A True American

What Does it Mean to be an American?

Through works read during the year, ideals of what makes someone an American are common. Throughout the year the pieces of literature argue that a true American is someone who is willing to fight in any sort of battle and strife to ensure their rights of freedom as well as the country’s. Within the American dream the ideal is to embrace change, but to also conserve values. Americans epitomize hypocrisy because they want to conserve American culture, but do not conform to the needs of those who embrace the change. To be an American is to be free to express oneself and live their life freely, while to be able to pursue their own happiness; but also to be American is to accept that not all situations will

In The Glass Menagerie it states, “Tom: Listen! You think I'm crazy about the warehouse? You think I'm in love with the Continental Shoemakers? You think I want to spend fifty five years down in that--celotex interior! with--fluorescent--tubes! Look! I'd rather somebody picked up a crowbar and battered out my brains--than go back mornings...For sixty five dollars a month I give up all that I dream of doing and being ever!...” (Williams 52). Tom’s reaction is substantive to the claim of wanting to pursue happiness, but also aware that not all situations end happily. Tom is upset about giving up his dreams in order to allay his mother. This makes Tom testy that he can not go out and pursue his own interests. This reveals that he wants to pursue his personal happiness but is restrained by his familial duties. He could not pursue his version of his American ideal, but Tom himself represents what it means to be a true American by sacrificing his own happiness to care for his loved ones. Literary criticism also states, “Tom's father haunts the play through a "larger-than-life-size" grinning photograph, and his mother dominates the family's apartment with her "confused vitality clinging to another time and place."” (citation). Tom represents the idea of pursuing the American dream. Throughout the story he feels vindicated by his father’s portrait, since it is a constant reminder of the life full of

Within The Scarlet Letter Hawthorne states that Hester has such strength and generosity in which her heart contains. And that if she does not wish to speak, she will not speak. This motif shows appearance vs. reality. This reveals about the Clergyman Dimmesdale that he is a man who truly understands how Hester feels, and wishes to better her life by defending her life by defending her honor and rights as being. Although he seems a man of frail stature, he is strong when it comes to defending the weak. This reveals Dimmesdale believes that Hester is free to live her life as she pleases since she has done no harm to society. Dimmesdale represents what it means to be a true American by protecting Hester’s rights. To be able to live one’s life freely is also what it means to be a true American, but also defending someone’s freedom as well. Also Hawthorne states that Pearl must gather her own sunshine because her mother had none to give her. This reveals to us how Hester since a “sinful” woman can not give Pearl the life she wants for her, which makes her feel guilty. And that Pearl needs to find her own happiness. Hester represents a true American because she wants the best for her daughter, but sadly due to societal standards can not do it. It also shows the right to pursue happiness. Pearl since a child does not take as much ridicule from societal head figures, therefore