Wednesday, September 21, 2011
The American Dream - the words of the men and women who helped shape an emerging nation
As we read and study the works of men and women who are in the midst of experiencing the American Dream, we encounter historical and literary figures who have helped to define the term, American Dream. Choose Phillis Wheatley, who was born in Ghana, was stolen as a slave, which brought her to America and/or Thomas Jefferson of Virginia to show how the American Dream is identified through them and their experiences. Be sure to post your own discussion (about one page) and remember to reply to your peers (about 1/2 page) according to the instructions on the blogging handout.
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I found Phillis Wheatley's story to be an incredible showmanship of the American Dream. Her life was something to be proud of even though she was a slave. Taken from her home and put into slavery, Miss Wheatley actually did lead a very fascinating and exquisite life. She always found the best of the worst situation.
ReplyDeletePhillis probably never dreamed to have led the life that she did. Once sold into slavery, she might have felt like it was the end for her. She probably wouldn’t get married, have children, or obtain a decent education. Most of us would often think the same if we were in her situation. She had a little more self-confidence than many of us would and always seemed to get the “long end of the stick.”
As a slave for the Wheatley family, Phillis had to work for Susanna. Seeing how smart she was, she was given an education. This is where the American Dream comes in to play.
All of us dream to someday make a living that we can be proud of. How many of us hope we fail out of college or have a hard time finding a job? I hope none of us do. Phillis had the same dreams as many of us hold. She found herself in what seemed like a difficult situation. Just because she was a slave didn’t mean she gave up. Many of us will give up when we reach a point we feel is too challenging, but why? Why are we so afraid to let our true colors speak for themselves? The only way to be noticed is to let ourselves be the person we’re meant to be.
From the time we’re old enough to plan for the future, we set goals for ourselves. Being in kindergarten, one might hope to become a policeman someday. Although ideas and aspirations most often change during a person’s life, setting goals is a great way that will help shape a person’s life. By dreaming of becoming a doctor or a nurse, that person might feel like giving more effort into school work, rather than a person that doesn’t make time for goals in his or her life.
Phillis’ story of the American Dream should inspire us all. I know it definitely did for me. I saw that no matter what the situation is, there’s always a way out. To dream or not to dream is a question we need to ask ourselves. I don’t know about you, but I’ve never heard of anyone who regretted making a goal or for dreaming a dream.
Once again, my username continues to be an issue.
ReplyDeleteSophie Said..
The American Dream. What is it? Equality? Democracy? For Phillis Wheatley, an extraordinary person with a fascinating story, the American Dream was something that almost slipped right through her fingers.
When Phillis was captured and put into slavery she never thought she could achieve the things that she did. I think Phillis, like many of us, had the mentality that it wasn't going to get any better, that there was no point in hoping for the future. People seem to shut down at the breaking point, at the moment life seems most hopeless. In all honesty if it were me, I am not sure how much strength I could find in myself to not give up hope right then and there.
Though, luckily Phillis was fortunate enough to be put into a slave family that treated her very well and recognized her academic potential. This lead to one of the greatest educations she could obtain, and her poetry was even published at the young age of thirteen. For this girl, the American Dream seemed almost a definite.
I have to applaud her efforts and struggle, also her pursuit through her education to reach the goals that she did, but I cannot and will not applaud her defeat. Once she could not publish a second book of poetry, she swirled into a depression. I am not by any means denying her unfortunate circumstances or her family issues financially or personally, but she should not have given up so easily.
When one is faced with hardships such as their children dying or their career not taking off -or in her case not continuing- they should not automatically accept defeat, and lead themselves into desperation or grieving. To accept defeat is to accept the end, and Phillis had so much to offer to people through her writing that, with persistence, could have risen from the dust of her crumbled life and career.
One has to rise from those struggles, find the light in all the dark. Though an amazing writer and brilliant person, I would have to say that I find myself at a state of disappointment with the lack of strength and sense of "giving up" that Phillis had towards the end of her life. Dying in one’s thirties is far too early, especially for someone who had as much talent as Phillis possessed. I expected far more will and strength from someone who was given such amazing opportunities and went through something as terrible as slavery.
Like many of us, Thomas Jefferson had his hardships. He lost his father at only fourteen years of age, and he overcame it. I think that is just one example of how he embodies the American Dream. He wanted better for the country and for everyone in it. He was willing to do a lot to give us the freedoms he thought we deserved.
ReplyDeleteHis idea of the American Dream was one we all think of. Everyone is the same in our society, no matter how rich or poor. I know this seems difficult to understand, but if you think about it, it makes sense. We all work just as hard. The guy who is struggling to get by is working just as many hours as the millionaire, sometimes more. However, sometimes the millionaires job is more stressful, but not always. Also both men just want what is best for him and his family. They are both striving to give their family everything they can have.
Even though they may both have the same ideas, I think that sometimes the poor man much more shows the American Dream. He doesn't have much, but what he does have he uses to make others happy. He struggles to get by, but he loves his life. He may have children, a wife, or maybe he just is a bachelor. He shows that the American Dream reaches everybody though, not just the politicians or movie stars.
I think that this relates to Thomas Jefferson because he wasn't just looking out for himself, he wanted everyone to have the rights and freedoms that even the wealthiest had. This can also relate to Phillis Wheatley. When she came to America, she was property and nothing more. However with a little luck and a lot of hard work and dedication she made something of herself, thanks to the Wheatleys'. She may have been at the bottom and had no rights but she stayed with the wealthiest. That embodies the American Dream also because of the hardwork and compassion.
People all over the globe dream of having that "American Dream." Some flock here to make a better life for themselves because there are so many oppurtunities here to do whatever you can imagine. I think some of us take this for granted and don't realize that in some way, we are each living our own type of American Dream.
I enjoyed Phillis Wheatley's story because she went from nothing to something. She was taken from her home and forced into slavery.
ReplyDeleteShe was lucky because the people that bought her gave her a good home and treated her well. Susanna learned that she was eager to learn and gave her a proper education, more than many could dream of.
To be honest I have mixted emotions about Phillis such as resentment towards her because she found a way out but many didn't. I know that life isn't fair but what about all the other slaves that didn't get a good master or an education? I feel like with how amazing her poetry was and how well liked, she could of done a little more to help against the ideas of slavery.
My other emotions are that she was very inspirational. Even though she was African American she still found her way in the world of poetry. She died young wich is tragic because she probably would of written more poetry that could help people and still be read today. She achieved the American Dream, even though so many others didn't. Her life sort of reminds me of a quote that I have in my bedroom, " Live as if you'll die tomorrow, Dream as if you'll live forever."- James Dean.
I think that life is to short to take for granted.Like this quote I want to live each day without any regrets because I don't know what could happen tomorrow, and I want to dream and dream as if I will live forever. Phillis Wheatley accomplished more than many of us could imagine but didn't get to finish because of her death at an early age. I don't want to die without finishing what I want to accomplish in life.
