“Ubi panis ibi patria” (598) -Where there is bread, there is one’s fatherland. According to J. Hector St. John De Crèvecoeur this should be the “motto of all emigrants” (598). In “Letter III, What is an American,” St.John De Crèvecoeur defines an American as a “new man, who acts upon principles” (599) and must therefore “entertain new ideas, and form new opinions” (599). To St.John De Crèvecoeur, the ideal American is one who is a combination of many “different nations,” (598) many religious backgrounds and is able to live peacefully with each other. This letter promotes a feeling of American nationalism where a good citizen may be characterized by qualities such as proper work ethics and individual responsibilities. To St.John De Crèvecoeur the farmer is an example of a person who represents an ideal American. America is portrayed as a safe haven where the oppressed from Europe are able to pursue their own self-interest as independent land owners while enjoying religious freedom. America is described as a sort of utopian project, in which its people’s interests are continually fostered. It is portrayed as “every person’s country” (604); a land of vast and endless opportunities to suit anyone’s needs.
In “LetterXII. Distresses of a Frontier Man,” St.John De Crèvecoeur’s vision moves from praising the possibilities of American life to the threatened destructions of those possibilities due to the violence of the revolution. There is a change in tone from his earlier optimism to one of hopelessness and despair. He mentions the effects of slavery and the revolution as causes of the divisions within the new society. He writes “I am conscious that I was happy before this unfortunate revolution” (204). It is evident that he denounces slavery (Letter IX) and may have opposed the revolution. This letter leaves the reader with an image of American social conditions and the American Dream as slowly disintegrating.
At times St. John De Crèvecoeur’s writing reads like a travel narrative filled with adventure and suspense. I found it interesting that he gives us vivid descriptions of nature on its own (Letter X.) or sometimes in relation to man (Letter IX.). He seemed very much into his environment but maybe that was because he was a farmer and saw the coexistence of nature with man as imperative to human survival.
-Vedi Ramdhanie
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I enjoy reading J.Hector St. John De Crevecoeur. I enjoyed it because his letters explain the American dream every immigrant seeks. Crevecoeur tells us how America is so charming and pleasant. I found it interesting that he considers every European an immigrant and not the british as “founders” of America. I agree with Vedi that Crevecoeur describes America as a utopian project. America is seems to be the mother of all countries and religions. No one seems to be rejected in America according to Crevecoeur. Every religions belief is contradicted in America. No one treats you wrong as they do in Britain. Crevecoeur is selling and advertising America as a paradise Island that produces money for its inhabitants. If I would’ve read his letter at that time I would be eager and excited to go to America. Freedom is presented to everyone as they say.
ReplyDeleteAlthough Crevecoeur describes America as a paradise he does say that everyone works for their money. As Vedi quoted from the book, “where there is bread, there is one’s fatherland”. I also like this quote, and that became the motto for every immigrant coming to the United States. It gave me a better understanding of the American dream. Even today this quote is still a good one that could be related to at present time. Immigrants as well as Americans are looking for that American dream.
The letter of a slave that was almost killed by birds was a terrifying experience Crevecoeur face. He helps him by shooting at the birds. I don’t believe that the slave try to kill a landowner. I think this shows us how America’s so called dream was differ with slavery and the revolution according to Crevecoeur. He also admitted that there were problems with the east and west I believe. The letter of the snakes didn’t really seem to make since to me.
--- Timur Bravo
Crevecoeur analyzes the nature of the human being. We as human beings go through misery, we kill our enemies, we eliminate cultures, we take lands by force, destroy the natural environment. To all this, the hope of living a better life is not wealth but the observation of the ten commandments.
ReplyDeleteWe are miserable by nature, in one of another way accept enslavement not only of Africans but whites also (indenture). The better example is the enslavement of Africans in American plantations. When Romans conquered another kingdoms, enslaved their citizens.
We eliminate cultures, the winner takes it all, not only lands, riches, and humans, but destroy cultures when they impose their own culture; and continuing expanding creating an empire, e.g.: Spain and England.
The commerce of products create wealth for the invaders, and misery for the invaded cultures,e.g., America, Mexico, and Peru.
The observation of the scriptures should conduct us to better and more productive lives. Though this latter sounds like living in an ideal world, it could be achieved partially.
Crevecoeur message resembles Aristotle's, when this later mention we should live a more productive lives, not only materially but spiritual life. We should suffice our basic needs and enjoy a cultural life.
