Let the words of Crevecoeur guide you in the questions about your understanding
of what makes up an American.
- What then is the American, this new man?
List as many of the key universal qualities of "an American"
as you can. Who, legally, gets to be counted as "an American"?
How can one become an American?
- We are tillers of the earth.
Are most Americans farmers now? If not, what do they do for a living?
- He is either an European, or the descendant of an European,
hence that strange mixture of blood, which you will find in no other
country.
Are most Americans a descendent of a European? If not, where did his/her
ancestors come from? What is the population makeup and trends in this
country now?
- This is every person's country; the variety of our soils, situations,
climates, governments, and produce, hath something which must please
every body.
Is this every person's country?
- Here the rewards of his industry follow with equal steps the progress
of his labour; his labour is founded on the basis of nature, self-interest;
can it want a stronger allurement? I do not mean that every one who
comes will grow rich in a little time; no, but he may procure an easy,
decent maintenance, by his industry.
Is working or "hard work" a key characteristic of Americans?
What about all those who do not work hard (the jobless or those with
inherited wealth or politicians, etc.) What are the different versions
of "the American Dream"?
- It is not every emigrant who succeeds; no, it is only the sober,
the honest, and industrious.
What Americans do not succeed well in this country and why?
- There is room for every body in America; has he any particular
talent, or industry he exerts it in order to procure a livelihood, and
it succeeds. Wives and children, who before in vain demanded of him
a morsel of bread, now, fat and frolicsome, gladly help their father
to clear those fields whence exuberant crops are to arise to feed and
to clothe them all
Is there now room for everyone in America?
- He meets with hospitality, kindness, and plenty every where; he
beholds hardly any poor, he seldom hears of punishments and executions.
Is the above statement true in 21st century America?
- If he is a good man, he forms schemes of future prosperity, he
proposes to educate his children better than he has been educated himself;
he thinks of future modes of conduct, feels an ardor to labour he never
felt before.
Are all Americans educated? Do they want to be? Are they all optimistic
about the future? Do they all have higher expectations for their children?
- He now feels himself a man, because he is treated as such.
Do all Americans have a valued place in society?
Are all Americans treated humanely?
- As Christians, religion curbs (Americans) not in their opinions;
the general indulgence leaves everyone to think for themselves in spiritual
matters.
Are all Americans Christian? How are those who are not Christians treated
in this country?
- His country is now that which gives him land, bread, protection,
and consequence.
Is this true for all Americans today?
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