Reflections+on+Americans+Helping+Americans

A strong part of the American character is the fact that Americans help out other Americans. Alexis de Tocqueville never used the world "altruism" in his book //Democracy in America// but it is what he meant. The American character is partly shaped by a strong sense of virtue and of helping others. Americans do help one another regardless of whether they realize they are doing so or not. We do not help other people because we have to or feel obliged, but because we are programed to do so. It is part of our mores as Americans. In Barbara Kingsolver's //The Bean Trees// and John Steinbeck's //The Grapes of Wrath,// Americans help others. These two American novels show directly how this concept that has been incorporated into our mores over time. The need to help has become a strong part of us, and it is something that has grown stronger over the generations. During times of need, Americans are there for one another. However, this sense of help is not limited to tough times. It is occurring all the time. As Sarah Wilson once said, "people needs- to help." This belief has carried on throughout generation to generation. American literature shows it and so does the behavior that is witnessed and exhibited every day. Everywhere you go, Americans will be more than willing to help. We do it because we feel this altruistic sense, but also because helping other people makes us feel good about ourselves. Regardless of the reasons behind the help, it is there. This help is needed, and it will continue to be given over time. I chose this part of the American character to be my first room because I feel that is one of America's strongest attributes. It is a characteristic that is not apparent in every nation, and it is something to be valued. The quotes that I have assembled and the pictures that I have chosen express this belief of Americans helping each other out. I feel that all of these items portray this valuable characteristic with a sense of humor, but also with an appreciation. The desire to help one another is present within us, and the wall of this museum shows it. The works that we have read this year and the discussions that we have had are expressed on this wall as one of our strongest and most important characteristics is portrayed. The American Dream- 