A Century of Change, by Brittny

A Century of Change
In Washington Irving’s Rip Van Winkle, the title character is shown a world that he does not know – one that has seemingly changed completely overnight. As any society does, the small village that was Rip’s home has made progressions and changes with the times. Everything from houses he sees to the type of government in place has become something else. A person, having fallen asleep at the dawn of the twentieth century and waking up in today’s America would be in complete cultural and political shock upon observing his newfound surroundings.
The first staggering sight for a Rip Van Winkle of this time would be a lack of familiarity. Cities, buildings, and people have all both disappeared as well as risen up. Upon walking into his village, Rip immediately noticed that “as he approached the village, he met a number of people, but none whom he knew, which somewhat surprised him, for he had thought himself acquainted with every one in the country round” (962). One major cultural difference between the America of today and that of the early 1900s is how society is structured in general. One would be surprised to discover children of every race going to school together and receiving the same education or to see interracial couples walk hand-in-hand down the street. Another cultural change in the last century is what is considered “American culture” itself. Like Rip Van Winkle, a newly awakened “old-timer” would probably be confused (and quite possibly concerned) about the condition in which he found people as he observed this new America: “Their dress, too, was of a different fashion from that to which he was accustomed” (962). The styles of twenty-first century youth – hip-hop, grunge, Emo, and prep – are surely polar opposites of the more classic looks of a century ago.
The political change in America would indeed stop someone from 1909 in their tracks. Like Rip Van Winkle announcing his British loyalty (“’Alas! gentlemen,’ cried Rip, somewhat dismayed, ‘I am a poor quiet man, a native of the place, and a loyal subject of the king, God bless him!’” (963)), a native of the twentieth century might proudly boast being a Republican. Whereas being in the party of Lincoln may have been popular one hundred years ago, it is probably safer to boast being a Democrat in today’s political society. More so than he would witnessing racial equality in America, an old stranger would be blown away to find a respected black man holding the office of President. Certainly, if this old stranger were himself an African American, he would be relieved to no longer be under the tyranny of racism and its politics. Irving writes that Rip Van Winkle learned that “instead of being a subject of his Majesty, George III, he was now a free citizen of the United States” (964). Likewise, an African American native stranger would find that is now a free citizen, no longer a subject to hatred, discrimination and Jim Crow laws.
If a person living in America in 1909 were to have fallen asleep and woken again today, he would probably think he had woken up in a different country altogether or maybe even a different world. With advances in technology, healthcare, and social equality, this person would definitely feel like a stranger in twenty-first century America. Change is something that has become a necessary goal in the United States; something that Americans look forward to and view as inevitable. In thinking about the changes that have occurred in the past century, one can’t help but to wonder what it would be like to fall asleep today and wake up one hundred years from now.

Work Cited
Irving, Washington. Rip Van Winkle. The Norton Anthology of American Literature. Ed. Nina Bayum. 7th ed. Vol. A New York: Norton, 2007. 951-965.

100 Years Later By Travis

Though the values and dreams of the American people as a whole, has not changed, America 100 years ago is a far cry from the America today. If someone were to sleep for 100 years and wake up today they would have a hard time absorbing all the changes ranging from technological changes to political and even environmental changes. One of the most significant changes in today’s America is equality among people, disregarding issues such as race, sex, religion, sexual orientation and disabilities. A hundred years ago, just the thought of America having a black president would have brought laughter and scorn upon anyone who mentioned such an absurd thought. However, the laws of the land today allows for equality among people and these laws being enforced has either willingly or unwillingly forced people to be more acceptable of others. This in turn allows everyone equal opportunity to contribute towards the development of the American society. The technological advances made since a century ago would astonish anyone who lived in the eighteen hundreds. The weapons and defense mechanisms that was available a century ago where seen as the best, and most likely hard to acquire. However, in today’s America high tech guns and other weapons are just as available as car parts. This ability to easily acquire sufficient weapons is a far cry from the older days. As Pontiac elaborates in Speech at Detroit "…use the bows and arrows, and the stone pointed-laces which they used? You bought guns, knives, kettles and blankets”. (440) America is an every progressing society that will continue to grow and achieve new feats as time progresses. Though these changes don’t happen in leaps and bounds at a time, when examined over time periods such as decades and centuries, the changes are noticeable and often prove that the seemingly impossible is possible. Work Cited Pontiac." Speech at Detroit." Norton Anthology of American Literature.Ed. Nina Baym. Vol. A. New York: Norton, 2007. 439-40.

