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What It Means To Be An American Essay

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Recommended: Introduction about American literature

The first day of class, I responded to what it means to be an American, by saying that I lived in America. I was free and had the promises that were promised when America was founded by the first settlers. My answer for what makes, The House of the Seven Gables by Nathaniel Hawthorne, American is no different. The novel by Hawthorne, was set in America it also had values that were American as well. “The wrong-doing of one generation lives into the successive ones (Hawthorne 14).” To me this means that they get another chance. America is the land of second chances. We also learn from our mistakes. We are free to do what we wish, and with being free comes mistakes.
The definition of American literature is “a body of written works produced in the English Language in the United States (American Literature).” The House of the Seven Gables is in many ways an American novel. The novel is set in Massachusetts during …show more content…

They share many different themes like, the supernatural, curses, etc. They even share a few themes that are not as easy to see. Both works are American, they tell and show the reader what it is like to be an American and live in America. Granted, the works do not come out and say it, you need to read between the lines. The House of the Seven Gables, shows us what it is like to chase the American dream. While The Witchcraft Trials show us the right to free speech, and also helped shape us into the America we are today. It does this by teaching a lesson, you learn from your mistakes and need a fair trial. Not only do the themes vary slightly, but the tone also varies. The House of the Seven Gables has a straightforward tone, which sometimes turns into a gloomy tone. “The Salem Witchcraft Trials” is varied, the articles are all different accounts. For the most part, the tone is straightforward, giving the reader the information

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