions how extraordinary the diversity is among Americans. Although many Americans came from different customs, traditions, and governments, Crèvecoeur suggests their ability to unite on relatively new ideologies distinguishes them as a nation. Also, adopting the customs of America and rendering an individual's previous traditions, seems to be the product of the high-risk, high-hope behavior distinctive to Americans. He defines, “he is an American, who, leaving behind him all his ancient prejudices and manners, receives new ones from the new mode of life he has embraced, the new government he obeys, and the new rank he holds” (312). Incorporating new doctrines, governments, and hierarchies the American character develops with the growth of the nation. This becomes exclusive to American identity because it is relatively new as is the American nation and culture. While Americans are unified by similar ideas, and those ideas
Michel-Guillaume-Jean de Crevecoeur was a French born citizen who moved to New York and became a naturalized citizen of Great Britain. After living in America as a citizen for a while, Crevecoeur decided to write an essay titled “Letters from an American Farmer”. During this time, tensions in America between the colonists and loyalists were increasing, and because of this the idea of America as a sovereign nation and territory was becoming popular. Crevecoeur wrote this essay in order to discuss what it means to be an American, and why people should be honored to be called an American. Crevecoeur believes that America is a melting pot of the world, and is full of opportunities for anyone who lives there. In order to back up his claim, Crevecoeur uses rhetorical devices, especially pathos, while he does also use ethos and logos as well.
competitive, and the compassion we bring to others are some, of many, American characteristics that help set us apart. These are the three characteristics that I have chosen to write about.
Living in one of the wealthiest countries in the world, our culture has naturally valued prestige and luxuries. We admire fancy items and often judge other individuals by the clothes they wear, the car they drive, and the schools that they attend. The “American Dream” serves as a motivational factor for people; believing that hard work and dedication can bring “success” to ones’ life. Although this is partially true, it is difficult for individuals in the middle class and lower class.
You just arrived to a place, a huge place you then decide whether you think you belong here or not. You then realize there are different cultures around you and then you think that you do belong here,because you then know that you have came here to achieve your dream,your American dream. In the Hakim 8 “What Is An American” article Crevecoeur said “Here individuals of all nations are melted into a new race of men,whose labors and posterity will one day cause great change in the world.” Does this make you a American or does it not.People are arguing that this does make them “American” while others state this does not make them American. People agree with Crevecoeur that an American is a way to follow your American Dream and do things that are right for this country
America has always seen as the symbolic ideal country of prosperity and equality. This is the reason why people come to America hoping to become successful, but in matter of fact we all have an equal plan field to be successful is not entirely true. For there are social boundaries that keep use limited based upon our own status. Whether we are born of a low class or of a high class the possibility of economic mobility in a sense are predetermined by two factors of social class and success together they both affecting one’s another opportunity of success. In order to achieve success, we must know that it is made up of two main concepts and they are fortune and position.
The American Self is the common character and values of American people which evolved depending on governmental philosophy, religious belief, and economical aspiration from beginning of its formation to the present. Any of the change in the above factors would contribute to the evolution of the American Self. Over time, the American Self changed from communalism, whole hearted religious faith, and interest in material goods to individualism, self interests, and greed.
Although today’s America in many ways has changed into a new society. Immigrants desire to move to America because they have freedom of religion, a chance to rise from poverty, and a new beginning. According to Michel-Guillaume Jean de Crevecoeur in from Letters from an American Farmer, ‘’ A country that had no bread for him, whose fields produced him no harvest, who met with nothing but the frowns of the rich, the severity of the laws, with jails and punishments; who owned not a single foot of the extensive surface of this planet? No! Urged by a variety of motives, here they came (148). Immigrants have a need to move to America to have a better future. As immigrants look on America they see that it’s a way out of getting a new life.
Yet America still beckoned most strongly to the struggling masses of Europe, and the majority of migrants headed for the "land of freedom and opportunity". There was freedom from aristocratic caste and state church; there was abundant opportunity to secure broad acres and better one’s condition.
Since this great country was first established many intuitive minds have tried to answer the question; "What is an American". This country is full of individuals of many backgrounds, and diversities and each person has a different opinion on this question. In my opinion, an American is someone who values freedom and equality and pursues the "American dream." Every American exercises these rights and these are great adjectives to describe our country. Each of the seven readings, and the one image I compiled help mold this broader definition into a more precise description of an American.
...ery beginnings of human life on this continent. The Native Americans upheld their religious and cultural beliefs even as other cultures threatened to take over. The first Pilgrims fought off religious and political persecution in their England to only come to America and slowly become the strong and independent country it would soon become. The revolutionists fought for the happiness of a young country that was being forced into submission. From America's humble and honest beginnings to the diverse and open country it is today these three core values have rung through. Life in America has changed greatly over the passing years. The people, places, and values had undergone an adventure like no other. Even now our values are as unique as the people who first settled here. Though the dream changes, its core values remain the same. I hold these truths to be self-evident.
“The laws, the indulgent laws.” The repeat of the word laws in this section shows how generous he believes America is. He infers that European laws are unfair and that they are made to harm the poor. He repeats laws to emphasize how opulent America is compared to Europe. With the inference of unfair laws by Europe and the repetition of fair laws by America, his side has been proven that America is better than Europe. “They receive ample rewards for their labors; these accumulated rewards procure them lands; those lands confer on them the title of freemen.” The recurrent use of rewards and then lands further expresses his conclusion that America is there for him where Europe is not. He uses rewards to infer that even after his hard work in Europe, he was still left in poverty, but in America his work lead to rewards. These two strategies elaborates on his feelings of Europe and America. Repeating the words and inferring the negative things Europe had to offer, he was able to prove how America has better opportunities than