A Hundred Years Difference By: Sarah

In Washington Irving’s short story, “Rip Van Winkle”, the title character falls asleep under a tree in the woods for twenty years. As humorous a tale it is, however, it makes one wonder what changes a person of one hundred years ago from today would find surprising. Of all the many changes our country has seen in the last hundred years, by far the most unexpected for someone of the past would be the social and technological changes we have made.

The social changes in America in the last hundred years would surely astound someone waking up from a hundred year slumber. Listing these changes would not only be monotonous but also frivolous. Anyone familiar with American history would be able to do so and most likely would be able to do it in the blink of an eye. But many of these changes, while surprising might have been pretty predictable to one of a hundred years past. One thing that has changed socially that would have been unpredictable is America’s new found fascination with all things “celebrity”. Go to any grocery store and the magazine racks are filled with personal information on all the big names in Hollywood. Turn on the television at any given time of day and you will find a channel solely dedicated to celebrity gossip. Even the local news channel will have at least one story pertaining to celebrity news. This particular social change would most definitely be surprising but also disturbing to one from the past. Irving briefly describes this type of social change when he illustrates Winkle’s conformation to his new society, “It was some time before he could get into the regular track of gossip, or could comprehend the strange events that had taken place during his torpor (964).” This quotation leads the reader to believe after a while Winkle was able to understand and take part in his new society and the gossip that went with it. This type of evolution in a person would be likely for someone who was only asleep for twenty years but nearly impossible if one had been asleep for a hundred years waking up to modern society. It is hard to imagine a person from a hundred years past would awaken and suddenly care what Bradgelina are doing or feel the need to model the latest fashion based on what Victoria Beckham is wearing. “Celebrity” would not have been defined in the same way a hundred years ago. However, a person like this would be waking up to their own brand of celebrity so caring about things like this would be the last thing on their mind.

The technological changes we have made in the last hundred years would also be mind boggling to a person of the past. However, like the social changes it would be the obsession we have with technology that would be most surprising. Since the invention of the computer our society has grown dependent upon it. Computers are all around us and are incorporated in most of our daily routines. For a person from a hundred years ago computers would not be a conceivable idea. While the computer would be an intriguing gadget it would be the internet and our addiction to it that would be in comprehendible to a person of the past. They would wonder what happened to our family values. They would not understand how spending hours at a time in front of the computer could compute to spending time with family. Winkle’s twenty year slumber cannot compare to the devastation that would go with waking up from a hundred year siesta as Irving illustrates, “Having nothing to do at home, and being arrived at that happy age when a man can do nothing with impunity, he took his place once more on the bench at the inn door (964).” It does not seem that Winkle had to deal with anything as detrimental as one would now; he was able to take up right where he left off. The computer alone would be intriguing but to someone of the past it would not be near as endearing as it is to us nowadays. The internet is vast with knowledge and shared data; but this would somehow not be as impressive as one might think to someone from a hundred years ago. They would be depressed at the deterioration of relationships due to this distraction.

In conclusion, it would be devastating for someone from a hundred years ago to wake up in our society. While there would be many changes, it would be the social and technological changes and the way we have handled them that would be most devastating. While it would seem these changes have made life easier and therefore better otherwise known as modern conveniences it would be viewed by one from a hundred years past as laziness. The advancements alone would have a wow factor for someone of the past but what these advancements have done to our humanity would not be appreciated.

