Monday, September 8, 2008
What is an American?
After reading through the poems assigned, the way I read the poems changed. I believe that an American is someone who has seen, or even gone through challenges in life. An American is a person that is able to overcome adversity and manage to make the best out of the situation. In Hughes' poem, "I, too, Sing America", I feel a strong sense of will and determination. I think that when he says "Besides, they'll see how beautiful I am And be ashamed--" I think he is trying to say that no matter what background or culture you come from all Americans are beautiful. All Americans have the right to be here and consider themselves Americans. In "I Hear America Singing" I feel as though Whitman is saying that no matter what social class you belong to, or what title you hold, it does not matter- you are still an American. These poems made me think that Americans are strong, not only in what they do, but what they think and believe as well. As far as what their songs were, I'm not sure, maybe it was just meant to represent the story of their lives. Everyones song is different, that's what makes being an American so great.
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4 comments:
Nice job relating the topic to the poems we had to read for an assignment.
That's what I saw in Hughes' poem too, each individual is unique and should take pride in it.
I really liked your blog. You are very right about all American's being different, and that is what I love about living in America. I also liked how you talked about everyone having a different song, and that all Americans are beautiful!
Hughes had an insight that makes you want to look at things again...that can be a good thing. Been to the depot- I agree.I felt that way at great lakes when my son graduated.
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