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Index
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LITR 4340
 American Immigrant Literature Model Assignments |
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Katie
Morin
12/6/2016
Shortcomings of America’s First Dominant Culture
One of the most interesting things about America’s first group of
immigrants is how adamant they are to remain true to their culture, heritage,
and standards, yet their structure of a dominant culture proves to be somewhat
flawed. This was a theme I noticed in not one, but three essays, written by
Dorothy Noyes (2013), Cassandra Rea (2013), and Tracie Estrada (2013). If those
who implemented these standards for America’s dominant culture cannot even abide
by these standards, then is the dominant culture truly as influential as one
might believe? If the people who have designed the dominant culture cannot
encourage their own people to abide by these ideals, then how can they possibly
expect others to assimilate to them and what they believe makes for a more
well-off society?
In
Dorothy Noyes’ report, “What is ‘White’ and Why?” she notes that before the
pilgrims arrived in America, they arrived in Holland, where they were exposed to
outside influences. She writes that:
“In
watching their own children begin the assimilation process, the Pilgrims
denounced the land that had given them refuge and a home. So unwilling were they
to be the group that had to assimilate, that they departed Holland to make their
home in a place where they knew they would have little to no influencing culture
factors: ‘The place they had thoughts on was some of those vast and unpeopled
countries of America’ (Bradford 4.7).”
I found this to be interesting because even though their community was so
tightly-knit, it still began to unravel at the first chance of breaking from
tradition. Then they arrive in America, where those outside influences do not
exist, and they begin break apart as a community once more. It makes me question
whether or not the dominant culture is truly as influential as they initially
assumed it to be.
Cassandra Rea’s essay, “Evolving Through Time: The American Immigrant”
also depicts the gradual transition from a very religious church community to a
more diverse, “melting pot” (2013). She describes Crevecoeur’s acknowledgment of
this change, writing, “the strange mixture of blood, which you will find in no
other country…he is an American, leaving behind all prejudices and manners,
receives new ones from the new mode of life he has embraced, the new government
he obeys, and the new rank he holds” (3.7) . She explains that this is the case
because individuals began to intermarry, and therefore abandoned the “pack”
mentality as they had previously described. She describes it as the “melting
pot” revealing itself right before Crevecoeur’s eyes.
Finally, Tracie Estrada’s essay, “Determination Will Get Us Through This”
also ties into this theme of breaking away from tradition and what is purported
to be the dominant culture. She writes: “Examining the later portion of the
narrative Of Plymouth Plantation, the
ideals of individualism take root. The dependence on the group is lessened while
the pioneer mentality of self-preservation blossoms stating that, ‘regard trust
to themselves’ (14.1).” Little by little, members are taking their freedom and
independence into their own hands, regardless of the standards set by the
dominant culture which they are
responsible for creating.
Personally, one of the most troubling aspects of this final unit was that
the first wave of European immigrants were able to dictate not only what they
felt to be the best for themselves and their families, but also for other
members of society. After all, these new settlers were adamant that they would
not conform to the ideals set by other people, and would instead have other
people assimilate to them and accept their dominant culture. However, once in
America, this dominant culture began to fall through, not because of negative
outside forces or influences, but because of feelings of discontent existing
within the community. It begs the question: If the people who crafted the
original dominant culture are unhappy or otherwise unable to abide by these
standards, how is the rest of society supposed to successfully live by these
same ideals?