Responses:
Kristy,
I totally agree with your statement to " the long end of the stick" because she really did. If you belive in luck, I would say that she is lucky. I just really wanted her to more help others and promate anti-slavery! She got an education and found her place in the writing world but yet again, what about all the other slaves? I think your right in saying that she had a lot of confidence at her young age because she was an African American slave earning an education. I can't even imagine what going through school was like for her. We do constantly set goals for ouselves, some higher than others. My goals are constantly changing. I do think she inspired us by saying that we can chase our dreams, and we just might catch up with them.
Sophie,
I agree with what you said about not giving up. Some people just lay down in defeat without realizing that they can be so much more. I also sort of agree with your sense of wanting more out of her. She did die young but I also was a little dissappointed, with yet again the fact that she could of done more to help against anti-slavery. She achieved what she wanted and then pretty much gave up. I feel like that happens to us sometimes to, we achieve what we want and then after we get it we no longer care. Sophie I do agree with not applauding her defeat but maybe that only makes her human. So many times we hear of stories about how great people are in history but I know that it all isn't true, everyone has there flaws and defects. I think her flaw of defeat only made her human
Phillis Wheatley’s life story is truly remarkable. Phillis Wheatley was granted many opportunities throughout her life, and she took advantage of all of them. The success of her American Dream was not only due to the opportunities that others presented her; it was also due to the opportunities that she presented herself with.
ReplyDeleteHer life did not start out very well. She was captured when she was approximately seven years old, and was put into slavery. No one would ever think of an African American woman living the American Dream in the 1700s, but she did. Phillis Wheatley overcame the obstacles of race and sex.
Phillis Wheatley was purchased by the very wealthy Wheatley family when she was sold as a slave. This was extremely fortunate for her, although she was most likely too horrified to realize it at first. The Wheatley family was kind to Phillis granting her many privileges that most other slaves, especially woman did not have. Phillis was given the opportunity to receive a cultured experience. The Wheatleys offered this to her because of the willingness she had to learn. The Wheatley’s also noticed her intelligence. Phillis wrote wonderful poems. Once her talent was recognized she never turned back.
Phillis Wheatley wrote wonderful and intriguing poems. Phillis never showed off her poems. As a matter of fact, no one would have known what a wonderful writer she was if it was not for Susanna Wheatley. Susanna Wheatley comprised a book filled with the poems of Phillis. The book was read throughout not only the American Colonies, but France, and England as well. In all of these places Phillis’ poems received positive feedback; though I am sure there were some people that did not enjoy her poems as well as others.
I have an immense amount of respect for Phillis Wheatley. I do not think that I would have been able to take advantage of all the opportunities that she did after being stolen from her family at the age of seven. If I was stolen from my family at that age, or even close to it, I would probably not be able to trust anyone for an exceptional amount of time. Not Phillis, she saw an opportunity and took it. She lived the American Dream; she was living in a wealthy home, she received a top education, she was given her freedom, she found love, and on top of it she became somewhat well-known through her poems.
Like many famous or well-known people, Phillis Wheatley and her works became more popular after her death in her thirties. I believe that part of the reason that her poems are so intriguing to people is because they are curious about her story. Not very many slaves became well-known for their writing skills, especially a woman. Phillis Wheatley achieved the American Dream; she was the first African American poet in North America male or female. You go girl!
I hope that I can learn to take advantage of opportunities that present themselves to me, even if they are the result of something bad. I am inspired by Phillis’ story to turn bad experiences into good ones. Phillis Wheatley was a wonderful poet, but I recognize her as more of a role model. She is a wonderful person to aspire after. I am determined to not allow bad experiences to ruin a possible good one. I thank Phillis Wheatley and her remarkable courage and bravery for inspiring me to achieve the American Dream.
Kristy, I completely agree with you. We all want the best. None of us dream of being the local homeless person. At least I hope. We all have big dreams and so many ways to reach them. That is why the American Dream is so great. We have all the chances in the world to become something great, we just have to want it. When we are little we all want to be a hero (such as a doctor, firefighter, or policeman) or maybe even president. In America, no one ever laughs and says no thats not possible. They don't say "you're just a girl" or "you're not rich enough". Everyone has every opportunity to do something great. Also I agree with setting goals. Goals are what leads America's society. Without goals, America might not be near as great as it is today.
ReplyDeleteSophie, I agree with you in that sometimes we all have a mentality where we just give up. Most people recover and move on. However, that is where I disagree with you. For a woman like Phillis, she was strong in my eyes. I can't imagine losing even one child, let alone three. My parents lost a child and even though they moved on, everyday my mom prays for him and thinks about him. There are pictures of him in everyroom in our house and every January 21st and July 6th my mom just isn't herself. Those of the days of his birth and death and she still isn't completely over it. He died 25 years ago, almost as old as Phillis was when she died. I don't think you can get over the grief of losing children that fast. I admire her and I think that if she would have lived longer, she might have pulled though.
You are all highlighting some of the great wonders of the American Dream. Just as Kristy suggests, "Phillis’ story of the American Dream should inspire us all." Could she have had the same opportunities had she stayed in Africa? Do you think somehow this was God's intervention? Or was Wheatley simply lucky? Sophie, you state that "I have to applaud her efforts and struggle, also her pursuit through her education to reach the goals that she did, but I cannot and will not applaud her defeat." However, I wonder how we would be in her same circumstances. I do agree with you as far as the year 2011 goes - I strongly admire those to accept their losses, but do not allow them to define them or to influence them into defeat. However, back in Wheatley's day, I am not so sure that I would have had the strength as a woman to overcome adversity. Stephanie, your point that "sometimes the poor man much more shows the American Dream," may be true because perhaps he may value it so much more from his vantage point. It seems that so many immigrants coming to America today are doing so to avoid persecution, poverty, and disillusionment with their own governments. Keep up the good job in your postings, everyone!
ReplyDeleteKristy, I agree with the fact that we need to set goals in order to push ourselves in life, and to insure that we are staying on track. Many people have talent, but its what they do with that talent that matters. If someone is a very talented runner for example and they only do what they need to do to get by they can be beaten by someone with less talent who has worked toward a goal of becoming the best runner possible. I personally would rather have someone on my team that was less skilled, but working hard and pushing themselves than someone who was naturally better, but not working at all. So I do agree that goals are most definitely a good choice.
ReplyDeleteOn the other hand, I think you should be careful how you word things because some people may think that they deserve to live the American Dream just because they set some goals. It may have behooved you to put a little reminder in your blog that people need to work hard in achieving their goals. We also need to make sure that our goals are SMART. SMART stands for Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic, and Timely. If people follow those five tips for setting goals then they the chance that they do not achieve their goal decreases significantly. People need to work for their rewards. Not everyone can be blessed with a surplus of luck, hard work and perseverance can be more rewarding than the material things that some people gain as a result of luck.
Stephanie, your response was very well thought out. I agree with you in that Jefferson does not seem full of himself nor into the material perspective of the world. Jefferson wanted what was best for all, not just for him. This is most likely why he was like the majority of people. Even though Jefferson did not possess many costly things or dress in the finest linen, he is and was a wonderful example for the youth of today.
The youth in America is being bombarded by money and greed. If they take time out to learn about all that Jefferson achieved without being famous and extremely wealthy in materialistic things, then they would be able to understand that they can live a wonderful life without millions. As a matter of fact, many people that have millions are more miserable than those that have only the necessities. They say its lonely at the top, and I agree with it.
