- 24/01/2013
- Posted by: essay
- Category: Free essays
There are also a lot of poems that are devoted to patriotism. In the book Poems of American Patriotism, 1776-1898, written by Frederic Lawrence Knowles there is a big quantity of poems, devoted to American patriotism. The author of the poem “America” tells “My native country, thee, Land of noble free, Thy name I love, I love my rocks and rills, Thy woods and templed hills…” (Knowles 2008).
John Smith, in his work the General history of Virginia begins telling this story as a first person narrative, but later refers to himself in the third person. He wrote his opinion of the native Americans and the general history of Virginia. Describing Virginia, he wrote “Here every man may be master and owner of his own labor and land… If he have nothing but his hands, he may… by industrie quickly grow rich.” In the book the topic of patriotism was also read through the lines. (Baym, p. 57).
The poem of Phillis Wheatley “To His Excellency General Washington” is as unique poem that was sent to George Washington in October 1775, when he became the Commander-in-Chief of the Armies of North America. The poem also touches the topic of American patriotism. The third line of the poem mentions the “Freedom’s cause”, which is the central theme of the poem, describes the struggle of the colonists to be free from England. It is written:” While freedom’s cause her anxious breast alarms, She flashes dreadful in refulgent arms.” (Baym, p.761).
In the book Piety and patriotism: Bicentennial studies of the Reformed Church in America, James W. Van Hoeven gives the quotation of Revered Rufus W. Clark “I regard patriotism with an American citizen as next to his religion, if not part of it.” So the topic of American patriotism was discussed even in 1876 (Van Hoeven 1976).
Patriotism for Americans is not just the word that is mentioned in the books, but it is the feeling that their hearts are filled with. Evidence of American patriotism can be found nowadays everywhere around the USA. custom term paper
Respect for the national anthem is raised up systematically in Americans` hearts from the childhood. In public schools, usually the day starts with the listening to the anthem. Many public events, such as the city fireworks or sports games start with the anthem also. Americans truly respect their country and stand during the performance of the anthem and put their right hands on their hearts.
The flag, the same as the other state symbols is very popular in the USA. The Americans refer to the flag tremulously and tenderly follow all the established rules of dealing with it.
A lot of Americans buy flags and put them everywhere: to rooftops, windows of apartments, balconies, on the walls, to garage doors. The ways to showcase are different too – flags may fly in the wind or be attached to any surface type poster. Images of the American flag and simply the word “The USA” are also very common on clothing. No matter where these emblems are situated.
Subject of patriotism is popular and often used in advertisements. For example, viewers are shown the video: with the background of solemn music, there are one by one shown the wheat field; the dog that is sitting in the truck; a farmer in traditional jeans, plaid shirt and cap, who is taken the apple pie from the oven; a group of people building together a house. The sound of singing voices: “This is our country!” At that time the patriotic feelings of the audience reaches their top. The same time the truck, “Ford” appears on the screen and the following phrase follows: “And this is our car!” Here is how a sense of patriotism is used even in advertising.
There is a need to say that six out of ten Americans believe that wearing a badge with the national flag shows the patriotic feelings of man. This became known from the results of a poll the newspaper USA Today and the company Gallup (Mnsterberg 2009).
Most Americans also believe that the utterance of “allegiance” to the national flag and service in the armed forces is very patriotic. Most respondents see the manifestation of love for the country in participating in the elections.
National symbols are also used in politics. Question of the manifestations of patriotism are often raised in the ongoing U.S. presidential campaign. The President Barack Obama has repeatedly criticized for lack of patriotism, in particular due to the fact that last fall he stopped wearing an American badge with flag icon. In a recent speech in Missouri the president has denied accusations of unpatriotic, saying that “patriotism is in his blood” (Bishop 2009). In addition, Obama started to wear the badge with the flag in spring again.
Also, many newspapers in 2006 wrote that the U.S. Patriot Act, which was introduced as a temporary measure after the events of September 11, 2001, acquired the permanent status in the USA.
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