In Crevecoeur’s letter “What Is an American”, the audience reads about the new beginning one receives when living in America. He compares and contrasts Europe with America, he talks about the freedom one has, and how the people composing America are hard working. In this letter, he depicts a country with no strong religious foundations, a country preoccupied with its duties. Also, for him, it seems that the work of a Farmer is the job of all jobs. He writes, “From involuntary idleness, servile dependence, penury, and useless labor, he has passed to toils of a very different nature, rewarded by ample subsistence. – This is an American”. Further, it seems that he views America as some sort of Utopia where peace abides and crime does not, he writes, “Here you will find but few crimes; these have acquired as yet no root among us” and “The American is a new man, who acts upon new principles; he must therefore entertain new ideas, and form new opinions”. There were no strong contentions among different people anymore, basically, it seems that people were minding their own business and were to busy working to survive. He then goes on, describing the lifestyles of different Americans, based upon their geographic locations on the continent.
ReplyDeleteOn the other hand, in his letter “Distresses of a Frontier Man”, we see an anxious and depressed Crevecoeur. In fact we see a man that is returning to God in a sense. In the beginning, it seems that everything was going well, but when the war set in, he began to pray and ask God why. He writes, “Great Source of wisdom! Inspire me with light sufficient to guide my benighted steps out of this intricate maze” and “The Creator of hearts has himself stamped on them those propensities at their first formation; and must we then daily receive this treatment from a power once so loved”. All this time he lived his life how he saw fit, and now when things get tough, he looks towards the creater. It is intriguing, that when things were well he took the responsibility and claimed his progress was due to him, but when things got tough, suddenly it is because of God. This change of heart creates a paradox. In addition, he shows a dichotomy in regards to his feelings towards the Indians. He wants there help, but then at the same time, he does not want to be turned wild like them. Also, he is contradicting regarding slavery. He doesn’t seem to like it, but he has slaves himself. He writes, “I intend to say to my Negroes, “In the name of God, be free, my honest lads; I thank you for your past services; go, from henceforth, and work for yourselves…”.
-William Castro
Crevecoeur's take on the American experience in the 1770's seems to be mostly rose-colored. "Letter III. What Is an American" is idealistic and decidedly uncritical of the effects of colonizatin in the New World. He takes great pride in the original "genius" or "distinctive national character" the British brought with them to the colonies and in this way pays respect to his English countrymen. Crevecoeur credits the British with bringing industry, art, science and civilization to a world that was once wild and "uncultivated".
ReplyDeleteCrevecoeur seems to place farming at the top of his most respected occupations. Again he says, "We are people of cultivators." This connection to the land is what he believes will make this a proserperous country. In this, he reminds me of President T. Roosevelt's words: "Qui Plantavit Curabit" or "He who has planted will preserve." Roosevelt does not speak these words for another hundred years or so but it is proof of how seroiusly the American people took these sentiments. It has been a belief perpetuated by Founding Fathers and passed on to Presidents, and then to citizens throughout American history.
The early roots of Capitalism are also evident in Crevecoeur's essay. He places great importance on the fact that there is no great disparity between the classes in American society. Here, a man is able to succeed in trade and profession regardless of his birth. More importantly, "We are all animated with the spirit of an industry which is unfettered and unrestrained, because each person works for himself." He goes on to say that "We have no princes, for whom we toil... here a man is free as he ought to be." Crevecoeur's words are poetic and one is eager to believe him. However, to write this here without a mention of slavery is irresponsible (especially for a man who claims to be so morally opposed). And instead of reading as a true account of the American experience (with both flaws and successes), it reads as a flowery exaggeration of an advertisement.
- Irma Suarez
I see where John De Crevecoueu is coming from on his view about what makes an American, an American, and although I wish we can apply his principles to today’s society, it sucks that we can’t. In reference to Vedi’s interpretation of what Crevecoeur’s vision of what an Ideal American is “the ideal American is one who is a combination of many “different nations,” (598) many religious backgrounds and is able to live peacefully with each other. This letter promotes a feeling of American nationalism where a good citizen may be characterized by qualities such as proper work ethics and individual responsibilities”, these are ideas that people are supposed to believe what makes America, America. America is filled different nations, cultures, backgrounds, differences upon differences, but personally, I don’t think there is that much peace, love, or understanding in America. I mean everyday, there is someone who wants to talk about someone’s race, sex, country, culture, some people go too far and beat each other up or even kill each other due to these difference. Hell yes it is “a land of vast and endless opportunities to suit anyone’s needs” like Vedi puts it but dang, can everyone just get the fudge along. This is a beautiful freaking country compared to others, but seriously, what the fudge? Where is the peace love and understanding, why is there always gotta be some ignorant moron who feels like it is necessary to spill out hate just because someone is different. It seems like we all just tolerate each other, we don’t really feel bad when someone gets killed because hey life gotta go on right, we are all just individuals trying to make it, fine, I guess, but freaking sad. In the words of Barney “I love you, you love me, we are one big family with a great big hug and a kiss from me to you, won’t you say u love me too” I swear, I am not high.
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