Thomas Jefferson seemed very humble, but I know of one thing that he has done that causes me to have less respect for him. He had slaves at one point or another in his life. This would cause me to believe that he believes in slavery and the possession of people. Stephanie, this contradicts your philosophy of him always wanting what is best for others. Obviously slavery does not benefit all African Americans. What makes matters even worse is that Jefferson writes about how people should not be captured and carried into slavery in A Declaration by the Representatives of the United States of America, in General Congress Assembled. Jefferson is a hypocrite, unless of course he is speaking through experience, and has changed his believes in the topic since he had slaves of his own. I suppose Jefferson shows how human he is in this case. He shows how we grow and change through our own mistakes.
I think that many Americans want to grow up to become famous in someway, whether it’s by acting, designing, being a sports star, and other miscellaneous ways. When Phillis Wheatly was approximately seven years old, on the day she was captured, I can imagine that she never dreamed that she would become an educated, writer, African American woman living in the United States, as a slave. I believe she truly did live to accomplish the American Dream.
ReplyDeleteA good base for living the American dream includes growing up in a small town (or in Phillis's case a small village in practically a third world country) and becoming famous in a short period of time. Wheatly achieved this detail of living the American Dream.
After being taken from her home and sold into slavery, She could have never expected that her name would be well known into the 21st century, be in literature books, her poetry read, and studied. Even having her name well-known long after she has died, is what I believe a big accomplishment that many white persons of the time that she was alive, and now did not even accomplish. This makes the modern day American Dream even more real.
Not only was Phillis an African American, but she was a woman and a slave! Which I believe made a very inspirational story, due to how hard she had to work to achieve what she wanted.
Phillis being only seven when she was taken had to be scared. She was quickly submerged into a culture that she was not used to at a very young age. She learned English in a short amount of time, and was able to become published with her writings. Sometimes, destiny may have something to do with this, considering her amazing luck that she had. Maybe, luck just was not apart of how well she did. It may have been fate.
She was sold to a white family that treated her better than some white Americans today are treated. She received a well rounded education for the time, and was treated fairly decently compared to most slaves of the time period.
I believed that Phillis lived the American Dream more than Thomas Jefferson did. Living the American Dream, I believe, means doing spectacular things and living life to the fullest. Phillis not only did spectacular things, but she embraced her fate of being taken from her home, made the best of it, even though she knew that she would not be able to see her family. She is truely someone inspiring.
Both Phillis Wheatley and Thomas Jefferson are examples of the American Dream. The American dream is not necessarily the exact same thing for every person, as seen in these two. Phillis made the best of her life, as she showed her “owners” that she was willing to learn. Instead of moping that her life is horrible, she became proactive about achieving more in her life. She studied hard and was happy to do so. She didn’t complain and was very willing. She preserved in this willingness, and look where it landed her: the first black woman to have her poems published in books. She was optimistic and she became successful.
ReplyDeleteShe just as easily could have given up on life when she was kidnapped. Instead, she chose to wait it out and see what happens. She definitely saw the silver lining in her troubles. This is what the American Dream is. She looked through the bad and became something great because of it. She proved that blacks can do things that only whites did. She proved that a woman can do things that only men did.
Morgan, I agree with you in that Phillis was not boastful, and that Susanna had a large part in Phillis’s life. She did not promote her poems, Susanna Wheatley did. No one would have known anything about her if not for Susanna. Phillis would not have been able to write if not for Susanna. Phillis is an awesome person, but Susanna needs some credit also. She seems like the person who deliberately and anonymously raises someone else up just because they could make it. She doesn’t want any credit for it; she just wants to know that her friend can do great things. She is shy, but wants the best for her friends.
Laira, I agree with you that she could have had more influence to help other slaves. She was very well known and liked, so she easily could have said something to another slave’s benefit, or speaking out against the horrors of slavery. She seems to write almost that she never saw a slave being treated unfairly, or that she doesn’t care. It is hard to say that she never saw anything, because a lot of slaves were being treated poorly at the time.
I believe that Phillis Wheatley was a good personification of the American Dream because of her life. She came here from another country with nothing to her, not even a birthday or name of her own. She came with just the clothes on her back and made it all from there. Most of what she accomplished was due to the luck of her situation, but she was also very determined as well. She could have said at any point that the education and work was all just too much for her, but she didn't. She work very hard to get her education and become who she is. She made a name for herself that no one can take away from her. Though she struggled with life after her publishing she still managed well. I think that if she was given the choice she would have wanted to stay in Africa, versus have her American education. It was just the way things turned out and God planned for her that she was able to land in such a situation as this. She pushes the fact, as did Jefferson, that slavery was a suppression of human rights and dignity. Her poetry was a way for her to express the evils of slavery on not only her life but others. She had a wonderful gift and used it well. I am so extremely amazed by her efforts and aim to achieve personal success as she did.
ReplyDeleteStephanie, I agree with what you had to say about Thomas Jefferson. His story shows that everybody has hardships in their lives at some point, but that doesn't mean they should break down and give up. He inspires us to persevere through the bad to find the good in ourselves. If we only put our minds to it, we can do just about anything we want. It doesn't matter if you come from a poor family or a rich one. What matters is that you keep your spirits high when you're on the low. Whatever we do in life revolves around the attitude we go into it with. Also, we mustn't only think of ourselves. There are many other people in this world that deserve every bit of the "American Dream" that we do. Taking another person under our wings is something we all need to brush up on.
ReplyDeleteAbby, I also agree with you. I like the concept of saying that Phillis probably didn't dream of becoming anything big in her life. She thought slavery was the end. I can relate to your statement in some ways. For example, I might be nervous for a basketball game, but end up doing really well and surprising myself. It's happened before that I don't have enough confidence nor do I give myself enough credit. We all can accomplish amazing things. It's how we prepare and execute our goals. Phillis' story should inspire us all to do our best, not expecting to be great, but to do well for ourselves.
Laira, I completely agree with what you said about your “rags to riches” comment on Phillis Wheatley’s life, and that she is a good embodiment of the American Dream. However, I disagree with her being able to influence the situation of slavery. She wrote about it in her poems, and though it wasn’t always the strongest part of it, you could tell that she cared deeply about the issues of it. She didn’t wish that kind of fate for anyone, not even herself. She tried, which is much more than one can say of others.
ReplyDeleteSophie, I think you made a very strong interpretation of Phillis Wheatley’s life. On the other hand, what you said about her giving up, I feel I need to disagree with. I don’t believe she just gave up. Everyone is given hardships in life and she didn’t handle hers as well as she should have. Don’t take me wrong, it is upsetting to have such a high response to a work and then everyone act like you never existed, but she was also declining in health. She was very sick and that can mentally wear on a person after awhile. Also, you need to factor in the loss of all her children before they could really live. Those types of situations are always hard on a person. It makes them feel like a failure in a way. With all of that adding on top of each other, I’m slightly surprised she didn’t break down sooner.