Works Cited

Irving, Washington. "Rip Van Winkle." Norton Anthology of American Literature.Ed. Nina Baym. Vol. B. New York: Norton, 2007. 954-965

Gender Stereotypes In Today Society

“Rip Van Winkle” is a well loved American Short Story by Washington Irving. Much of the humor in the story is derived from the stereotypes about male and female relationships. Surprisingly, there are these stereotypes that persist even until today. Arguably enough much has changed with regards to women’s roles in the home, as well as in their respective careers in our modern world. However, it is still an enduring stereotype that women, or wives for that matter are over-bearing, and most often than not, nagging and demanding when it comes to the ‘obligations’ that the husband, or the father, being the head of the family, is supposed to perform.

This stereotype is still portrayed in local media, by way of television series where women are portrayed as a “termagant wives” that nagging, overbearing and to a point, henpecking their husbands. In the story, Rip is one of those men “who are under the discipline of shrews at home” (954), and his wife is constantly “dinning in his ears about his idleness, his carelessness” (955). The stereotype of how men, in the opinion of women, are wasting time with useless frivolities such as sitting down for fishing, which translate into today’s modern world, where women detest how their men would sit and be glued in front of their television set to watch their favorite game, with a bottle in hand, and no intention whatsoever to do the household chores.

The stereotype of the man still remains, as the one who’d do ‘manly’ works, such as the repairing of fences, carpentry, masonry, plumbing, and even farm work. Even if such male dominated ‘work’ or ‘professions’ are now easily accessible and open for the opposite sex, there is not much significant change in this, as men are still supposed to be in control or have the ‘higher right’ to engage in such masculine professions or field of work. When we look at the top of society today we see most important ‘professions’, like rulers, presidents, prime ministers, and CEOs of major corporations, are mostly belong to men. The stereotypes that men dominate everything, and society is set up for men are still exist today.

There is also stereotype of men tend to enjoy activities that are done in large groups more than women. In the short story, Rip enjoys socializing and helping his neighbors more than socializing with his wife and doing his own, family duty, business. He is a “great favorite” and is possessed of “universal popularity” (955). Everybody in the village loves him. Rip likes to attend “a kind of perpetual club of sages, philosophers, and other idle personages of the village” (956), where he gets pleasure from sitting long afternoon in the shades and telling “endless sleepy stories about nothing” (956). Today in the modern world, there are many things that men do and enjoy more than women: team sports, politics, large corporations and so forth.

Even with many changes in the role of women and men over time, there are many gender stereotypes still exist in society today. Masculine and feminine images that are portrayed in media also project their own psychological mystiques. As we grow up, our culture influences us through these images, usually without us realizing it. These beliefs are so ingrained in our consciousness that many of us think that gender roles are natural, so we don't question them. Even if we don't consciously subscribe to them as part of our own belief system, our culture bombards us with messages about what it means to be men and women today.

Work Cited

Irving, Washington. "Rip Van Winkle." Norton Anthology of American Literature.Ed. Nina Baym. Vol. B. New York: Norton, 2007. 954-965.

Saving for the Future: The End of the Road of Wealth, by Paul

In these times of economic uncertainty, many people are concerned for the future. Corporate executives sigh on the way to the Capitol as they read dismal earnings reports and prepare to beg the represented public for infusions of cash to save their failing industries. Home buyers trapped by skyrocketing ARMs have found themselves turned out of their homes despite years of timely payments, having lost their ability to meet their obligations only recently. As the unemployment figures grow and our government attempts a response to the crisis, many would do well to remember the fundamental philosophy of sacrifice and frugality behind Benjamin Franklin's "The Way to Wealth."

There have been many iterations of the idea that the love of money is the root of all evil. There is ample evidence in these times of gross ostentation that an abundance of money can blacken names and reputations. As Americans trustingly gave over their retirement investments to speculators and financial managers, those same managers lost sight of the principles that motivated people to save their money. With the vast fortune at their command, these "Masters of the Universe" invested without regard for the risk, except insofar as higher risk investments yielded greater potential rewards. The great frugality and industry of working Americans amassed this fortune, the abandonment of those principles has led to its ruin.

