Interviews

Eric Vanderhaar
age:38

Q: How have you lived the American dream?

A: Unlike many others, I am living my American dream because I have a job that makes me happy. I here a lot of my peers complain about their jobs and they just seem like miserable people. I am so blessed that every time I work I enjoy it! I am happy that I can support my family and give them the life I didn't get to have.

Charissa Thompson
age: 34

Q: How have you lived the American dream?

A: I have gotten to pursue the American dream by getting to fulfill a modeling and acting career. Since I can remember I desired to be a model, matter of fact almost every girl does. When living in Los Angeles and New York I got to make my dreams come true, which is amazing, because unfortunately not many people are able to live their dreams .

Alecia Bell
age: 30

Q: How have you lived the American dream?

A: I think the American dream is ideal, having a nice house, husband, and car. Many people think of the American dream as a perfect life, my life is none the less than perfect, but I am defiantly happy. I am so blessed to have a wonderful family and an amazing husband, but I still need to get that car though!

REVOLUTION PERIOD

Essential Question: People often use propaganda to achieve their idea of the American dream, and will persevere through endless obstacles in order to reach their political goals.

Patrick Henry

Reflection: I admire Henry's desire to stand up for what he believes in. He knows that he came to this country to get freedom from Britain. In his speech you can see his passion for separating ties with Britain. He is trying to get other American citizens to join him and start a revolutionary war. Henry uses propaganda to get others to follow the political goals that he sees fit for America. His persuasiveness caused him to succeed in his mission, by getting the American people to follow him. This ultimately led to the Revolutionary War against Britain. Knowing that the American's won the war and got to live their lives free from Britain’s watch, shows that Patrick Henry was right and the effect his speech had on our country.

He uses Logos by expressing his strong opinions, and when he exposes the government for the mistakes they have committed by not breaking ties with Britain. He backs up his reasons for his opinions and persuades his audience to agree with them. Paine uses the ethos strategy by expressing his patriotism for this country in the beginning of the diary, the audience is persuaded to agree with his reasoning for breaking ties with Britain because he seems like a trustworthy person. When saying that he loves this country more than anyone else it makes the reader believe he would only want whats best for the country. He uses pathos by showing emotions towards his agrument, he even implies that if he doesn't get his freedom then he would wish death upon himself.


Dear Diary,

I do not believe people understand why we came to America. What was the point of sacrificing our lives to come here if were still tied to the place we escaped from? I want to be free from Britain and be able to live in a country that isn’t under another countries control. If America doesn't escape from Britain soon, we will never be able to run our country the way we choose. I'm trying to get other citizens to realize the faster we get away from Britain the faster we will achieve the freedom we have been longing for. I'm anticipating for the day to come, I gave up so much to come to this country and I will get to live my American Dream. I'm not giving up on something I worked so hard to achieve!

Thomas Paine

Reflection:

The Crisis was made to show American's that they had a duty to revolt against Britain. Paine clearly states his reasoning for wanting to part with Britain, and while reading his diaries I find myself agreeing with him. Paine uses logos when he expresses his opinions and has theories to back them up. He shows intelligence by using this logic because he makes the reader believe he knows what he is talking about. In his speech Paine uses ethos by his word choice, he makes the reader feel as if he is a trustworthy person and would never want to do harm to America. This also helps him pursue his audience into agreeing with his strategy. Pathos are expressed in Thomas Paine's speech when he connects his ideas with emotion. By reading the speech you can tell he really cares about America escaping from Britain.


Dear Diary,

It is at utmost urgency for the United States of America to escape from Britain while we can! The longer we obey their rules the longer their getting what they want, which is to control us. I wish the US would open their eyes and see the reality of the situation. If we don't take up for ourselves soon we will just be dug further into this situation. We came to this country for a reason and it wasn't to follow after the country we left! A war against Britain is the only way to give our citizens the life they came here to live!




* MY AMERICAN DREAM: I am going to fulfill my American dream by never allowing myself to give up. I am going to achieve my goals in life, which are to go to college and to find a job that makes me happy. To me goals are dreams, but only the wisest achieve their dreams, because everyone else doesn't keep trying. Determination is the key to achieving what you want in life and if you have that quality I believe the world is in your hands. During the Revolution Period everyone had a dream and certain politcal leaders such as Henry and Paine made sure that the country would keep them.