Scott R
ReplyDeleteThe American Dream. Something coveted so dearly by so many people throughout the world, from China to Africa, Germany to Australia, to right here in a small town like St. Marys. However, the American Dream is not just something that is given lightly, but rather something one must work very hard to achieve. One such person that worked extremely hard to earn this American Dream was Phillis Wheatley.
Phillis Wheately did not originally start out her life striving to reach America and live the American Dream. She most likely may not have even known of the existence of the American colonies. She was probably oblivious to the huge world around her until she was kidnapped and forced into slavery. She then had America and its culture thrust upon her. However, Phillis was a young, energetic, willing and capable learner. When she was sold from the slave traders to the Wheatley family, she was given the job of tending to the needs of Susanna Wheatley. Lucky for Phillis, Susanna recognized her as a bright young girl and treated her much better than most slaves were treated. Susanna gave her an education equal to that of other children her age in Boston. So Phillis became a well-educated young woman. As this shows, Phillis Wheatley even at such a young age, was a strong girl and strived to survive and better her situation however daunting it may have seemed to her at the time. In the process she became a well-educated individual which was just the start of her living the American Dream.
Miss Wheatley began writing poetry when she received her education. This poetry was so excellent that Susanna compiled a book of her poetry and had it published for Phillis. Phillis’ poetry was very well received in several countries and at this same time the Wheatley family granted Phillis her freedom. Just some more things in Phillis’ American Dream: successful career and freedom. Then after a time, Phillis married a free man; another part of the American Dream.
Unfortunately, Phillis’ early success at achieving the American Dream ended very tragically. She bore three children, none of which survived. Phillis was left full of despair and depression all alone, with no one left to care about and for her. This is an example of when bad things happen to good people for no apparent reason.
Phillis Wheatley may not have set out in her life to live the American Dream, but she most definitely lived it for quite some time. Phillis did as the saying goes and made lemonade out of lemons. She turned her possibly awful situation into the American Dream, however long it lasted.
Maura,
ReplyDeleteI really like what you said about how Phillis Wheatley could have at any time just given up. She could have just quit and that would have been that. She probably would have ended up like so many other slaves at the time; uneducated with no hope of succeeding at almost anything in life. Instead she took on the challenge and rose up out of it as a successful, intelligent young woman. A young woman with the hope and possibility of a successful future, which she ended up having for a time.
It Works!!!!!
ReplyDeleteEvery young kid has a dream, whether it is to be a firefighter, president of the United States, a doctor, veterinarian, professional athlete or pursue a vocational career. Everyone one dreams of the best thing possible, no one dreams to become a bad doctor or a hated president that is simply the American way. The American dream appeals to so many people. Have a successful job, the picture perfect, smiling, family, and live in a cul-de-sac in a big house with friendly neighbors. For some this dream does turn into a reality but unfortunately for others the dream never comes true.
The story of Phillis Wheatley’s life is one that can be compared to a rags to riches story. Wheatley did have a good life in her native country of Ghana, but was stripped of that at around age of seven or eight. After she was sold into slavery Phillis probably thought that her life was downhill from there. Anyone who was taking from home and had their freedom taken from them would never imagine that they would get the opportunity to live the American dream. But Phillis Wheatley was a very inspiring exception to this. She was able to live a better life than maybe would have been offered to her in her native country of Ghana.
When Americans and many other people in the world think top educations they think of some of the most prestigious schools in Boston MA. Wheatley probably never imagined that she would be able to go to these schools, not only because her skin color, but also because of the high cost of attending these schools. But when she was given the opportunity to receive education from some of the top schools in the county she was truly living the American dream. Many white colonists had the dream of going to these great schools, the dream that Wheatley was able to live.
Wheatley over came some great difficult to become one of the most powerful and famous poets of her time. Every writer dreams of having their stories or poems posted in the most famous magazine, pamphlets, or have their own book. After receiving the renowned schooling Wheatley was able to accomplish this dream too. She had a book of poems published.
The American dream does not just take good luck. It takes good luck perseverance and hard work. At any time it would have been easy for Wheatley to just give up. As an African American she probably encountered many setbacks in her journey to success. The first set back was being sold into slavery; even after she was given an education she probably faced many hard ships. Not everyone was happy that African Americans were able to get the same education if not better than they were able to receive. Wheatley probably encountered many jealous people.
Jealousy and greed in another huge part of the American dream. People get so caught up in what they want and how much more they can get they do not take the time to see what they have accumulated. Wheatley never lost herself as she lived the American dream. She stayed grounded and kept working hard.
Wheatley lived a true American dream. She overcame many odds and succeeded at what she did best writing. Her American dream was a real dream because not everything was perfect. Some people may think how is that a true American dream if everything was not perfect? Nothing can ever be perfect the world does not work that way a true American dream is succeeding at what you do best and doing and achieving everything to the best of your ability just as Wheatley was able to do.
Laira,
ReplyDeleteI agree with what you said about Phillis coming from nothing and becoming and having something in life. As Dr. Pam would say, it is a rags to riches story. Phillis was living in a money poor Africa, and came to America where she was more by luck than anything, given the opportunity to lead a successful life and live the American Dream.
However, I disagree with you on one point. How can you resent Phillis Wheatley for making the best of her poor situation, just because she made it out while others did not? It is not Phillis Wheatley's fault that she got lucky and ended up being bought by a wealthy but kind family, and that she was given the opportunities that she received. I personally see nothing wrong that Phillis did. She took her poor situation and made her life into a success, albeit she got fairly lucky along the way.
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ReplyDeleteMorgan,
ReplyDeleteYour story is so very true. You and I are a lot alike in many things, and that also goes for being afraid if I was taken from my home at the age of seven I would be terrified. I think that yes, Wheatley was probably terrified but by the sounds of her story she was able to overcome these fears. When I think back to when I was seven I do not think I would be able to survive on my own I was around first or second grade. I couldn’t even make my own pb and j sandwich.
I also agree with your state meant that her writings became much more popular after her death. I think that this happens to many other writers or any person because after they are gone people realize how much that person did or how they contributed to the community. I think that a good example that you and I, and many kids in the class can relate this too is sports, every year teams graduate seniors. Some seniors who are the leaders and are considered the best, people will expect to feel there absence but it’s the other not to popular ones that we don’t realize how important they were until they are gone. Everyone contributes in a different way that may not be recognizable at first. Last year on the volleyball team we lost 5 of the 6 starters everyone knew it would be different without them but we didn’t realize is how different it would also be without those other 3 seniors who were always there to lend someone encouragement or give advice or just make the team laugh. The same goes for Wheatley. Sure people knew who she was how beautiful her writings were but little people stopped to think of the true impact she had on American writing until she was unable to give us anymore writings or poetry. I think that you did a great job in showing how Wheatley truly lived the American Dream.
Phillis Wheatly was just a child when she was stolen from her home. She had no idea what was going on, and must have felt terrified. She was enslaved and had nothing. She had no knowledge of what was to happen to her. At the time this probably seemed like the worst thing that could possibly happen to her. However, She was lucky and was bought by a kind family. She got a great education. She was a quick learner and started to write poetry and published a poem. Within the next seven years her work was known by George Washington and Thomas Jefferson.