It is vital for individuals interested in attaining wealth to become concerned with the management of their money. This was true before the credit markets froze and is even more true now that the false promises of easy money have borne out their truths. Advertising services press consumers hard with the idea that purchasing their products will improve the quality of living, however, "tis easier to suppress the first desire, than to satisfy all that follow it" (455). Automobiles are fine things for traveling great distances but often people will use them for trifling distances of a mile or five, distances they could have easily walked to their health's greater benefit while simultaneously saving the money they would have otherwise (by extension) burned up in the gas tank.

Many Americans still believe in these notions of frugality and industry although many are now learning of these virtues through harder means than was strictly necessary. Easy credit lured many into abandoning frugality for luxury, doing so at the expense of liberty (455-456). Luxury homes and cars, designer clothes and jewels, private jets and gold plated toilets: "of what use is this pride of appearance, for which so much is risked and so much is suffered? It cannot promote health, or ease pain; it makes no increase of merit in the person, it creates envy, it hastens misfortune." Although a Lexus is a nice looking car, it is hardly a filling entree when the larder is empty.

The underlying theme of Franklin's advice is simple, but easy to miss in the glare of wealth. Live simply, sacrifice, and above all, remember that "Gain may be temporary and uncertain, but ever while you live, expense is constant and certain" (456). The natural consequence of living is death; we know our bodies are doomed to certain decay and that our ability to be industrious is only temporary. The pursuit of wealth therefore is in light of this information, a wise storing up against the harder days that lie in the twilight of our years when we are unable to work any longer. The need to be useful rather than a burden on our families and communities is what drives the honest pursuit of wealth.

Works Cited
Franklin, Benjamin. "The Way to Wealth." The Norton Anthology of American Literature Vol. A. 7th ed. New York: Norton and Company, 2007. 451-457.

ENG 231 BLOG

Ashley
Instructor Bingham
ENG 231
11 February 2009
A View on a New Life
The works of many great writers of the time of the New World questioned society. Many authors, such as Benjamin Franklin, commented on the status of the American life and the thought process of such people. In Franklin’s work “To Those Who Would Remove America”, he regards the manner in which foreigners coming into America viewed the people and their lifestyles of luxury, or so it appeared. Just as in the world today, Franklin demonstrates the highly glorious appeal that America portrays to outsiders despite the fact that America actually bestows both advantages and disadvantages for its people like any other nation.
Those coming to America and the New World will never fully fulfill their expectations of achieving a better life despite the advantages that many European settlers seemed to think that Americans claimed. Franklin moves to say that “these are all wild imaginations” (463) and that America is merely a “general happy mediocrity that prevails” (463). There is nothing special about America, he claims. There will be no “freebies” given out to individuals nor does the lifestyle reflect that of high society. Everyone is simply middle class and mediocre in their living, unlike how it was expected to be in America. He also claims that all individuals taking residence here must learn to work and that “strangers indeed are by no means excluded from exercising those professions” (463). On employment, he comments that there are “no superfluous ones, as in Europe” (464). This implies that everyone in this New World maintains the same level of opportunity and influence in their work environment, unlike European tradition once again. In addition, America is known as the “land of labor” (465) to many settlers at this time. However, this notion did not guarantee them a permanent job or rewards from the government for establishing a home here in the U.S.A. Franklin comments that “[one] must work and be industrious to live” if no fortunes were brought over to this New World. Concluding, Franklin ultimately warns new settlers about the reliability of the predominant ideals that they held towards America and its advantages. In saying that many things are different from the lifestyle in England, he urges the new settlers against coming to America, afraid of what to expect.
Some advantages for those who come to America are also expressed in Benjamin Franklin’s selection “To Those Who Would Remove to America”. In stating that the land is “not likely occupied” (465), this encourages new settlers to establish life in this environment. He states that, despite little government assistance and rewards, some opportunities still exist for foreigners, such as the likelihood of free land and property to own. In addition, “the good will of their neighbors and good credit” (465) will assist with the land and the cost of daily living. Franklin comments that certain jobs, such as artisans, workmen, and cultivators are in high demand in such a new environment. He claims that many have began poor and “become respectable citizens” through these crafts, encouraging new settlers to establish employment in such a growing field of work here in America. Also, describing a sense of hard work and ability to reason about the American people allows Franklin to support the advantages of this New World. In saying that “many may encounter prosperity among the effort that they are taught” (465), he establishes the meaning of working hard and then becoming rewarded for individual time and energy. In describing both the disadvantages of this New World as well as the advantages given to those who choose to settle here, it is apparent that new settlers must maintain a strong work ethic in order to succeed in a world where there are no levels of influence, control or differences among individuals and where those who prosper are the same individuals that stepped up to make a better life for themselves in the first place by taking that chance to come to America.
This faith in America portrayed by outsiders is not unique to Benjamin Franklin’s writing of “To those who would remove America”. Many individuals across the world today display these same ideas as they risk everything to live in America where everyone is equal and people have freedom of expression. However, Franklin’s idea that America is not always as perfect and glorious as it seems still captures the essence of the nation today despite the fact that many applaud the country’s efforts and lifestyle from the outside. Franklin’s second idea relates to the ability to work hard and be reasonable in decision-making and in life. Today, this can be applied in the sense that many Americans who experience this nations benefits often times are able to make better sense of what is around them and achieve more by realizing the importance of maintaining a clear mind in their thinking. However, as a nation of primarily workers, the U.S.A. also recognizes the importance of work and contribution to something larger. Therefore, Franklin’s short passage that highlights both some of the disadvantages as well as advantages to new settlers coming to America for the first time and still impacts the way in which outsiders see America as well as how Americans see themselves even in today’s society.




