American Things

In reading the Butler piece, I couldn't help but notice a conflict between local and imported goods. The early colonists struggled between using local products and shipping in more elaborate things from England.   For example, "wealthy colonists bought fancy English furniture in an effort to affect English taste in reception rooms dining rooms, hallways, and bedrooms" (pg. 155). Similarly, wealthy Americans today purchase Italian sports cars or Persian rugs or French art. It is hard to understand why foreign products are so desired. American things are also reliable, elegant, and beautiful. It almost seems as if Americans are not proud of their own goods. Perhaps this is because Americans are so busy and do not take the time to put forth their best effort. Perhaps Americans assume that foreign merchandise is produced with more care. I'm not sure if this assumption is correct, but I don't think it's completely far fetched.

Inventory

In making a list of everything in my dorm room, I realized that I have way more things than I thought. A few big items on the list included a couch, a stereo system and record player, a carpet that fits the entire room and an additional rug, a television with a several gaming consoles, a mini-fridge, a window seat and an ottoman. I also found out that I have 68 t-shirts, 14 sweatshirts, 15 ties, and 11 pairs of jeans. I still can't believe that I own so many shirts! Moreover, my roommate and I discovered that we have 2 bottles of Febreeze, 2 wall mirrors, 10 frisbees, 18 posters and 4 boxes of Kleenex. Additionally, I have 8 pillows. It's hard to draw the line where consumerism becomes too excessive, but I think we have too much in my room. It's also interesting that all of the things in my room are somewhat comforting. Hopefully we can find the will power to stop shopping, because I honestly think that our room can't handle any more stuff!

Bambi

My friends and I watched Bambi yesterday afternoon, and I couldn't help but link it to AmCon and the topics we've been discussing lately. We have placed a large emphasis on the natural landscape and how it has impacted us as Americans. We have also analyzed how the country is important to our nation. The scenery in Bambi is absolutely beautiful and stirs in its viewers a desire to take a walk in the woods. The idea of simplicity and relaxation is so attractive to American citizens. It is not uncommon to wish to live in the countryside, without a worry, like Bambi. Still, we understand that there are jobs to do, people to help, and progress to make. I think that we should take more time to appreciate the natural landscape at St. Olaf and elsewhere and remember that is has greatly impacted the formation of the United States and the people who here.

American Mothers

It is true that women have represented America for many years. "Liberty" and "Freedom" and Pocahontas are some examples. Still, I have to wonder if the type of women that represented America still exist today. Obviously there are many different types of people and there are surely women that fit the traditional characteristics, but I think that motherhood and what that entails has changed dramatically in the United States. Rayna Green mentions in the Pocahontas Perplex that "the Indian woman began her symbolic, many-faceted life as a Mother figure - exotic, powerful, dangerous, and beautiful - and as a representative of American liberty and European classical virtue translated into New World terms" (pg. 19). These are admirable characteristics, but, in my opinion, fail to accurately describe American mothers. In general, there are two types of moms - the loving stay-at-home housewife, and the busy professional. Housewives tend to be nurturing and caring, not powerful and dangerous. Perhaps businesswomen are powerful, but only in a professional sense. I think that the women that once represented America are no longer accurate symbols.

Indian Americans

The Indian has always been a symbol of American freedom. Indians have been portrayed as savage, noble, nude and decorated. Therefore, most Americans have found some aspect of Indian culture with which they can identify. The national figure 'America' "was a nude woman warrior decorated with feathers and usually accompanied by an exotic-looking animal, a bow and arrow, and the odd severed limb nearby" (pg. 62 Democratic Models). This symbol was sophisticated with it's exotic animal, elegant bow and arrow, and ostentatious feathers. Yet, 'America' was also uncivilized, nude, and potentially a cannibal. Americans were  in the process of recreating themselves, so their representations were constantly changing. But one thing was constant, the importance of Indians. "As England became a them for colonists, Indians became an us." (pg. 22 Playing Indian) Indians have always and will forever represent America.

Plazas and Classrooms

The readings for the weekend were both very interesting. First, one idea that I had after reading Pueblo Style and Regional Architecture was why did the Puritans not build a plaza in their towns. The article explains that in European architecture, plazas are used to keep out unwanted sources. It seems clear to me that the Puritans were parochial and were not interested in adopting outside opinions. Why would their towns be more open, as opposed to fenced off? On a lighter note, after reading Understanding Ordinary Landscapes, I feel inclined to declare that I enjoy learning indoors. Not that the outdoors are not nice and beautiful, I just think think that the classroom aids in education. There many distractions outside (i.e. bugs), while the indoors allow students to focus and more efficiently and effectively master a subject matter. Even though AmCon is a course based largely on conversation, the classroom is the best place to have class, so that we can all hear each other. In summary, I think the Puritans should have had closed off plazas and I think that classrooms are great!

Historia de una Maestra

We are reading a book called "Historia de una Maestra" in my Spanish 250 class. The novel is essentially the life story of a teacher who lived during the reign of Francisco Franco. In the opening chapters of the text, Gabriela (the teacher) describes an isolated town in which she taught. The town reminded me of the Puritan communities that we have been studying in AmCon. This little "pueblo" is completely isolated (in this case by mountains), is run and organized by a few stern men, and is not supportive of the education of women. We discussed in class that Gabriela tries to change how the town looks upon education and tries to teach the children in new and innovative ways. Perhaps she can be paralleled to Anne Hutchinson, although she is not quite as smart and confident. I am looking forward to reading more!