This Land Is Your Land Analysis

“Born by the River” illustrates my version of the “American Dream” because Cooke expresses this faith that things will change, despite social segregation. For example, Cooke mentions, "how it has been difficult over the years facing “segregation and inequality,” but he has hope a change will come for the future (Stanza 1). Cooke sings in a doubtful manner because of the unjust times he 's living in and explains all the harsh realities he is faced. Although he lives under these circumstances, his hope is restored because colored Americans began to stand up for what 's right in civil rights movements. Similarly, today we are faced with opposing laws that make it harder for “equal opportunism” for immigrants in America, but these dreamers still stand tall in protests for their fight against unequal opportunities. Another reality Cooke expresses, being “born by the river in a little tent” (Stanza 1) because he was one of the less fortunate people who was not allowed in a public hospital, born into an unjust circumstance. Back in the time era he lived in black mothers weren’t always treated “equally” and had the “opportunity” to use public hospitals for child birth. These are some of the “travails of adversity” Americans have to deal with that almost diminish their hope for a richer, fuller life. Cooke then changes the tone of the song towards the ending into a more hopeful tone. In his verses, “there was times that I thought I couldn’t last for long but now I think I’m able to

In everyone's life, at some point in time, there exists a certain, natural craving for something. The longing can only be described as the desire for something more, or perhaps the desire for an adventure. Bruce Springsteen undoubtedly was either at a point like this in his life, or at least had this in mind, when he wrote the song Thunder Road. This is a song that first reads like a scenario playing out between him and a young woman named Mary. Upon listening and analyzing further, however, one will find that this song has a hidden meaning to which everyone can relate.

His usages of logical, ethical, and emotional appeal combined with the ironic chorus simply are not heard due to one great constraint. Springsteen’s audience is made up of mainly white Americans, a group that very rarely criticizes America. Criticizing America is very rare in this audience’s culture because they love America. Springsteen used the resource that most Americans know at least one suffering veteran. This resource was not strong enough because of the audience’s overwhelming patriotism. In the end, the audience’s strong love for America contributed to Springsteen’s failed

Can any short story contain enough stylistic narrative to remain unique and memorable? A prominent example of a short story encompassing memorability and a deeper underlying story is evident in lyrics of multiple pieces of music. One of these pieces of short music is a popular piece of music written by the band Tally Hall. The song in question is dubbed “Hidden in the Sand”. Less than two minutes long, every word needed to be taken into account when constructing the lyrics. This is made obvious in the sense that the whole song is comprised of 6 sentences. Processes required to maintain a unique style, with the constraints a short song bear, requires the requires creative use of diction, imagery, details, language, and syntax. Through the use of stylistic elements such as imagery, syntax, and details, Joe Hawley reveals a narrative in a perspective that details a romantic betrayal, and how, later shown in the video of this song, this effects the narrator’s judgment of people.

James Truslow Adams, in his book which was written in 1931 and called “ The Epic of America” wrote about American dream, that American dream is about being richer and living in better life. Also that American dream is more materialistic, that people work a lot of hours to gain things which they want to have. Such as luxury cars, big houses. They want to be wealthy, rich and have all expensive things and live in a world of money and wealth.

The term, “American dream,” was first used by historian James Truslow Adams. James stated that the American dream was, “That dream of a land in which life should be better and richer and fuller for every man, with opportunity for each according to his ability or achievement.” Although the quote states a perfect definition of the American dream, this term can be interpreted in several ways. The American dream is achieving a goal that before was seen as impossible or unlikely, making a decision that could improve the life of future descendants, and having goals that you want to accomplish.

What is the American Dream? Many people have tried to explain the dream, or how they feel about the dream. Most try to be all patriotic and country loving like Walt Whitman... But others like Langston Hughes reveal a darker side of the dream.

The American dream carries a different meaning for every person. The definition may also change according to the time period and situation. In many sources, the American dream is defined as the ideal that all United States citizens should have equal opportunity to obtain success and prosperity through dedication. Two famous speeches, “The Speech at the Virginia Convention” by Patrick Henry and “The Speech in the Constitutional Convention” by Benjamin Franklin, define the term American dream during the time we were fighting for our independence. These speeches helped define the American dream by motivating the colonists to build the foundation foundation of the term, which is freedom and independence.

