The Uncultivated American Characters in American Literature
Throughout history, Americans have always rebelled against society and culture of other countries. While some Americans persisted to clinch onto the ways of their foreign homelands, most Americans always tried to create new rules in society. Since America is a melting pot of foreigners, its people have struggled to find an acceptable place in the world's views. Early American writers have often shown these struggles from their own perspectives. The fact that American culture was new greatly influenced American education, appearance, and attitudes. Of the many works that demonstrate early American culture, "The Walking Women," written by Mary Austin stands out. With the creation of the U.S., new laws and customs were bound to happen. The "Walking Women" challenges and pushes old beliefs to the limit. Some people considered it to be a sin for women to have short hair. The narrator purposely states "At the time I knew her, though she wore short hair and a man's boots, and had a fine down over all her face from exposure to the we
In Henry James' Daisy Miller: A Study, Daisy's manners become a product of America's scrambled culture. As she traveled to different countries, her confusion of society's rights and wrongs confused her. Many Europeans were shocked at her attitude. Although her heritage took a front set in other countries, she struggled to understand the snobby pristine ways of Europe. In one instance, Winterbourne scolds Daisy by stating "When you deal with natives you must go by the customs of the place. Flirting is purely American custom, it doesn't exist here." (James, 314). It is difficult for Daisy to fathom the fact that her American habits are not socially acceptable in Europe. Of course her American attitude kept her from listening to her snobby foreign friends. To Daisy everything was a game. At one point, she tells Winterbourne "I have noticed you. But I noticed you were as stiff as an umbrella the first time I saw you." (James, 316) ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Austin, Mary. "The Walki
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Approximate Word count = 700
Approximate Pages = 3 (250 words per page double spaced)
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