ReplyDeleteWhen she published this poem she couldn’t have had any idea she would be that popular. A book of her poems was eventually published and she was given her freedom. Phillis started out as a slave that had nothing, but worked hard and embraced her love of learning.
This is an example of the American dream because Phillis worked hard and had just as much opportunity as a free person. She eventually gained her freedom and through her passion for writing proved that she was just as important as anyone else. Her life was full of hardships, but she pushed through it all and overcame those obstacles. Even though she was taken away from home as a young child and taken from her parents, something good came out of it. She would have never had this much opportunity in Africa. Her coming to America was a blessing in disguise.
Maura,
ReplyDeleteI love how you incorporated God into your blog. I feel that so many times these day people over look what the power of God can do in their lives. Some things in life are because of luck, others are because of hard work and others are also because of God. God has a plan for each and every one of us we may not know what it is, but we have to believe enough that God loves us enough to have everything turn out alright. This can really be shown in Wheatley’s story yes it was lucky that she got put with such a good family, but God gave her that opportunity, he gave her the opportunity to show the beautiful talent of writing that she possessed.
Many people who think they are living the American dream but still cannot figure out why they are not happy is because many times they are missing one of the most important aspects of the living dream. That one think that is missing is many times the belief and presence of God. Many turn to God in time of need, struggle, and hardship, but when all turns out in the end sometimes we forget about him. In kindergarten we learned that if someone does something for you that you must always show appreciation and say thank you. Yet some of us forget to thank one of the most important people God who is the reason that all we have is possible. Being able to live the American dream that Wheatley and Jefferson were able to live took a lot of work and also much time, but most importantly took the power of God in their everyday lives to get them were the ended up.
Most people chose Phillis Wheatley, so being the person that I am, I naturally had to choose Thomas Jefferson just to support him too. I couldn't just let him feel left out among all the other posts. And, yes, I know he is dead.
ReplyDeleteThomas Jefferson was just like any other person. He was born in a common place, Virginia, where many other people stood out in the crowd. He was the average kid all his life. But somehow, he took that and turned it into something entirely different. Instead of letting his surroundings surpress him, he took the initiative to make a difference.
In his life, Thomas Jefferson became many things; a lawyer, a musician, a writer, and even a president. What is most remarkable about this was that he was the same as any of the rest of us. But he had a vision, a dream if you will, to change America in an example of the true American Dream.
With just himself, he did so many amazing things and changed the course of the United States forever. He could have flown under the radar his whole life but instead became the leader of a country! He wrote one of the most treasured documents of American history! He's on a dollar bill! If that isn't success, I don't know what would be.
I'm not saying success is my interpretation of the American dream but think what those successes led to. We became and independent country, we had an amazing leader, and we changed for the better. This was all because Jefferson was doing what he loved and what he dreamed of for a better tomorrow.
I think its an amazing thing to know one small person can make such an impact. I don't think there's anything else one could wish for than to help others. And then you think of the future millions he assisted that he didn't even know about. He overcame his background as just a simple person and became so much more! If there's one thing that anyone can ask for in this life, it's to do the absolute most with a life.
I think Jefferson depicted that. He changed people while following his dream and what he loved.
Responses;
Maura, I think you're right on track. Phillis Wheately overcame everything in her life and got to the point where she could be an amazing person. She had nothing but built it up to the point where she had all a black woman could ask for at the time. She got an education, a family, and a relatively easy-going life. She used her vision to do so much and is truly admirable.
Sophie, I think yours really makes a person think. What is an American dream? To each person, I suppose, it is something different. But, I can't help but disagree with your disappointment. I think it's amazing all the things she did. Even if she did reach her end, don't we all? And you criticize dying at age thirty but for people back then it wasn't all that unheard of. Maybe what I'm trying to say is this; Phillis Wheately was an amazing woman who did so many things with her life and proved so many people wrong with surpassing her limitations, but we all have a point to which we can go and going any farther is just out of the question. While I do applaud your speech, I can't say I support the discreditting things you say because if I had lived a life like that, I don't think I would have lived it any other way.
Kristy, I agree with what you’re saying. I think you’re right about her feeling like it was the end. It would be so hard for her. She probably thought that her life would never be good again. She had to go through so much never knowing what would happen to her.
ReplyDeleteI agree with what you said about her never giving up. She had to have followed her dreams to keep going and keep writing. It was probably very discouraging for her at times but she never gave up what was important to her.
Sophie... once again said,
ReplyDeleteTaylor, I liked the point you brought up about her skin color. It never really hit me that she was of different color, which I think just goes to show how different times are from now and then. Most people now a days don’t even notice different skin colors or ethnicity. I also have to agree, being an aspiring writer myself, with how every writer wants to be published, and Phillis definitely succeeded in the pursuit. Another good point I believe you made is when you talk about how luck isn’t everything. I hate it when people rely totally on their luck, and blame their mishaps on “I just wasn’t lucky,” or something of that sort. Luck may get a person where they need to be, but hard work and perseverance is the key to staying there. I would once again have to agree with you on everything not being perfect to be the exact definition of the “American Dream.” To be quite plain I would have to say I am not even sure I know the precise definition of that dream.
Scott, I agree with the point you made about her being energetic and a capable learner. Since she was able to learn a whole new language that quickly, and have a book of poems published. I’ve had 3 poems published in small books, but an entire book of them impresses me immensely, and really hits home for me considering the great love I have for poetry and writing. I would have to disagree with you on one point though about these things happening to her for no reason. I think that God has an ultimate plan for all of us, and for some reason that we may not be aware of at the time or moment, God has had some terrible things happen to us. Though, I believe it is all part of his plan, and that we will have a greater glory in heaven.
Stephanie,
ReplyDeleteI believe you had a good point in stating that he overcame the hardships that he faced in life. Many people cannot handle hardships like the ones that Thomas Jefferson went through at such a young age. He lost a father. Now a days, many children and teenagers that loose parents or face some other type of hard ship look to alcohol and drugs. I have not heard of anything saying that Thomas Jefferson lost his way in such a sad way like modern day teenagers. He made it through and ended up being extremely successful and well known throughout history. It takes a lot to bounce back from a hard situation, but he did it, and ended up writing one of the most incredible and important documents of American history.
I would have to disagree with your statement that we are all equal and work as hard. We live in the United States, although things are suppose to be equal rights for everyone, there are still some flaws in the system. There are people on well fare that are doing absolutely nothing but sitting at home feeding off of the government, while the hard working other people out there who want to go to college, get a decent job, and making ends meet. Yes, the millionaire’s job may be more stressful than a minimum wage job, I will agree with that much. However, there are Americans today who are, in fact, just plain lazy.
Also, I believe that people who are famous are put on a higher status level than those who are not so well known. And this also causes me to disagree with your statement, even though, I can see why you may think that all people are equal.
Sophie,
I interoperated your first statement that there are different ways to live out the American Dream, and how Phillis Wheatley lived that out in her own way. I did not think of it that way, and It is a very good point.
However I do not agree with the statement you made about how it almost slipped through her fingers.
