All cultures, decades, countries, and people have different views on what it really means to be an American. Slavery was beyond prominent in the 18th century, so the African Americans were treated poorly. Views have changed since slavery has abolished, but there are other countries like China who believe that Americans are not as smart or helpful as the Chinese think they are. The views of what it means to be an American varies, but the main archetype is a hero.
In Langston Hughes poem, “I, Too”, during the time of slavery and segregation, African Americans were considered outcasts, but proved themselves to be heroes. African Americans had a hard time living as an American. At the time, being an American was difficult, especially if you were …show more content…
To George, being an American means you stick up for the people you love, and that you would do anything for those whom you care about. George cares for Lennie so much, that he would do anything to protect him. George informs Lennie, “You keep away from Curley, Lennie.’ ‘Sure I will George, I won’t say a word.’ ‘Don’t let him pull you in, but if the son of a bitch socks you- let him have it. Remember what I told you to do” (Steinbeck, 30). Lennie gets himself in a lot of substandard situations, but no matter what his travelling companion and best friend George, stays with him, and tries to keep Lennie out of trouble. George has a good definition of what it means to be an American, but other cultures have different …show more content…
The mother believes Americans are selfish, and believes her Chinese culture works hard, and is the best. Meimei is against the American culture because she believes that they are all lazy and do not work hard. She explains to her daughter, “Chinese people do business, do medicine, do paintings. Not lazy like American people. We do torture. The best torture” (Tan 2). Meimei thinks that the Chinese culture is better than the American culture, because Americans are lazy. She states “We do torture, the best torture” because she believes that the Chinese are always better than every other culture. Although she believes she is the best, she means well for her daughter, by wanting her to succeed and to do her best. She always ha her daughters best interests at
In Langston Hughes poem, “I, Too”, during the time of slavery and segregation, African Americans were considered outcasts, but proved themselves to be heroes. African Americans had a hard time living as an American. At the time, being an American was difficult, especially if you were …show more content…
To George, being an American means you stick up for the people you love, and that you would do anything for those whom you care about. George cares for Lennie so much, that he would do anything to protect him. George informs Lennie, “You keep away from Curley, Lennie.’ ‘Sure I will George, I won’t say a word.’ ‘Don’t let him pull you in, but if the son of a bitch socks you- let him have it. Remember what I told you to do” (Steinbeck, 30). Lennie gets himself in a lot of substandard situations, but no matter what his travelling companion and best friend George, stays with him, and tries to keep Lennie out of trouble. George has a good definition of what it means to be an American, but other cultures have different …show more content…
The mother believes Americans are selfish, and believes her Chinese culture works hard, and is the best. Meimei is against the American culture because she believes that they are all lazy and do not work hard. She explains to her daughter, “Chinese people do business, do medicine, do paintings. Not lazy like American people. We do torture. The best torture” (Tan 2). Meimei thinks that the Chinese culture is better than the American culture, because Americans are lazy. She states “We do torture, the best torture” because she believes that the Chinese are always better than every other culture. Although she believes she is the best, she means well for her daughter, by wanting her to succeed and to do her best. She always ha her daughters best interests at