The American Traditions in Literature - Essay Example

The American Traditions in Literature 1. The different works of the Native Americans show several similarities and differences to other cultures and peoples, creating a universal thought process in other forms. When reading the pieces of literature, it can be seen that the similarities are defined as the religious or spiritual processes, as well as human nature that is widely accepted as a popular concept. However, the differences are reliant on the cultural affiliations and traditions which are created among the different cultures, specifically which define a sense of uniqueness among those practicing this tradition. An example of the similarities can be read in stories such as At the Time of the White Dawn. The main example is one which is associated with creation and which most cultures across the world accept. From this example, it can be seen that there is a universal understanding of a creator, which is religiously accepted and believed by those that are a part of every culture. Another similarity is based on the cycles of life through stories such as The Corn Grows Up. Every culture accepts that there is a beginning and end to everything, specifically through observances in life and death. These are strongly affiliated with the different Native American stories, as well as other cultures in various regions of the world, showing it as a universal concept. The unique expressions that are associated with the Native Americans are based on the way that the literature is expressed. When reading the different stories, it can be seen that the animals, qualities and characteristics of the stories differ. The reverence that is held for Snake the Cause, for instance, would differ than the interpretation of a snake in other cultures. These different attributes are strongly associated with the way in which many experienced life in specific regions of the earth as well as how this could be associated with. The expressions in the story become unique based on the actions of the characters, animals associated with the stories and the way in which each of the stories are revealed. 2. The value of Bradstreet’s poetry is to show that there is more than gender, physical presence and a component in which each individual has which is universal. The focus she carries is one that shows how the universal concepts of being human are more important than other parts of life, specifically from a Puritan viewpoint. Bradstreet shows how love, freedom and defining identity are more important than the physical, specifically which define the value of her poetry. The qualities which Bradstreet focuses on are to show that there is more to an individual than the basic cultural and physical affiliations. An example of this is in The Flesh and the Spirit. When speaking through this poem, Bradstreet starts with the physical values of being on a street and interpreting specific aspects of being in a given area. However, as the poem continues, there is specific reference to how everything is a reflection of the spirit. “What canst desire, but thou maist see / True substance n variety? / Dost honour like? Acquire the same, / As some to their immortal fame” (lines 23-26). These lines show the concept of the physical, such as fame and wealth. Bradstreet later states how these have to be let go, as much as they are treasured in terms of vanity. The value which is created is based on letting the physical go, which moves into the second part of the poem, based on spirit. This specific poem is based on overcoming the physical for stronger value. “No Candle there, nor yet Torch light, For there shall be no darksome night. / From sickness and infirmity / Forevermore they shall be free” (lines 99-102). The way in which this is approached shows that Bradstreet holds value in the things that are of the spirit, such as freedom, love and the universal concepts that are related to the human experience. All the poems reflect one of these concepts, specifically which are defined first by the spirit and the human experiences in which one has. The value which is created from this is able to show a different perspective of life and the importance of various concepts. The concept of value in Bradstreet is not only seen in this poem, but also is alluded to in her other poetry. The examples which she gives are based on the Puritan values of love and freedom, specifically which is incorporated into the lifestyle that she lived and the beliefs that were held within society. Another example of this is Before the Birth of One of Her Children. When speaking about the child that she is supposed to have, she makes reference to several of the values and human universal concepts that are associated with the time frame. “I may seem thine, who in effect am none. / And if I see not half my days that’s due, / What nature would, God grant to yours and you; / The many faults that well you know I have / Let be interred in my oblivious grave; / If any worth or virtue were in me, / Let that life freshly in thy memory” (lines 12 – 18). This example shows how Bradstreet was more concerned with the nature of man, virtue and human attributes which could be passed to different generations. The concern which was given continued with the belief that before gender, there should be virtue that could be given to children and which was involved in the family life. These perspectives of Bradstreet were then able to create a specific identity that was based on the Puritan life as well as the concepts of morality and virtue which she was focused on in all of her poetry. 3. The rhetorical strategies of The Declaration of Independence are designed to redefine history and to appeal to both intellect and emotion. Jefferson appeals to the intellect first through the phrases which one has to think about and define in order to understand completely. For instance, the opening line of “we hold these truths to be self – evident, that all men are created equal” (153) is one which is first defined intellectually. One has to understand what equality means, as well as what the truth of being equal is. The same line also appeals to the emotions because of the words which are used. The self – evident word and the concept of truth is one which was important to the time, specifically because of the freedom that was won over Britain. The emotional appeal continued with the desire which every individual had during that time to have a sense of equality and freedom. Most had come from Europe for a better life, which was specifically designed by the need to have equality. The appeal from these two areas allowed the declaration to both be thought of with emotional attachment and intellectual appeal, specifically because the rhetoric used words which could be defined in different ways. The theoretical and specific aspects of the Declaration were also important with Jefferson’s main approach. For instance, when speaking about abolishing a government, Jefferson states that this is the capacity of every human, specifically because every individual has the right to pursue life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. The theory of this is one which is based on the theory of what it means to be happy and the theory that a just government is one which leads to this happiness. At the same time, there is a direct and specific approach which Jefferson uses for this. The government overthrow which