Introduction
Our planet is inhabited with a great number of different people. Having chosen different places to live, they formed different groups with some common features. Peculiarities of the each group, or folk were determined by the environment where people lived. People of the North are severe and solid, people of the South are passionate and emotional. These differences made every nation unique and underlined its character. Great diversity makes our planet an interesting place to live.
Identity of a nation is the thing which should be boasted and treated very carefully as it is contains the whole history of the folk. America is a unique phenomenon among other lands. Its history witnessed the great people migration and culture interchange. However, due to these facts and strong bond with its roots America managed to save its unique identity, having made it even richer.
Being inhabited with Indian tribes from the earliest moments of its history, American land has taken a lot from them. Great love for nature, realization of your place in this world, connection with the roots and ancestors and unique love for native land are the factors which determine American identity.
American Identity
It cannot be doubted that Indian tribes influenced greatly the formation of the American identity. That is why it is possible to speak about inherited deep and respectful perception of environment and nature. Native Americans used to deify natural events, treating them in the proper way. In the book The Norton Anthology of American Literature the chapter form the book Black Elk Speaks is given.
In contains the words of Oglala Lakota man, which can prove Indians’ great love for nature “I looked below me where the earth was silent in a sick green light, and saw the hills look up afraid and the grasses on the hills and all the animals” (Baym and Levine 30). His understanding of nature as one of the main treasures of this world came from his upbringing and it became the part of American identity.
Another thing which is peculiar for it is great respect to ancestors and to the land where they lived In the same chapter, written from the Black Elks words the author also stresses the great respect for wisdom and experience of ancestors. “Your Grandfathers all over the world are having council, and they have called you here to teach you” (Baym and Levine 27).
The phrase which reflects the whole understanding of relations between generations peculiar to Americans. The Grandfathers are the wisest men and their knowledge is unlimited. Their pieces of advice should be followed.
In American identity great respect for old people is instilled since early childhood. Great love for native land is an obvious result of this great respect. Nothing can be worse than to lose your Motherland, place where a great number of your ancestors were born and died, the place which is filled with their knowledge and power.
Conclusion
Having analyzed the great history of American people, its great cultural heritage and peculiarities of its development it is possible to conclude that there are some main characteristics which give America its identity. Having descended from the Indian land, America has inherited its great love for nature and the careful attitude to it. Respect for ancestors and love for native land are also important characteristics. Many times in the history America proved it showing great patriotism which was not easy to break.
Works Cited
Baym, Nina, and Robert S. Levine. The Norton Anthology of American Literature. Eighth Edition. New York, London: W.W. Norton & Company. 2011. Print.