American literature: major works and themes

American Literature

Comparing and Contrasting Ideas

Ralph Waldo Emerson and Fredrick Douglas both express their ideas and philosophies on a person's happiness and self-fulfillment. Both of these authors have very strong opinions on what they believe constitutes true self-satisfaction. In order to be truly satisfied with not only the way one is living one's life, but with how one carries oneself everyday, one must acquire internal knowledge to do so. Believing in oneself is what will allow a person to not only be self-reliant, but to also defend themselves in times of trouble. Both authors view this as being pertinent to an individual. Emerson writes, "Nothing is at last sacred but the integrity of your own mind." Emerson expresses his belief in attaining knowledge to truly be satisfied, and in order to really excel. Douglas also agrees with this concept of never giving up; being determined is what allows one to get far. When referring to finally giving in to his determination he states, "I felt as I never felt before."

Although both authors believe in the ability for a person's determination to get them ahead in life, they differ in the way that this self-determination is attained. Emerson believes that this determination comes from the within, embedded in one's soul. He states, "Trust thyself: Every heart vibrates to that iron string." Douglass however believes that self-determination comes from learning that determination is needed in order to get ahead. Douglass talks about this when he finally got his freedom. He states, "This battle with Mr. Convey was the turning point in my career as a slave...It recalled the departed self-confidence, and inspired me again with a determination to be free." Both authors believe that believing in oneself is the key to happiness and self-fulfillment, but where that determination comes from varies in their descriptions.

3.2B: A New Ending

Mrs. Sommer's wanted that car to continue as she was afraid of going back to her normal life. She did not enjoy having to be frugal about everything, and not being able to spend the little money that she had for herself. Fifteen dollars seemed like a lot to her, meaning that she either has learned to appreciate the value of money because she once had it, or knows that fifteen dollars is a lot because she has had nothing at all. Her life after this incident is one where she will keep reliving the past. As much as she had avoided doing that before, this day seemed important enough to keep thinking about what it was that she would never be able to have again. The responsibilities that she had with her children were ones that she will forever have. She will not be able to indulge herself like that again, as it is her children that will come first, as they always have before.

Satisfaction will never be present in Mrs. Sommer's life, at least not the way that it is now. She got a taste for the fast life again, the life where money was not her first thought, but only satisfaction. This event will mark a turning point of her life and she will never be able to fully indulge herself in the things that she wishes she had. Although this moment could have been seen as a last day to feel what she used to feel, knowing that her desire for the car to continue and never stop was present, makes one believe that Mrs. Sommers will forever yearn for days like the one that she had that day.

3.3B: Short Fiction or Poem

Bombs bursting on the ground

For the purpose of resolution

Finding violence as a way

To bring conflict a conclusion

Always thinking that death

Is a better alternative to peace

Instead of talking out a plan

In order for a solution to be reached

Senseless acts of hostility

Bring a loss of hope to those once bright

And the only thing that they see lighting up

Are the skies from fire at night

War brings along more pain

To families who sometimes have no choice

Their thoughts and concerns aren't considered

No one hears their voice

And on the final day

When war is no longer present

Ruin and death can be seen

And no way to forget it

The winning nation will have one more point

Added to their honor and respect

And with that comes the reputation

Of ending a war in success.

3.4B: Collage Description

Lines 118 & 119: "Home is the place where, when you go there, / They have to take you in."

These two lines are by far the most compelling lines of the entire poem. It is here that the importance of what home is, truly comes out. Home is the one place that seems to be the safe haven regardless of the adventures that one chooses to partake in. It is welcoming, safe, secure, and always present. Despite the many twists and turns that may be taken by someone, it is at home that one can always go back to without the fear of being judged.

The collage would be designed as follows:

Cut out from felt fabric, the center of the collage would be a house. The house itself would be a red square with little yellow squares for windows and a gray triangular roof top. The particular fabric chosen is to represent the warm, fuzzy feeling that is felt when going back to the one place that will always take you. There would be a black string circling the house itself to represent it being in a bubble, a safe place. Outside of the circle, there will be a variety if things going on. Cut out from magazines and newspapers, there would be different pictures of roads, streets, and simple landscapes to showcase the different routes taken in life and the adventures that has been had. All these pictures however would be cut rigidly to present the picture that not all the adventures have been pleasant. Pictures of clocks would be surrounding the outskirts of the "bubble" in which the home is enclosed in, to signify the passage of time, and the past. The clocks themselves are going to be cut out from magazines, hand-drawn with the different writing utensils such as pens, multi-colored pencils, different colored markers, and crayons. Each different writing utensil can be seen as the different stages in life. The chaotic arrangement that will become of all of the materials will be a direct contrast to the circle in the center with the felt-fabric house which will stand out and be the first thing that will catch a person's attention. The collage will clearly show that home will be the place to go to in order to find clarity and peace.

3.5B: Dramatic Monologue

Streamers here and balloons there

Mounting everything with meticulous care

Knowing that she will see

Every effort done for thee

For today is the day

For which we celebrate

All the things bad and great

That you have done till this date.

My daughter, it is for you that this is done