Works Cited
Franklin, Benjamin. “The Autobiography”. The Norton Anthology of American Literature. Ed. Nina Baynum. 7th ed. Vol. B. New York: Norton, 2007. 463-465.

Relocation Candidates for America

Over the course of Benjamin Franklin's life he played many roles. For part of his life he operated a press, another part owned and operated a library, and for yet another he served as a liaison of the America's to European nations. Operating somewhat in this capacity he published a piece of work which identified candidates for relocation to America. This piece was called "Information to Those Who would Remove to America". In this piece, as the title suggests, Benjamin Franklin identifies candidates for relocation, as well as dispels some myths that he feels are prevalent over seas.

Benjamin Franklin suggests that those who have the most to gain from moving to America are skilled workers, members of the middle and lower class in Europe. Anyone that has a skill to offer, be it as a stone worker, builder, blacksmith, printer, or any other trade, would be most welcome, and most likely do quite well in America. Franklin says, "The truth is, that though there are in that country few people so miserable as the poor of Europe, there are also very few that in Europe would be called rich; it is rather a general happy mediocrity that prevails" (463). This statement is an indication of his belief that in America there is a greater balance amongst the people born from a sense of community, and a desire to work towards the common good, much more so than in Europe. In his opinion a hierarchy exists in Europe that divides people based on the name of their family and their wealth, rather than their qualities as human beings and their ability to contribute to a society.

In this piece he also discourages men and women of aristocracy from moving to America. He feels that people who are self important will not fair well in the new land. While they might be permitted within Europe to live off of others who work their land for them, in America what they will find is the ability for others to purchase land of their own, and work that land, no longer having a need for the noble, those with namesakes. These people would not be able to cross the ocean and take up luxurious posts in government and politics as they seem readily able to do within Europe either. He suggests this when he says, "strangers of birth must be greatly respected, and of course obtain the best of those offices, which will make all their fortunes" (463).

The real tone of this piece is that opportunities about in America, and those seeking to earn an honest buck will surely find it here. During Franklin's time this was likely true. Land at the time was very affordable, and as he indicates, competition was not so great as to prevent a tradesmen from opening up shop in fear of being put out of business by a rival. These things that were true in his time are no longer true today. One need only turn on the news to see evidence of this. The employment rate in our nation is greater than it has been in decades. It is no longer true that people work together in the name of the greater good. The only greater good that people seem to care about anymore is their bottom line; how much money can they make. The very ideals that this country was founded upon seem to have been lost. The promises made by great leaders and intellects of the past, all but forgotten.

