Sample Student final exam answers 2019 (2019 final exam assignment) Part 2. Web Highlights

LITR 4340     American Immigrant Literature  Model Assignments

Kaytlynn Smith

14 May 2019

America’s Cultural Framework

          While considered culturally rich, the United States, also known as “the melting pot,” has many symbols that represent the American dream that appeals to so many immigrants all over the world. Although culturally diverse, America retains much of the old world, forming a dominant culture that serves as the social structure that many immigrants assimilate to upon arrival to America.

          In his essay, Chandler Barton provides a brief introduction of the manifestation of America’s dominant culture that put in place a sort of “framework” by which later immigrants would assimilate to. Barton goes on to detail some of the key indicators historically symbolic of the dominant culture such as “plain-style” clothing and bland, sturdy food that stem from historic purposes that served early Anglo-American settlers. He transitions into the influence of protestant religion on the dress-style and ideologies that emerged from the dominant culture as they adapted to their environment. While Barton’s essay displays an observable amount of recognition in the dominant culture’s ability to persist in many forms to this day, he ensures that he also discusses the negative impacts that resulted from the dominant culture ideology, like slavery and the forceful removal of Native Americans from their rightful homeland. Barton concludes that while American culture remains largely WASP in tone, the dominant culture possesses the unique ability of malleability, receptive to outside cultural influences.

          Similarly, Kimberly Loza looks at the dominant culture in America, citing Of Plymouth Plantation, Hillbilly Elegy, and the Declaration of Independence, noticing the appeal of America and the stable life-style it promises. Additionally, Loza breaks down the dominant culture using J.D. Vance’s Hillbilly Elegy, where he writes of a stark difference in Scotch-Irish American culture and WASP culture. Most noticeably, Loza points out the indicators that separate the dominant culture from other cultures like formal education. After breaking down the subcultures within the dominant culture, Loza unites the dominant culture and immigrant culture using a line from the declaration of independence to exemplify American ideals that lie in the ultimate pursuit of happiness. Loza concludes, that it’s this pursuit of happiness and a better life that continues to drive new immigrants to America, where they will likely adhere in some aspects to the dominant culture, including such ideals of freedom.

          While thinking of the dominant culture, it’s important not to generalize and to recognize these subgroups and their origins, as is with all cultures that too often become generalized under one umbrella term. In her essay, Amber Boone questions whether “whiteness” is determined by the color code used in America, or whether we should consider each individual’s heritage when determining a term to describe them. Boone looks into the history of when the color code first appeared, noting that it became prominent during the 17^th century, European explorers sought to define race solely by biological indicators, like skin color. In this way, the color coding generalizations originated and continue to permeate today’s society, although not as strictly applied. She concludes her essay pondering how the definition of America’s dominant culture would change had the color code never existed.

          The dominant culture comprises of many symbolic images that represent the American dream from food, clothing, ideals, and so on; however, the biggest indicator of the dominant culture that many immigrants cannot possibly assimilate to, is the pale white skin with pink undertones which once designated one individual as superior to the next. While this color code remains in place to this day, the ideals have shifted as American society progresses towards more inclusive ideals receptive and celebratory of diverse cultures that immigrants bring over as they seek a better life.