American Identity
The first part of our readings witness the development of an identifiable American Identity. This assignment has two parts.
1. Establish what American Identity means to a writer at the end of your readings up to this point (Paine, Crevecoeur, Knight, Byrd, or Franklin – only);
2. Then, show how this writer builds on what has come before by examining analogues and correlatives to the ideas of earlier writers.
For example, you might illustrate what it means to be American according to Crevecoeur’s ideas at the end of the 18th century, then show how these ideas compare to two earlier writers such as Bradford and Winthrop (consider ideas of religion, freedom, community, or work).
In an essay, establish what American Identity means to a writer at the end of your readings up to this point (Paine, Crevecoeur, Knight, Byrd, or Franklin – only).