The poem I, Too, Sing America written by Langston Hughes shortly after World War II in 1945, is a lyrical poem about the neglected voices in America as a response to the Poem “I hear America singing.” During this time, African Americans were oppressed in society and they did not have equal rights to Caucasians. This poem expresses Langston Hughes hope for the future where black people are not oppressed when equality is achieved between races. This poem helps assert Langston Hughes’ ideas of racial pride, hope, and equality.

In the short story “Sonny’s Blues” by James Baldwin there were characters whose dreams were stated, one of which were shattered by drugs and misfortune and others which would eventually come to be true. Harlem-life has been retold throughout many pieces of African-American literature, ranging from voices expressed in 1925 publication of “The New Negro” to James Baldwin’s fictional short story “Sonny’s Blues,” published in 1957. Echoing throughout different pieces are the words and visions of “a dream deferred,” challenging readers to place themselves into the harsh culture that African-Americans have to wake up to every morning. In “Sonny’s Blues,” a character offers this account of Harlem: “All that hatred down there… all that hatred and misery and love. It’s a wonder it

One big aspect in Donna's response was her emphasis and importance of developing a thesis. The two essays we read were precursors in showing us the importance of a thesis and how we are to incorporate it into our writing. Donna also went on to talk about the importance of considering your audience. When it comes to the two essays, "Once More to the Lake" happens to be much more relatable and pertinent than "The Death of the Moth." She also touched on the importance of symbolism. These essays were great examples on how to portray a deeper meaning in a piece of writing. In general terms this essay prompt helped us establish and look into the basics of writing an essay.

However, the applicability of this song is endless when the lyrics are taken at deeper than face value. It starts with, “Scarecrow on a wooden cross, blackbird in the barn. Four-hundred empty acres that used to be my farm.” This verse provides an unambiguous glance at what has occurred in the narrator’s life. He is looking upon a naked piece of land that now belongs to someone in an office that will presumably never know it like he did. He is stricken with grief and mourns about the life that he once had that has now been taken away. This is reminiscent of the recent home foreclosures that the US has been experiencing. With the national debt skyrocketing and still relatively high unemployment – people are unable to afford their mortgage payments. They are evicted from their homes and sent to the streets. Instead of saying goodbye to 400 acres, these people are watching their homes get taken from

America is built upon the ideal that every citizen has an equal opportunity to success and prosperity through hard work and dedication. This is also known as the American dream. Many authors have speculated what is most important in grasping the American dream and through reading these stories it can be determined that success, happiness, and freedoms all play an important role in attaining the American dream.

“But we refuse to believe that the bank of justice is bankrupt. We refuse to believe that there are insufficient funds in the great vaults of opportunity of this nation” (Martin Luther King Junior). In Martin Luther King Junior’s “I Have a Dream” speech, he declared that although America had treated him and other African-Americans unfairly, he refused to see the country as beyond the point of restoration. King had an underlying faith in his homeland that was steadfast. Similar to King’s outlook on his country, Claude McKay, the poet behind “America,” chose to keep his faith in his homeland in the midst of his struggles. Despite all of the hardships in his life, he remained optimistic. Through McKay’s poem, “America,” he conveys

The American dream is an opportunity to start a new life for oneself and others. American Dream is important for our American culture today because for one to dream and succeed is a proud moment. In our society today an American dream is a literary trope due to its a repeated allegory with recurring images or figure of speech. For example a feature that makes the American dream a literary trope is by symbolism, such as in the video “ American Oxygen” of flags, liberty, soldiers,etc, idealing the greatness of America and different types of the American dream. Following in the article by John Steinbeck stating “ No one can define it or point to anyone person who lives it, but it is very real nevertheless,perhaps more real than that equally remote dream…”, illustrating The American dream is free for all as long as we work for it but some might consider The American dream as a disillusion. Through the use of archetypes and symbolism F. Scott Fitzgerald communicate the