Though the meaning of “America” has changed over the years, “America” once meant the pursuit of a simplistic yet unique dream. Walt Whitman demonstrates this in section 10 of his “Song of Myself” poem. In this section, he takes on the identity of multiple American people. Among these are a rugged mountain man, the captain of a Yankee clipper ship, the viewer of a marriage between a trapper and a Native American, and one who shelters a runaway slave. These people are all different, which serves to showcase the differences of the American dream among different types of people. The differences of class represent differences in purpose, which is believed to be a fundamental value of Americanism. When Whitman harbored the slave, he felt it his duty to nourish him, to “[lead] him in and [assure] him” (Whitman 30). Although he was above the slave in terms of
…show more content…
“America” is often seen as the land of equality and opportunity. Langston Hughes tackles this idea in “Theme for English B,” in which the African American speaker recognizes that “You [my instructor] are white – yet a part of me, as I am a part of you. That’s American” (Hughes 1045). Here, the intangible racial issue is apparent, although America itself is presented to be a land of awe, as it simultaneously molds these races into one. Hughes, an African American, chooses not to dwell on the negativity of the racial divide of the American people at the time his piece was written but instead chooses to use it as an opportunity to validate the speaker as one piece that makes America the great, diverse land he believes it to be. The speaker considers his origins and contemplates who he is before ultimately deciding that he is American, just like the white man. Hughes represents America as a beautiful mold of all different races and people. Although the white are “somewhat more free,” all of these people come together to form a unique land, a special America where everyone learns from one another (Hughes
“America” is often seen as the land of equality and opportunity. Langston Hughes tackles this idea in “Theme for English B,” in which the African American speaker recognizes that “You [my instructor] are white – yet a part of me, as I am a part of you. That’s American” (Hughes 1045). Here, the intangible racial issue is apparent, although America itself is presented to be a land of awe, as it simultaneously molds these races into one. Hughes, an African American, chooses not to dwell on the negativity of the racial divide of the American people at the time his piece was written but instead chooses to use it as an opportunity to validate the speaker as one piece that makes America the great, diverse land he believes it to be. The speaker considers his origins and contemplates who he is before ultimately deciding that he is American, just like the white man. Hughes represents America as a beautiful mold of all different races and people. Although the white are “somewhat more free,” all of these people come together to form a unique land, a special America where everyone learns from one another (Hughes