Reflection-p.3

When it comes to defining the individual another way to look at it is the people within our history or society who stand out. Individuals who represent an era, typify a role in society, stood for reform, or simply represent a piece of America culture. John F. Kennedy was a glorified leaded in our country. Although Kennedy's time in office was marred by the Cuban missile crisis, he still considered one of the greatest presidents in our history. He was built up to be this great and successful leader. So much so that he became one of the most celebrated presidents in our history. The quote by Kennedy was essentially saying a leader must be brave, which led to the discovery of Wallace Steven's //The Brave Man.// When one thinks of the stereotypical, angry, rebellious, teen people often think of J.D. Salinger's Holden Caulfield from //The Catcher in the Rye//. Holden represents the rebellious teen, convinced he can make it on his own. Holden thinks he's above all that surround and often look down upon others because they exhibit "phony" qualities. He tries his best to stay away from conformity, like most teens he is hoping to set himself apart from the crowd by expressing a unique piece of his character. Salinger created an icon who appears in many American movies, songs, and TV shows as either the rebellious teen or the slightly awkward character. Caulfield is just trying to grow up and find who he truly is along the way. Another type of icon is the American poet. Poets have the unique gift to be able to capture a broad array of themes that express the American spirit. Whitman does so in Leave of Grass, and Emily Dickinson and Anne Sexton accomplish the same spirit but in a strikingly diferent way in their poetry. American poetry can be majestic as in Whitman or deeply personal and introspective as with Dickinson and Sexton. Poetry itself is a very individualized form of expression. This is evident in the radically different styles of the various American poets we have read. Back