This image has deep roots in American mythology. It is founded upon a belief about
ourselves as a people, that the nation was forged by rugged individualists who relied
on their own wits (with the help of firearms) in the struggle to build a democracy. The
perspective viewers are given in this picture helps reinforce the sense of power guns
can provide, along with a sense of moral rightness about what the shooter is doing.
This mythology is at the center of the ongoing debate over gun control.
Steven Gassaway
This is a photo of a bald eagle, the emblem of the United States of America. The
United States is represented by an eagle because it is one of the most strong, fierce,
and powerful birds in the world. This is a great representation of the United States
because of the prosperity it took to acquire freedom. The bald eagle is at the top of
the food chain in the same way that the United States is one of the most influencial
nations in the world. The lifespan of a bald eagle is very long compared to other
birds, representative of the United States' longetivity of prosperity. Overall, the
intimidation, power, and longetivity of the American bald eagle represents the United
States in perfect fashion and has extensive ties to American mythology.
Julia Herzberg
I chose to find an image portraying the first Thanksigivng, where we can see both
pilgrims and native Americans gathered together and feeding one another. This is
representative of America's foundation not only because it portrays the first
Thanksgiving celebrated in our country, but it displays the ideology we Americans
pride ourselves in of helping others and working together despite our differences.
While historically native Americans were pushed into near cultural extinction from
European settlers, American values are built on the ideology that we came to this
coutnry to live in freedom from societal constructions that didn't allow for differences.
Religious freedom, freedom of speech, and the pride we have in our diversity as a
melting pot country all stem from the notion that many different people come to
America for the same reasons. This picture serves as an example of this coming
together of cultures we pride ourselves in as a country.
Sarah Maher
The picture chosen is of Christopher Colombus first arriving to land in the Caribbian
Island. Till this day, people think that Colombus set foot on the new world but he
never did. Colombus is celebrated as a national holiday in the United States due
to president Franklin D. Roosevelt, Columbus Day was made a federal holiday in
1934. Europen immgrants pride themselves in finding the new world. However, the
history behind Colombus is more dark than we seem to know. The idea that we
came to America to find freedom and provide freedom to others is not based on true
facts of Colombus.
Marion Miller
America's melting pot is a metaphor for the assimilation of immigrants into the United
States where various nationalities, cultures, and ethnicities are fused together. The
term became popular during the 1900's when there was an influx of European
immigrants coming into the country. The image I selected is one where Lady Liberty
is stirring a pot of "citizenship" filled with individuals from various countries. This
image is important within American mythology because it speaks to the fundemantal
idea that America is a place where people can come, build a new life, and achieve
their "American dream." This idea is also at the center of modern U.S immigration
debate which has filled the news recently.
Faheem Khan
The picture that I chose to use for this, is the famous and well known man known to
be the personification of both the United States and the American ideology itself,
Uncle Sam. According to legend, Uncle Sam first came into use during the War of
1812 and was supposedly named for Samuel Wilson. He was mainly used to recruit
new and young soldiers for the US army. He gave this idea of hope and
determination to the US people, that they were really fighting for their country and
their efforts would not be in vain. Somehow it worked and motivated a lot of men to
sign up for battle, even though there was still a very high chance that they may never
comeback. Uncle Sam's mythology has be around since the early 19th century,
Uncle Sam has been a popular symbol of the US government in American culture
and a manifestation of patriotic emotion.
Brandon Weiner
I chose a picture of George Washington who is deeply involved in American myths.
Washington is thought of as the father of the United States, someone who shaped
and formed what America is today. There are stories about him such as him cutting
down the cherry tree or the fact that he never told a lie. These are of course
unverifiable but they are placed on Washington who is seen as the father of America
that he can do no wrong. He simply became a symbol in American myth to resemble
as strong and powerful country.
Akshitha Ajayan
A modern day example of an American Foundational myth is the Hamilton musical.
The musical pays tribute to the life of Founding Father, Alexander Hamilton. He is
known for serving in the Revolutionary War, writing many of the Federalist Papers,
which helped in ratifying the Consitution, serving as the Secretary of the Treasury,
and shaping Washington's foreign policy. Hamilton's story represents the American
Dream, the idea that people from all backgrounds and walks of life can come to
America to achieve their dreams and become successful through hard work. He
represents the American beliefs of standing up for what you believe in and actively
participating in government (civic duty). Hamilton is the model American citizen.
Aharon Paul
The chose a picuture of the Statue of Liberty. The Statue of Liberty represents many
of the ideals the United States of America is built on. Some of them include: freedom,
liberty and the "American Dream". Back in the late 1800, immigrants that would be
traveling to the United States, would go through Ellis Island. Upon reaching Ellis
Island, they would also see the Statue of Liberty. For these immigrants, it
represented opportunity to live freely under no oppresion. Many of these immigrants
were coming from Northern and Western Europe due to political instability, restrictive
religious laws and deteriorating economic conditions. It represented the opportunity
for those people and people of all backgrounds to come here and achieve their
dreams for themselves and their families. All of these ideals together reflect a hope
for a better world.
Loni Fields
I chose Rosie the Riveter. During both WWI and WWII, women had to start working
jobs that men would normally work since the men were on the frontlines. The name
"Rosie the Riveter" was from a song sang by many bands, but more notably by a big
band called Kay Kyser. It was based off a real woman, Rosalind P. Walter, who
worked on F4U Corsairs. The actual iconic image, however did not come about until
1942 during WWII. The image itself portrays a woman flexing her arm and wearing
a red bandana while holding a serious gaze, shouting "We can do it!". It at first
wasn't more than war propaganda to motivate factory workers, but was later adapted
for feminism movements in the 80s. It symbolizes feminine power and the ability to
do anything a man can do.
Johnny Appleseed
I decided to focus on Johnny Appleseed as one of Americas founding myths.
Appleseed born John Chapman was an American pioneer as wells as a nurseryman.
As a nurseryman he proceeded to plant large amount of apple trees to number of
states in the United States of America. While he is remembered as a legend while
still being alive due to his kind demeanor and generous acts, his ideas in nature
conservation is what propelled him as an American legend. This was even noticed
by the native Americans and was admired by them for his intention in conserving
nature led to him being seen as someone blessed by the great spirit. His kindness
even spread towards animals and insects who he deeply cared for even creating a
story where he had a pet wolf which started following him after he had healed its
injured leg. The ideology of conserving nature is heavily advocated and is something
that the current generation has to acknowledge.
- Ajay Ragul Neelakandan
For my myth I chose to focus on Davy Crockett. Crockett was a fronteirsman born in
1786, a politician, as well as a soldier in the Texas Revolution. However, there are
several feats attributed to Crockett that seem impossible, such as killing a bear when
he was only 3 years old, as well as seemingly superhuman abilities in bouts with
Native Americans and at the Alamo. These stories most likely came about from a
time when Americans romanticized moving out west onto the frontier, as it gave a
very strong folk hero to try to emulate and to inspire.
Gerald Bogue
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