Different philosophies were gaining popularity and recognition, however, the dominant faith that organized and held society together never grew smaller. Throughout history, religion remained one of the most significant elements of America that shaped its views and community. Although religion is one of the pure parts of American history, it is also reflected negatively in many of the works written before the Civil War. For example, Nathaniel Hawthorne’s short story “Young Goodman Brown” is a perfect representation of the thoughts about the hypocrisy that is involved in early Puritan society. The story is about a young man who is left scarred after experiencing a communal meeting of sin confessions. The story is reveals that presents secrecy
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The American culture is very diverse. With the population that consists of multiple ethnicities from places all around the world, American identity is a synthesis of different people who came and shaped the country. Since the background of America is diverse, some aspects of the culture come from questionable origins and are debated to be still kept as a part of culture. Francis Scott Key’s “Defence of Fort M’Henry,” or more commonly known as the “Star Spangled Banner” is an American poem that had gained enough popularity to be recognized as the national anthem of the United States. Although this song intended to be the glory and pride of America, its tunes come from a deceptive origin: the “Anacreontic Song” that was dedicated to the Greek Writer Anacreon for his writings on women, sex, and drugs. The patriotic melody also comes from an English drinking song which was the reason it was initially rejected as the national anthem for a hundred and forty years. The song is controversial, one that casts doubt and condemns the true American identity, but it also generates a question: Is everyone willing to embrace this identity? The diversity of American culture creates ambiguity on the American identity as not everyone has same opinions as the people around them, and being more diverse creates more divisions. America achieved independence on July 4, 1766 and has been celebrating the day ever since. However, in “What to a slave is the Fourth of July?” Frederick Douglass speaks to the frustration caused by the distinction created between the idealistic and the real United States. He argues that this day is not applicable to the African American population because it celebrates white liberty rather than American liberty. The American identity created by the holiday divides the population of America and does not celebrate the whole country as
The American culture is very diverse. With the population that consists of multiple ethnicities from places all around the world, American identity is a synthesis of different people who came and shaped the country. Since the background of America is diverse, some aspects of the culture come from questionable origins and are debated to be still kept as a part of culture. Francis Scott Key’s “Defence of Fort M’Henry,” or more commonly known as the “Star Spangled Banner” is an American poem that had gained enough popularity to be recognized as the national anthem of the United States. Although this song intended to be the glory and pride of America, its tunes come from a deceptive origin: the “Anacreontic Song” that was dedicated to the Greek Writer Anacreon for his writings on women, sex, and drugs. The patriotic melody also comes from an English drinking song which was the reason it was initially rejected as the national anthem for a hundred and forty years. The song is controversial, one that casts doubt and condemns the true American identity, but it also generates a question: Is everyone willing to embrace this identity? The diversity of American culture creates ambiguity on the American identity as not everyone has same opinions as the people around them, and being more diverse creates more divisions. America achieved independence on July 4, 1766 and has been celebrating the day ever since. However, in “What to a slave is the Fourth of July?” Frederick Douglass speaks to the frustration caused by the distinction created between the idealistic and the real United States. He argues that this day is not applicable to the African American population because it celebrates white liberty rather than American liberty. The American identity created by the holiday divides the population of America and does not celebrate the whole country as