I believe that she never really had the issue of her success of living the American Dream. Many of the things that Phillis experienced were put into place for her. Even though her possible overall happiness of just living in her village with her family for the duration of her life was upsetting, I think that she achieved more success by being taken into slavery, raised to a higher education, and she would not be as well known today if she would have not have gone through the hardships that she did. I do not think that it slipped through her fingers, but her fate was eventually embraced with an open hand.
Alex, I agree with what you said about Thomas Jefferson. Not very many people are recognizing him for achieving the American dream but he had a hard life and followed his dreams too. He influenced a lot of people in his life. He had so many accomplishments despite his background and obstacles in his life. I like what you said about Jefferson having a huge impact because it is strange to think that one person could do so much. It makes you think about the significance of every person. You never know what one person may do or contribute. Something as simple as one person can make such a big difference. It makes you take a second look at the things that you do because they influence not only yourself but others too. One small action can have a bigger significance than we think. Personal happiness seems like a big part of the American dream to me. I agree with you that Jefferson influenced to many others, but also he was happy with himself and his dreams that he chose to follow.
ReplyDeleteThe American Dream. Four simple words that once, and still does, mean so much to many Americans. I see the American Dream as a personal goal for happiness, success, and prosperity. I believe that the American Dream is different for each individual. To some, the American Dream could mean riches and wealth; to others it may mean success in a career, a hobby, or even as a mother. It is a personalized goal to achieve whatever it may be that you are looking for in life, whether that be opportunities, material comforts, freedom, or equality. Whatever a personalized American Dream may be, they all have one thing in common, and I believe that is the pursuit of happiness.
ReplyDeletePhillis Wheatley showed an extraordinary life living out the American Dream. She exemplifies a rag to riches story in which many people could never have the courage or strength to overcome. Phillis Wheatley rose from the very low of American society to a well respected woman praised as an American pioneer. She started her life with every odd against her, possibly to never get out of the dark depths of slavery. She was enslaved at the unripe age of seven or eight, her life had barely begun in her homeland in West Africa when she was vigorously taken away from all she had ever known to be a slave in America. She arrived in America, and perhaps with a touch of fate she fell into the hands of the Wheatley family from Boston. I believe that fate was what lead Ms. Wheately to this family, not luck. I think that Phillis made her own luck in her dreadful situation. She was an intelligent young woman that was enthusiastic to learn. Because of her willingness and perseverance to be educated in the language and customs of her new home, she was granted with a stellar education, just as good, if not better to one of a while girl of her age. Because of Phillis’s positive attitude she was able to write poems that achieved her great success and publication. I admire the fact that Phillis always kept her head up, when something brings us down it is extremely hard to stand back up, brush off the dust, and move on. People that have that ability to achieve their own happiness are extremely admirable in my eyes. In order to reach any American Dream you must have that drive within you to keep moving on from obstacles in your path, and this is exactly what Phillis did. She overcame countless obstacles in her life, and only did so because of her drive to live out her dream of true happiness. When she was enslaved she made the best of her situation, when the only family she has ever known passed she married to find her happiness, and when all odds were piled on her shoulders she made her own luck. I think that Ms. Wheatley reached only part of her American Dream. She reached the point of success and prosperity, but I’m not sure if she ever was truly happy, especially in the ends of her life. Even though she had a tragic beginning and end to her life, what she did in the middle of her life is something that we must admire and remember for generations to come.
"life should be better and richer and fuller for everyone, with opportunity for each according to ability or achievement"
I think that this definition of the American Dream by James Truslow Adams in 1931 outlines exactly the life of acheivements of Phillis Wheatly. The American Dream can, and should, be achieved by everyone, but only if we give ourselves the opportunities for that achievement.
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ReplyDeleteI think the Phillis Wheatley story is a really good example of the American dream. Many people come to America in hopes of finding new opportunities or jobs or just a second chance at life, even still today. Phillis Wheatley was taken here, as just a little girl, by a ship to America to be a slave. She had absolutely no choice in this, but she really lucked out.
ReplyDeleteMost slaves were not lucky enough to be “owned” by nice slave owners who actually have a concern about what happens to the slave in the future. Phillis did, her “owner” gave her, a slave, a great education; at the time this was almost unheard of. Wheatley was remarkably able to capture the art of poetry very quickly. She wrote many poems and Mrs. Wheatley was able to get them published.
With her poems out there to read she did grow to become popular. She had the opportunity to even meet with Washington! She was eventually given her freedom and then she went and married to a free man. In her time she had one of the best lives a slave could have had, she was well taken care of. I like this story because she made something out of herself writing good poetry when she, a slave, came from nothing.
Most importantly, this shows us that we can do great things even if we do not start out with much. This also is an example of how thankful that we live in a country where we can be educated and can learn, not all countries have that.
Stephanie
Jefferson had had a hard life but yes, he did continue to try and make other people’s lives better. He did not have much but he got by with what he had and use only that to better his life. If you are rich, poor, lazy, or hard working anyone who tries can live the American dream.
Abby
I really do not think that Wheatley would have ever thought her poems would have made it all the way to the 21st century. You pointed out that she was a women also… this means even more because she was at the bottom of the slaves, the men usually came first. She really did make the best of her situation but in the end I bet she would go back to Africa to be with her family that she had not seen since she was about 7.
Responses
ReplyDeleteMaria,
I totally agree with you when you say that Ms. Wheatly’s enslavery was a blessing in disguise. If she would have stayed in her native land she would have been an average woman, but because she came to America she made a life for herself that was truly remarkable. I think that this is how life works, everything happens for a reason. That is a hard thing to embrace though because at times it seems like no good can come from a thing so negative. But we must trust that God is leading us in the right path.
Sophie,
I disagree with you when you say “I think Phillis, like many of us, had the mentality that it wasn't going to get any better, that there was no point in hoping for the future.” If she had that mentality do you think she would have been so eager to learn? Or so excepting of a culture that was completely foreign to her? I think that Phillis would have had to have the opposite mentality, if she didn’t I don’t see how she could have risen from those hardships. I agree and disagree with you though when you say that it is difficult to except her end. It’s hard to believe that someone who overcame slavery did not overcome what happened to her later in life. I think that as readers of her story we expect this fairy tale ending, but we also need to realize that this woman went through so much that maybe she just couldn’t take it anymore. I don’t think we can accurately judge her ending because none of us have ever gone through hardships even close to the ones she went through.
Steph,
“I think that sometimes the poor man much more shows the American Dream.” I loved your point to this statement. I think that it is so much more admirable to see the poor man climb from the bottom than to see a man with many opportunites to reach the very top.
Phillis Wheatley and Thomas Jefferson are two amazing examples of American dream. The typical American dream story is one of success in life, may it be success in education, career, posessions, etc. These two in my opinion have recieved the ultimate American dream because they deserved the life they received.
ReplyDeleteWheatley was captured as a very young girl, around six or seven, when most children at that age don't have a care in the world. Fortunately, Wheatley was bought by very kind and caring slavers. In her new home she had the freedom and encouragement to get a good education and to write poetry which made her famous around the world. Unfortunately, her last days were tragic, she lost her family, the Wheatley's, her husband, her three children, then she herself died. I feel even though her life had it's ups and downs she died an accomplished woman of the American dream. she acheived it through her peotry, education, and at times a nice house with a loving family.
