How American Are You?-Using insights from Avila’s introduction to American Cultural History and Walt Whitman’s “Leaves of Grass

Based on the readings provided from the Declaration of Independence, Thomas Paine’s “Common Sense,” Avila’s introduction to American Cultural History, Walt Whitman’s “Leaves of Grass,” and others, here are three essay questions designed for your writing in MLA format for a 4 page paper.

These questions are intended to encourage you to think critically about your lives and the broader implications of the texts. Please choose one prompt below for your essay:
Reflections on Personal Liberty and Social Responsibility: Drawing on the

Declaration of Independence and Thomas Paine’s “Common Sense,” consider how the themes of liberty, equality, and the pursuit of happiness have evolved in American society. In your essay, reflect on how these foundational ideals have influenced your personal beliefs about freedom and responsibility towards others in society. Use specific examples from your own life or observations in contemporary America to illustrate the enduring relevance or transformation of these ideals.

Defend your position with textual evidence, but also consider what this means to you. That is, how does your position inform your definition of the themes above?
The Role of Culture in Shaping Identity: Using insights from Avila’s introduction to American Cultural History and Walt Whitman’s “Leaves of Grass,” explore how cultural texts (literature, art, music, etc.) have contributed to shaping American identities, including your own. Consider how these texts not only reflect but also challenge societal norms and values. Reflect on a particular cultural work or tradition that has significantly influenced your understanding of what it means to be an American or a member of your community. Provide at least three reasons to support your position and use plenty of textual evidence.

Engagement with Nature as a Source of Personal and National Identity: Reflect on the relationship between the individual and the natural world as depicted in Walt Whitman’s poetry, particularly in “Song of Myself.” How does Whitman’s celebration of nature and the human body resonate with contemporary environmental concerns and your own experiences of nature? In your essay, discuss how engagement with the natural world can shape personal identity and ethics, drawing parallels between Whitman’s time and today. Defend your position with textual evidence, but also consider what this means to you.

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