Perseverance Post 1: You Learned The Definition Of America ✓ Solved

Perseverancepost 1 You Learned The Definition Of the American Dream I

Perseverance Post 1: You learned the definition of the American Dream in Week 1, and you also learned about the American identity. Traits often associated with the American identity include boldness, confidence, perseverance, and integrity. These traits are often demonstrated through a character’s words or actions. This week, we’ll focus on perseverance and how it is reflected in two of the readings. Choose one character from a work of fiction ("The Soft-Hearted Sioux," "Pawn Shop," or The Invisible Man) and one person from a work of non-fiction ("Speech to the Osages," "Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl," or "What to the Slave is the Fourth of July?"). Describe how perseverance is reflected in each. Criteria: 300 words minimum (excluding quotations and citations). Include two properly integrated and cited direct or paraphrased quotations (one related to each character) to support your claims. See the Week 1 and Week 2 Literary Analysis Tools Modules for information about integrating and citing quotations.

Sample Paper For Above instruction

The American Dream embodies ideals of perseverance, resilience, and determination, traits that have been demonstrated by both fictional characters and real individuals in their pursuit of freedom, justice, and self-realization. This essay explores how perseverance is exemplified by the character of the Invisible Man in Ralph Ellison’s novel and by Frederick Douglass in his autobiography, "Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, an American Slave." Both figures demonstrate steadfast determination in their respective contexts, embodying the resilient spirit associated with the American identity.

In Ralph Ellison’s "The Invisible Man," the protagonist’s perseverance manifests through his unyielding quest to understand his identity amid societal rejection and racial discrimination. Despite being socially marginalized and ignored, the narrator persists in asserting his sense of self and challenges oppressive structures. Ellison describes his character’s resilience: "I am invisible, understand, simply because people refuse to see me" (Ellison, 1952). This quotation illustrates the perseverance required to navigate a society that refuses to acknowledge his humanity. The character’s relentless search for self-awareness and justice highlights his perseverance in confronting systemic discrimination, a core aspect of the American identity that values resilience in the face of adversity.

Similarly, Frederick Douglass exemplifies perseverance through his relentless struggle against the brutal institution of slavery. Despite the numerous obstacles he faced, including violence, dehumanization, and systemic oppression, Douglass refused to accept his condition as inevitable. His autobiography recounts, "I did not therefore despair. I believed that I had thrived in learning to read" (Douglass, 1845). This demonstrates his unwavering commitment to education and self-improvement as means to achieve freedom. Douglass’s persistence in seeking literacy and emancipation exemplifies the resilience characteristic of the American spirit—boldly challenging injustice despite overwhelming odds.

Both characters demonstrate that perseverance is a fundamental trait of those pursuing the American ideals of freedom and self-actualization. Their stories emphasize that resilience and tenacity are essential in overcoming societal and personal barriers, reinforcing the importance of perseverance in shaping American identity. Their narratives serve as enduring testimonies to the power of steadfast determination in the ongoing pursuit of the American Dream.

References

Ellison, R. (1952). Invisible Man. Random House.

Douglass, F. (1845). Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, an American Slave. Anti-Slavery Office.