The Symbolic Interactionist View Of Thanksgiving

As I begin to recollect past experiences and events growing up, Thanksgiving is the holiday that appears most meaningful. I choose to illuminate Thanksgiving because this is a time when family and friends would forget their worries and differences and collectively came together at grandmother’s house to partake of the Gullah dishes. Furthermore, it serves as a vehicle in stimulating family health and wellbeing, while passing on the identity of the family throughout generations. As I reminiscence, I can recall the air was bursting with love, hugs, laugher and kisses; a sight to behold. Grandmother’s house was small but no one seemed to care as it was inviting. Every area of the house was utilized from the kitchen to the narrow stairway that lead upstairs to the bedrooms. Children were outside playing working up an appetite although there was a chill in the air often going unnoticed, still we were bundled in our hats, coats and mittens. This was not a formal affair but we were all neatly dressed. The house was filled with distinct smells that was heavenly. Steam came from the kitchen as finishing touches were placed on meals. Watching my aunts sweat trying to maneuver in a tight kitchen hoping to avoid bumping into one another was hilarious, but I paid close attention for one day that would be me

As the holiday season is coming nearer each day, I found it appropriate to look further into the traditional Thanksgiving topic. I can only describe what my family does, my Puerto Rican and Caucasian family. As far as I can say, we are not necessarily traditional with our celebration of Thanksgiving. So I figured why not use this assignment as a way to further look into the holiday and how it is celebrated across America, this can mean anything from families celebrating it in their homes, to the retail shops of the country selling holiday/seasonal items to go along with the tradition. I would like to examine the traditions of thanksgiving.

Culturally Americans have accepted that Thanksgiving is a time for family to get together, so with greater emphasis being placed on social support and companionship the Thanksgiving holiday means even more (Solomon, 2013). Both our extended and nuclear family are part of that holiday, so videos like the one I selected drum up new excitement for the upcoming reunions. According to an article by The Food Channel, Thanksgiving for some goes hand in hand with family. There is an expectation of certain foods and an abundance of food. The video below is a snippet from a pastor’s sermon that was remixed. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Olu36QuHUWc

Addressing the family and friends thematic cluster, four authors conclude the importance of personal relationships. Though varied in their theses, tones, and styles, each article stresses that individuals quality of life can be positively affected by taking time for companions and relatives. Nancy Gibbs, writer of “The Magic of a Family Meal,” beautifully illustrates the benefits of eating with loved ones often, while “The Company Man” by Ellen Goodman demonstrates the negative effects of making one’s profession a priority over one’s personal life and relationships. Marion Winik in “What Are Friends For?” details the variety and opportunities one has to make friends throughout life. Best friends can persevere through hardships and distance as written in “Friends Forever” by Barbara Hagen. Analyzing these articles substantiated that family and friends are essential to a happy life.

The second truth about human nature in this book is that humans easily change, whether for the good or the bad. Different types of events can change a persons perspective on their views. When David went to war, he went from a highschool boy to someone who must become the best man he can be to survive. Penna also thought that David would only be gone a year and nothing would change, but throughout the book she realized everything would be different when he got back. Through this realization, she made new friends and got closer to her family.

Thanksgiving is the time to come to enjoy each other's company and eat good. Most of the time families watch football together and catch up with each other. Thanksgiving means showing thanks and appreciation to the ones that have been so good and loyal to them. Show their loved ones they are appreciated and that you love them.

The Thanksgiving story is taught in classrooms across America. It involves Pilgrims, Native Americans, and a feast. Most Americans observe this day as one of celebration. It is a gathering together of family, friends, and food. But not all people agree that this is the happiest day.

After all a truly intelligent mind could be playing video games or running around endlessly with your cousins playing your own football games and other sports. I followed this train of thought for many Thanksgivings, until the point when I realized that I did not have an inextinguishable amount of energy any more, and that I could not be part of that much physical activity without feeling as old as my father the next morning. So after weighing these problems, I realized that the men in my immediate family and I should really consider spending time with family members we do not see on a regular basis. I have never been particularly close with any one in my extended relation, so I figured what better way strengthen my relationship with my family than to share in this excellent tradition. (Stock)

My Thanksgiving is very different compared to the first Thanksgiving of 1621 in the food served, entertainment, and company. First off, the type of food served at the feast is different. For example, the food we use is store bought rather than the pilgrims who used wildlife that they had killed themselves. Next, they had different entertainment. Our entertainment consists of video games and talk about politics, while the pilgrims played simple outside games and complained about the winter soon to come.

In many households Thanksgiving centers around cooking and sharing a bountiful meal with friends and family while the holiday parades and football games play in the background. As a child growing up, Granny’s house was where the family gathered to celebrate Thanksgiving Day with a huge feast. Several family members had to travel from out of state to spend the holiday with family and friends. The kitchen was filled with people catching up on each other lives and getting the last-minute food dishes prepared while the younger kids watched the parades on the television. Most of the guys and even a few girls could be found outdoors, playing football while the older kids cheered them on.

Thanksgiving to me means family time and a chains to be thankful for all we have our family, our wonderful country, and all the things we are blessed to have. Every year we go to our Mimi’s and Papa’s for thanksgiving, it is my family, my Mimi and Papa, and my Uncle's family. As soon as you walk through the door you can smell the wonderful aroma of food, and when you walk into the kitchen you can see a table adorned with an abundant amount. Then we all gather around the table and pry as we thank god for all he has given use and then we get our plates so we can serve ourselves. While we are eating we have some comical conversations that makes us laugh, we also talk about what we have been doing.

While children are growing up in America, they are told several tales of America’s establishment and history. However, these stories are generally not told as they actually happened. An instance of this is the story of the Pilgrims and the first Thanksgiving. Thanksgiving is explained as this elaborate ceremony where the Pilgrims and Indians gathered in harmony at this large harvest in celebration of their coming together. According to the primary document of William Bradford’s journal, Thanksgiving didn’t pan out quite as it is explained to Americans today. In the film, The Addams Family Values, the Addams children take part in a traditional, yet misconceived celebration of the first Thanksgiving. This

Thanksgiving is a day to give thanks to your life and everyone and everything in it. Thanksgiving is thought of in different ways and is celebrated in unlike ways. Families have divergent meals, places that they visit on Thanksgiving, and activities that they enjoy taking part in on Thanksgiving. Overall, no matter what traditions there are, what meals you have, or the activities enjoyed on Thanksgiving, Thanksgiving is truly a wonderful holiday.

My family has always been very close. We spend a great deal of time together and express our deep feelings and emotions with one another. If one of us has an issue, every member of the family is aware of it and shares the burden. When a person in the family does not share significant information about one’s life with the rest of the members, there is hurt feelings. Also, if a member cannot attend a family event, the family feels disappointed and misses the absent member. It is evident that connectedness is held as extremely valuable.