Jefferson, on the other hand, did not start out with the adversities that Wheatley did. Though his dad did die, he was given an education and a 5,000 acre estate. Through his life he went above and beyond expectations in America. He had accomplished the American dream and acheived many great tasks such as member on the Virginia House of Burgesses, part on the Second Continental Congress, lawyer, and many more tasks. He achieved the American dream through all his accomplishments in life.
The thing that inspires me most about Jefferson and Wheatley is no matter what the condition the were given, the persevered and worked to acheive what they felt was best and lived their dreams. Also in most cases of an American dream, people are trying to achieve it to impress or compare with other people but I feel these two acheived it and worked so hard for themselves and for their own self-worth. They are an inspiration to me and should be to many other people. Also I think people should realize the American dream isn't all about a nice car, a huge house, or many material things, but that it can, more importantly, be about the good you achived, friends you've made, love you shared, and big time accomplishments, and not just take for granted what is handed to you.
I would love to agree with everybody else in saying that Phillis Wheatly's story was that of the picture-perfect American dream, though there is something about her story to me that just doesn't seem very dream-like. I don't think that Wheatly's story is that of an American dream but rather a story of "luck" for lack of a better term. Sure Phillis was a successful poet and was even recognized by George Washington, but I look at this as her just making the absolute best out of a situation that could've been much worse. You have to understand that when Wheatly was captured from her home and taken aboard a slave ship she wasn't sitting with a smile on her face thinking, "oh boy im sure excited to try to achieve the American Dream in this new country!" She was probably wondering how much longer she was going to stay alive. Wheatly was very blessed to be taken into a home that gave her a top-notch education and treated her with dignity. I am not trying to say that Wheatly's story is not an incredible one, indeed it is an incredible story, a heart warming story that tells us that it is always okay to hope for the best in any situation. Though while Wheatly was writing wonderful poetry remember this, she was still a captive woman, she had no idea what was going on with her family and friends in her native land, she was still a SLAVE. She would have no way of knowing if her family was okay, or if they were all enslaved somewhere being treated brutally in a slave field. If I had to say I would think that this was an awful weight to hold as a young woman. I am not trying to take anything away from the beauty of Wheatly's incredible story, it just seems to me to be the story of good fate, not the story of a woman striving for the American dream.
ReplyDeleteTo me the better case of an American dream is the life of Thomas Jefferson. Thomas Jefferson's life has so many accomplishments that it is hard to believe he could've done it all in one life time. It would be hard to find anybody in any time period that wouldn't have respect for Jefferson, he was a hardworking man who acieved everything he put his wonderful mind to. He founded a University, drafted the Declaration of Independence, and attributed much to the world of science. He was respected, and looked at as a sign of Freedom from Britian in America. This to me is the picture of an American Dream.
There are many differenty opinions in this blog topic because everybody will have a different opinion on what the American dream really is. One person would think that the guy who lives with his parents basement and sleeps in till noon is living the dream, while another person believes that the man who is surfing waves off the coast of California is living the dream. One thing we can all agree on is that America is a beautiful contry that allows us to do the most important thing of all that we take for granted every day. This beautiful country gives us the oppertunity to live out whatever it is that makes up our dreams.
Thomas Jefferson led a very interesting life. He portrayed what it is meant to be "an American". We always hear about the American dream and stories that show it. Sometimes I notice myself thinking "How on Earth could or would that happen to me?" I am just some kid from a town in the middle of nowhere. I am not cultured, I have not traveled the world, I do not have the powers to achieve such a high, noble status. But, what I do have is the will to succeed and to make the best with what I have. I have the urge to learn and to become cultured and travel the world and meet new people and be the best person I can possibly become. I feel like this was basically the same opinion as a young, ambitious Thomas Jefferson. Jefferson was not necessarily poor or lost but he had a rough beginning. He needed that apparent passion for learning which he eventually perfected. He was a master of languages and was skilled in many professions. These were a result of hard work and wanting to become the best possible person he could become. Many experts and admirers tend to agree. He is most well known in politics. With his education and his eagerness to learn, he became arguably one of the greatest political philosophers these United States has yet to see. With this title he drafted the Declaration of Independence, which made the United States who we are now. He organized, supported, and signed the Louisiana Purchase which physically expanded our nation. Jefferson, in essence lived the American Dream so many men and women yearn for. He shows that it is possible with perseverance and overcoming some failures. With some of Jefferson's qualities I can only hope to become as successful as him in the pursuit of the illustrious American Dream.
ReplyDeleteLaira, I agree with your thoughts and opinions but the one thing I have a difference in opinion about is I don't feel resentment toward her. I feel she was given the chance for a reason. I think that she took full advantage of the chance she was given and felt lucky to have the chances she recieved. I feel she was meant to have an oppurtunity to actually change or influence other peoples life by her inspirational life. I think she really took advantage of her situation, showed her will to learn and fortunatly for her she was blessed with someone that could help her achieve that.
ReplyDeleteOn the other hand I do see where you are coming from. That some of the slaves are given abusive, or harsh slavers and it does seem unfair. I alo agree with the fact she did live the life she was given to the fullest but she could have spoke out against slavery a little more. For the most part though, I think she had a very accomplished life.
Scott,
ReplyDeleteI really like the point you made that brings to light the fact that Phillis Weatly wasn't thinking of trying to achieve the American dream in her early life in Africa. This is similar to the point I made in my blog. Though i have to disagree with you when you go on to say that she lived the dream. I don't know why I have such a problem with connecting her story to and American dream, it just doesn't seam to me that his life that she lived was her dream.
Kristin,
I think that your paragraph on the American dream is a perfect representation of what it really is all about. I agree with your point that the dream could be living as a successful business man, or living as a good mother. Though I have to disagree when you say that Wheatly is a "rags to riches" story. I think that maybe her story is a riches to rags story. I look at it as though that becoming a famous poet is a small reward for living a life without family in a alien land.
Laira,
ReplyDeleteIt's terribly interesting your thought on how she just wrote poetry and did not attempt to work towards solving slavery. It appears that she did not attempt to help abolish slavery. She could have been out there like Harriet Tubman working the underground railroad and trying to free runaway slaves. Or, she could have been like a more modern, Martin Luther King, Jr. He went out into public and voiced his opinion openly, with no fear or regret of his opinion. These pioneers were out there trying to solve a problem at hand while Phillis was sitting there writing poetry. I am not shooting down the fine arts or poetry or anything of that sort. I thoroughly enjoy all of the stuff. But, maybe in here personal situation she could have put her talents elsewhere.
The more I think about it, it could be because slavery did not harm her. It actually gave her a better life. He owners were kind and compassionate towards her and she did not fear or hate slavery. This could be why she made no attempt to help end it. This is open to interpretation and can be taken several ways.
