Fantasyland: How America Went Haywire: A 500-Year History

The book 10 Days That Unexpectedly Changed America written by Steven M. Gillon is a book written obviously about 10 days that most people would not expect to have changed American history. Steven M. Gillon is a resident historian of The History Channel as well as a professor of Modern US History at The University of Oklahoma. Not Only does he teach Mr. Gillon has also learned, earning his Ph.D. from Brown University. Steven M. Gillon has also written a numerous number of books, some of his recent books being; Pearl Harbor: FDR Leads the Nation to War (2011), The Kennedy Assassination--24 Hours After: Lyndon B. Johnson's Pivotal First Day as President (2010), The Pact: Bill Clinton, Newt Gingrich, and the Rivalry that Defined a Generation (2008), The American Paradox: A History of the United States Since 1945 (2006), and 10 Days That Unexpectedly Changed America (2006). 10 Days That Unexpectedly Changed America is a book that talks about many days, obviously that were critcal to US history, the time plot being from the late 1630s to late 1960s. This book was written based off a documentary about the same ten days. However, in Gillon’s book different reasoning is provided. Unfortunately for this book one cannot watch the documentary instead of reading the book and judge the book off the documentary.

My blood boiled. My face was a deep scarlet resembling fiery, bright lava. I looked at my sister. Her smug face made the bomb inside of me tick faster. Before I knew it, I felt a stinging impact; my hand leaving a distinctive red mark across her cheek. Not long after, I felt the same pain my sister had. I stared at my mother in shock. To this day, I still reflect over the irony of that one moment. My mom attempted to teach me not to hit my sister by striking me. However, this contradictious lesson was not practical. It did not fix my behavior; the only change was that I questioned my punishment. This applies to the broken system we have here in America. The death penalty is not only paradoxical, but it is a costly process that does succeed in deterring crimes. Capital punishment is not beneficial to our society.

According to the material, Americans are taught that their behaviors and choices made come from within themselves. This particular characteristic asserts the position of individualism. Individualism drives Americans to believing that there is uniqueness about themselves and their situation. The belief of emphasizing a human’s ability to choose is strengthened by American cultural narratives. This belief also leads to the fundamental narrative of American culture: Regeneration through regression.

Often heralded as the world’s greatest nation, the United States is also considered home to the world’s greatest authors. Reputable authors such as Fitzgerald, Twain, and Steinbeck remain relevant even through the washing waves of time. One such timeless author, Ray Bradbury, ventured the hazardous path of taboo to write of change. Through his novels of innocent youths evolving into children enlightened beyond their years, Bradbury utilizes the motif of time, innocence, and the philosophical movements of existentialism, transcendentalism, and romanticism to describe catastrophic events the American culture could face if existing destitute judgments continue to prevail. Ray Bradbury dared to reveal his voice.

The 1950’s was an intellectually impoverished time for experiences for Americans. With not only well-defined gender roles, but also: smoking was advertised, changes in the workplace were made, teen culture was changed, and the southern states enforced segregation laws. In Fahrenheit 451, author, Ray Bradbury, shows readers what could happen if people do not put down the technology and admire life.

By 1600, England’s feudal system was nearing extinction, as a new family (Tudor’s) came to power and wanted support from the middleclass and the establishment of new liberties for Englishman (i.e. trial by jury and no arrest without a warrant), which resulted in a large amount of local and self initiative to prosper in the community: yet many beggars now existed, culminating in an increased need for colonial expansion both for personal prosperity and more space for the existing population.

Over the past few weeks of class, we have covered the first five chapters of our textbook, written by George Brown Tindell and David Emory Shi called, “America, A Narrative History.” Each chapter told the reader a narration of the history of America, as opposed to an expository version of America’s history. Each chapter had its own main idea over a portion of history, along with many details that cover the importance of the main idea. As a reader, one may obtain a deeper appreciation for the country 's history, prior to entering the class on the first day. The most important aspect of history, besides the battles that are fought, is the different cultures that make up today’s modern America.

In 1992, Jean Murray Walker, in her essay, “High Fantasy, Rites of Passage and Cultural Value”, wrote that “children growing up in American Society experience everywhere around them the collision of powerful interests and values. Even though they may be nurtured within a family structure, chances are they are NOT indoctrinated into a clearly defined community of values.” (Walker 109) Instead, “materialism prevails, and popular fantasy - in which good (us!) prevails against evil (them!) - is standard fare.” However, Walker contends, and I agree, that “the best fantasy provides something more, and presents complex and clearly defined values, not vacant symbols of of the powerful versus the powerless.” (Walker,

Realism, in contrast to Romanticism, represents the reality of life in America. From the late 19th century to the early 20th century, America experienced enormous industrial, economic, social, and cultural change. Realism focuses on showing everyday activities and events among the middle and lower class society without romantic ideas. In the early 20th century people started to pull away from fantasy and started focusing on the reality around them. Realism emphasises on truth, class, and social commentary.

A Harsh Reality Check In the short story “American History”, the main character, Elena, is unhappy with her current life, so she spends her time fantasizing about a different life, obsessing over the new boy in town, and ignoring reality. When her dream life is destroyed after a harsh reality check from the new boy’s mom, Elena learns the most important lesson in the story from her heartbreak: to see the reality in life and make the most of it instead of dreaming about something that cannot happen. Elena is not satisfied with her current lifestyle in her run-down apartment in Paterson, New Jersey. She dreams of a more prestigious lifestyle that included “going to college to become a teacher” (Cofer 11).

The turbulent societal changes of the mid-20th Century have been documented in countless forms of literature, film and art. On the Road by Jack Kerouac was written and published at the outset of the counter-culture movement of the 1950s and 1960s. This novel provides a first-hand account of the beginnings of the Beat movement and acts as a harbinger for the major societal changes that would occur in the United States throughout the next two decades. On the contrary, Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas, a Hunter S. Thompson novel written in 1971 provides a commentary on American society at the end of the counter-culture movement. Thompson reflects on the whirlwind of political and social activism he experienced and how American society had

Americans through the years of existence have adapted well to the radical changes throughout the world. Technology, independence and social equality are some of the diverse concepts the United States have adapted to and developed in order to become a more unified country. Our nation believes that it is exceptional when it comes to other countries worldwide. As can be shown through the popular reference to America as the ‘shining city on a hill’. The term “American exceptionalism” is derived from ideals held by many Americans throughout history. Different people have analyzed American exceptionalism through multiple literary devices. Works such as A Model of Christian Charity, What is an American and Acres of Diamonds illustrate the

This essay will examine the rise of “modern America”, there were economic, religious, and aspect of life changes took place and it was greatly changed the Americans society’s perceptions, specifically, the north and the south. The rise of “modern America” was greatly motivated immigrants to come to the United States for economic opportunity, industrialization in the North after the civil war created new businesses and job regulations, and the demand for social changes; all of these factors shaped America socially, politically, and economically.

During early 20th century, American writers were influenced by the changing world of industrialization and globalization. The horrors and World War 1 and the invention of new technologies had people questioning the future of humanity. Writers and journalist used this time to voice their views and experiences during these troubling times. Henry Louis Mencken is well-known writer who had a powerful influence on America’s writing style during the 1920s. His writing style was known for it’s wit, and harsh criticism towards American social and cultural weaknesses. His essay “The Libido for the Ugly” sends the message to the reader that America needs to change its way of living because they are too content with their current ugly lifestyle.

Tindall, George Brown and Shi, David Emory. America: A Narrative History. Vol 2, 8th ed. WW Norton:New York, 2010.