Jefferson states is one which should only be overthrown if there is refusal to assent to laws, suspended laws of pressing importance and has not adhered to the needs of the community. Jefferson states that these will lead to the unhappiness of the nation and is when the theory should be applied to those in a nation. The importance of the document is that Jefferson uses specific types of writing where the same words and sentences can appeal to both the practical and theoretical side while showing the emotional and intellectual side for the nation. For instance, when speaking about the abolition of the government, Jefferson uses words such as “dissolved,” “refused,” “obstructed” and “made judges” (153). These words are important because they are able to signify different definitions within society. This includes the ability to appeal to the emotions with the belief in the destruction and injustice of the government. The intellect is also a part of this, specifically because one has to identify what it means to make judges. Jefferson uses these words to also appeal to the theoretical aspect of what this means and the practical aspect. When society identifies these specific words, there is a practical understanding of what it means for a government to be unjust in society. Combining the words, rhetoric and approach to the document then provides several dimensions of understanding for those that are re-building the nation and overthrowing the British Government. 4. The exemplification of the Age of Enlightenment by Benjamin Franklin is noticed because of the innovation and changes in technology which begin to become available to those in society. He speaks about this with the belief that it will change society and will move forward everything that is a part of the culture, specifically because there was an association with knowledge and the Enlightenment overcoming hardships that were a part of America. The different ways in which Franklin approached wisdom as well as his own life was based on how the concept of using knowledge and the ability to live in a time where technology was rapidly changing, provided a new beginning for him and sustained him throughout his life time. An example of this is when he meets Bradford and the printing house. Franklin describes him as “illiterate” and states he was “knowing nothing of presswork” (114). The statements are followed by trade and business that allowed Franklin to move forward with better ideologies and to upgrade the idea of the printing press. His statements associated with this are based on the “thing that must make my fortune” (116), specifically because the upgrades through the Enlightenment brought Franklin wealth and prestige as well as more knowledge about the specific time frame. Another example that Franklin uses when speaking about the Enlightenment comes from The Speech of Miss Polly Baker. The main point of this is for Franklin to show through the fictional character of Polly Baker that there is injustice in the land and that there are several individuals which are suffering from this. Baker begins her speech by stating “I am a poor unhappy Woman; who has no money to Fee Lawyers to plead for me, being hard put it to get a tolerable living” (147). The Enlightenment which Franklin then displays is how even one who doesn’t have the ability to pay for lawyer fees and which is accused of a crime has the wisdom and insight to know what is fair and unfair in the land. Franklin was able to show how a nation could be rebuilt and how the concept of knowledge and understanding could provide every individual with a fair chance at life while allowing the innovations of the time and the fortunes to be equally distributed among those in the land. The main concept which Franklin associates with the Age of Enlightenment is then seen through The Autobiography where these ideas are combined to show the difference which this time period made. Logic, knowledge and the ability to progress were the main associations used throughout this reading. Franklin was able to show how it was the spirit of the Enlightenment which allowed men to have an equal chance and which provided opportunity to everyone that was within the land. The capability of this then began to alter the way in which knowledge and progression was approached. Franklin associated political, economic, social and personal affiliations with the Enlightenment, all which were able to face circumstances which were unfair and which didn’t provide equal opportunity before this time frame. The insight which Franklin gives in all his readings are associated with the ability to develop personally, as a society and politically because of the knowledge and innovations available. 5. Natty Bumppo as an American hero is one which describes the establishment of America and the challenges and adventures which come with it. Through James Cooper’s story, The Pioneers, there is a description of Natty’s actions as well as how this interlinks with the developing of America. Even though Natty isn’t one which is able to work with specific concepts, such as intellectual thoughts, it is the American establishment that makes Natty a hero. When describing the actions of the character, it is associated with making the land and learning how to survive in the wilderness, all while assisting others to learn how to survive on the land. When describing other characters through Benjamin, Natty is also described as leading the way. “He has been backing and filling in the wake of Natty Bumppo, through the mountains, after deer, like a Dutch long – boat in tow of an Albany sloop” (206). The ability to move through the wilderness and remaining as a leader, while working with the land, is one of he qualities that makes Natty the description of an American hero. The challenges that Natty faced were not only based on taming the wilderness, but also dealing with the challenges of society at the time. Those who were associated with him were able to call on him if trouble was in the community or divisions were arising. Natty was always protecting citizens and took sides to ensure that everyone remained safe. “ ‘ Yes, Masss Richard, I ‘member ‘em! Natty Bumppo fire t’oder gun. You know, sir, all ‘e folk say Natty kill him” (207). Examples such as this show that Natty was designated to protect and defend others in the town. The establishment of the Wild West and the need to have specific regulations in the town was one which was expected to be approved by Natty and the reactions which he had when associating with others that were a part of society. The representation of Natty as an American hero then continues with the ability of being a pioneer in the west and what this implies in terms of creating the frontier and settling in America. Those who were considered heroes at the time were able to face the uncertainties of both the wilderness and others who were settling the land. More important, there was the ability to establish a specific way to survive so that future generations would easily be able to settle in the land that had been established. For Natty, being an American hero was based specifically on becoming a pioneer of the land and facing the several dangers that were associated with building and establishing a new area that had uncertainties constantly arising. Works Cited Perkins, George, Barbara Perkins. The American Tradition in Literature. McGraw Hill: Australia, 2002. Read More