Stephanie, I think the points you made were great! I agree with the fact that it might look like we are all working for completely different American dreams based on our wealth or social status, when in reality we mostly want what is best for ourselves and the ones we love. It may look better in some cases, for example, Wheatley overcoming slavery, and buying her own freedom. Maybe a millionare doing something huge when someone who is poor doing something that seems small, but is huge for them because it is the best they can do.
ReplyDeleteAll people have to overcome adversities and challenges to get their American Dream, but if we really want to achieve it we will overcome these challenges. I also agree with the fact that Wheatley was given one break in her life and through her hard work, she took that break and ran with it. Also, the term American dream descrides America perfectly with all of the freedoms we are blessed with.
9bff2e80-e56b-11e0-b5e2-000f20980440
ReplyDeleteA.K.A Sophie, *haha*
It really does appear that she does give up, doesn't it? It just seems like she lost all ambition. Personally I feel like grieving is a necessary evil. Something that we have to deal with that comes along with all hardship. Granted, we can sit there and sulk and feel like crap and have not ambition or we can rise above and become the better person that we are capable of becoming. It is much easier to say than to do, but Phillis should have seen this and continued her passion of expressing herself through poetry and literature. Hopefully, we can all learn a lesson from her faults and most importantly her successes.
I think that Phillis Wheatley’s story is an excellent example of the American Dream, although it did not start out that way at first. When I think of “the American Dream,” I tend to think of families emigrating to American from countries with high hopes for their new lives. I imagine them to be excited, maybe a little fearful, as is to be expected with anyone moving somewhere new, but still excited and generally positive about the idea. Most importantly, they would have come to America by choice. This is nothing like Phillis Wheatley’s story at all.
ReplyDeletePhillis Wheatley’s journey to America didn’t start out dream-like. It was much more like a nightmare. She was kidnapped from her home as a child, and put onto a slave ship without her parents or anyone to comfort her and tell her she would be okay. In fact, if it wasn’t for the luck of her being bought by the Wheatley family, she probably wouldn’t have been okay.
Few slaves were able to be educated in secret, let alone given an excellent education by their owners. The Wheatley family seemed to have treated Phillis almost as if she was a member of their family, rather than a slave they bought to work for them. Mrs. Wheatley even took the time to help her have her poems published. I feel like many slave owners would have seen her talent in poetry, and done nothing about it or even claim the work as their own. Instead, she got Phillis’s poetry out in the world for other’s to read. I doubt any other slave would choose to continue to live with their owner after their freedom besides Phillis Wheatley. She was certainly very, very lucky.
However, I don’t think the credit for her being able to live out an American Dream should be given entirely to the kindness of the Wheatley family or even her talent for writing poetry. She also played a huge role in how her life turned out. She could have spent her life dwelling on the past and the fact that she was kidnapped, even if she was bought by a very kind family who educated her. While there’s no doubt she did miss her life back in Africa, – It’s shown in the poem in our books. – She made the best of her situation. Her life could have very well turned out very differently had she not.
Laira,
ReplyDeleteI really liked how you questioned her lack of involvement in abolishing It wasn't something I thought about until I read your post. She really could have made a huge impact on abolishing slavery given the position that she was in. I think it is almost selfish of her not to have helped in the movement against slavery. She ended up living an American Dream, while others were mistreated and exposed to the horrible thing that slavery really was. Why didn’t she help the people who weren’t as fortunate as her?
At the same time, I think maybe she's justified for not working for the freedom of slaves. I couldn’t help but think about how the Wheatley family would have felt had she used what they gave her to almost work against them. I doubt they were big on the mistreatment of slaves themselves, given how they treated her, but they could have taken her working against slavery as ungratefulness towards everything they did for her.
I also think that she may have helped in abolishing slavery though her poetry, just maybe in some that we haven’t read. The poem that is in our book definitely was moving, and could have made someone involved in slavery rethink what they were doing. She may have written more poems similar to that one that worked against slavery in a different way than giving speeches or rallying marches.
Alex,
I liked what you said about comparing an American Dream to success. Both Phillis Wheatley and Jefferson were very successful in life, but their success doesn’t necessarily mean they lived an American Dream. At the same time, I feel like success plays a larger role in the American Dream than it really should. People who came here hoping to live out the American Dream probably didn’t feel like they were unless they were somewhat successful in life. Success plays a huge role it people’s happiness, although it doesn’t always need to.
I also liked that you chose Jefferson and not Wheatley like almost everyone else (myself included). I definitely think he needed some recognition. Not only did he live out an American Dream, he made it possible for thousands of other people to live out their own American Dreams.
I am extremely impressed with the quality of all of your postings. There is some real "critical thinking" evident in your responses to the prompt. You are starting to challenge one another and I can see that your engagement with the text is bringing out your position on subject matter that helps to establish you as a citizen of the USA!!! We are all opinionated, aren't we?
ReplyDeleteLaura Buchheit
ReplyDeleteI think Thomas Jefferson lived the true American Dream. He fought his way through his life to earn a better life not only for himself but also for other Americans. Jefferson struggled from the beginning. His struggles enabled him to accomplish so much more then a normal person. Jefferson lost his father at an early age, causing him to be self-reliant. He was left a huge amount of land, and the chance for higher education.
Jefferson used his opportunity to give freedoms to those who rightfully deserved them. Seeing as how every human deserves rights, Jefferson had taken on an immense job. The right he fought for the most was freedom. Freedom is something that is hard to understand when we have had it our whole lives. The only time in our lives when we know what its like not to have freedoms is when we look at our people in foreign countries. They come from a place where can do nothing that will ever influence other people or make a difference. These people then come to America and use their freedom regardless of their race, religion or sex to make something of themselves rather it be an astronaut, policeman or doctor.
I think that when Jefferson wanted to fight for his country he was prepared to work for it. He knew how hard it was going to be and he wasn’t letting that stop him, He had perseverance. Every one who comes from nothing knows the American Dream. They are the people who know what an honest days work is. They like Jefferson are perseverant. They know what its like to have something that holds you back just so you become stronger. To me the American Dream is all about people who have nothing, who strive and fight to be something one day that people can look back on and say, “Hey I went to high school with her.” Maybe even someday have your name written in a history book.
I like Thomas Jefferson’s story because he used the advantages that he had to help an entire country of people rather than just himself.
Responses:
Abby,
I agree with so much of what you said about Phillis Wheatley. She had a horrible start. She was an African American, woman slave. She worked so hard for everything that she earned. I do, however disagree with her being a better example then Thomas Jefferson of the American Dream. I think that Wheatley almost got lucky in a way being that she was educated. Whereas Jefferson had the education opportunity, but he did so much more with it. He did things that changed lives of other people. I think that when you have been credited with making other lives better is when you, yourself have a life worth living. I do admire Wheatley for all her work and find her story to be inspirational.
Taylor,
I like what you said about people who live the American Dream who have greed. As unfortunate as it is many people today just care about making money. They start out with a goal in wanting to be a good person with an education and they end up only caring about the paycheck at the end of the week. The people who truly live their dreams are those who do it pro-bono. The people who work for charities and causes experience what the American Dream was meant to be, the freedom to do what you love without judgment and maybe to help a free others along with it. Wheatley never let her circumstances stop her from doing what she loved.