Zitkala-Ša’s Short Story
Perseverance is one of the core qualities of American identity, generally referring to tenacity and determination in the face of hardships and failure. This characteristic is praised in the United States and reflected in a large number of fiction and non-fiction works. For example, “The Soft-Hearted Sioux” tells the story of a boy determined to find his own beliefs in this world despite being torn between his Native American parents and his faith in Christianity (Zitkala-Ša, 1921).
It is a heartbreaking narrative of the young man’s struggles and constant bad luck, yet he maintained his composure until the very end. “In his stern face, I laugh aloud. I do not fear death,” he exclaims before his end, showing the great strength of the character (Zitkala-Ša, 1921, para. 59). Ultimately, The Soft-Hearted Sioux is an excellent example of perseverance in a work of fiction, clearly praised by the author, Zitkala-Ša, and contemporary American society.
Frederick Douglass’s Speech
Another relevant example is the speech of Frederick Douglass – “What to the slave is the Fourth of July?“. At this point, in 1852, American society was still divided by the issue of slavery, and many Americans opposed the idea of upcoming reforms (Waxman, 2020). Despite their backlash, Douglass exposed the hypocrisy behind Independence Day, reflecting the perseverance of African Americans in a country that oppressed their rights.
This speech was so powerful, partially because Douglass was born into slavery himself, but he survived, taught himself to read, and was a critical figure in abolishing this inhumane practice (Waxman, 2020). Having experienced these struggles firsthand, his words of “mournful wails of millions” resonated with the public, especially African Americans (Waxman, 2020, para. 5). Both the speech and Douglass’s life are brilliant examples of perseverance, showing how determination can lead to positive change and disrupt oppression. Ultimately, the works described as fiction and non-fiction clearly show how and why perseverance is considered a central quality of American culture.
References
Waxman, O. B. (2020). ‘What to the slave is the Fourth of July?‘: The history of Frederick Douglass’ searing Independence Day oration. TIME.
Zitkala-Ša. (1921). The soft-hearted Sioux. American Indian Stories.