Works Cited
Franklin, Benjamin. "Those Who would Remove to America". The Norton Anthology of American Literature. Ed. Nina Bayum. 7th ed. Vol. B. New York: Norton, 2007.

American Realism

American Realism
It comes as no surprise that American culture has experienced dramatic change in many aspects of life over the past centuries, all ranging from social acceptance of certain topics to religious practices. Despite these economic, political and social adjustments, most Americans do still hold certain values true and place great importance and acceptance to such ideals. This includes the theory of hard work, work ethic and faith in such experiences. Drawing similarity to older American customs, these customs still presume of high standard in today’s society. In Benjamin Franklin’s work, The Autobiography, he establishes a clear faith in the value of hard work and reason and the positive experiences that abound as a direct result, just as Americans still hold true even in today’s changing society; Americans show such faith through their work ethic and cognitive thinking in various settings.
In today’s ever-changing society, Americans still draw comparison to the old tactics of early settlers in that they maintain positive work reinforces that allow them to be productive and stable members of society. Using full-time employees as an example, it is clear to see the connection between the settlers’ of Franklins’ time to the Americans of today’s’ culture. Such employees put constant faith in the hopes that their studious work habits will result in positive and desired outcomes. These citizens work with increasing amounts of determination, passion and commitment, obviously showcasing their faith in such positive outcomes as direct results of their hard work and continuity. Americans have not lost their faith in such tactics as hard work and reasoning, they just simply need some positive guidance and reinforcements. In his work, Franklin develops “thirteen names of virtues all that at the time occur’d to me as necessary or desirable”, of which, he elaborates on the importance and evident reality of hard work and realism in societal norms (526). Through the constant work ethic, commitment and passion that radiates from many work environments in today’s’ society, it is evident that Americans still hold faith in all of their practices, or else they would not be completing them with such skill and fervor.
While Americans still hold realistic viewpoints and goals and do not envision ‘false’ fantasies concerning outcomes for situations, they do still place strong emphasis on their work habits producing desired outcomes in life. The citizens of Franklin’s time claimed that critical thinking skills along with realistic tendencies to cohesively state that through reason and hard work, all problems can be solved. This statement still provides basis for the reasoning of today’s society; Americans realistically realize, more so in today’s’ culture, that not every problem can be solved by a simple ‘switch’, but through various commitments and determination, a simple solution can be reached effectively. Americans consistently use their reasoning and logic skills to come to the cohesive understanding that hard work results in positive outcomes for all those involved, just as Franklin held true to belief. After his bright realization on this topic, Franklin states, “I soon found the advantage of this change in my manners. The conversations I engaged in went on more pleasantly” (533). While remaining realistic and optimistic, Americans place great emphasis on the value of their hard work and the faith that they display in regards to such an issue.
Through logical conclusion, continued faith and societal examples, it is clear that the American’s of today’s’ society draw much similarity with Franklin in regards to solutions that may arise. Whether it is in the workplace, at home, or in the church, Americans evidently still hold faith in work ethic as of high importance. Each day, Americans constantly work diligently in various settings with continued faith that their hard work and reasoning skills will eventually ‘pay off’ and they will be rewarded greatly. Citizens of the twenty-first century are not un-realistic, they are quite aware of the difficulties and unpredictability of today’s’ culture, yet, they still believe in various older methods, such as hard work and the benefits that such commitment has on individuals. If this faith was absent in today’s’ society, it would be quite evident because citizens would lie around their homes all day, lazily waiting for a ‘miracle’ instead of possessing the faith and high hopes that they do in regards to their individual contribution to society.





Works Cited
Franklin, Benjamin. The Autobiography. The Norton Anthology of American Literature. Ed. Nina Bayum. 7th ed. Vol. B. New York: Norton, 2007. 472-586.