American Lit. Essay Exam 2

Were the founding fathers/mothers in fact, exceptional?

Depending on one's definition of 'exceptional,' I think it would still be fair to say that yes, they were exceptional. My English teacher senior year of high school once said that the American constitution has withstood the test of time longer than any other legal document. Those who composed the constitution, as well as the Declaration of Independence wrote these exceptional documents because they had exceptional ideas. Though in American History, the founding mothers/fathers tend to fade away as some sort of deities, further in depth reading of their work and autobiographies humbles them. This bumbling, however, does them justice. I was at first confused about Thomas Jefferson's "paradoxical views" of the Native Americans and the African Americans. His relations with Sally Hemming's are certainly a contradiction of his attitude towards blacks. For Jefferson to clearly state that, "All men are created equal," while also plainly stating in Notes ..."and proves that their inferiority is not the effect of their condition of life (in reference to blacks)," causes him to appear very hypocritical. This is confusing but nonetheless I find myself all most respecting Jefferson more for not necessarily wanting to act on the right notion personally, but putting personal desires aside to recognize what is morally right for the country. I also was impressed by the letters of Abigail Adams. Though it would appear that women were certainly suppressed during this colonial era, Abigail is one of many that did not sit quietly. Her request to John Adams regarding the rights of women in the new code of laws shows that all men (and women!) are created equal. The most exceptional attribute of these men and women were not their perfection, but rather their imperfection, and their ability to even still develop the exceptional ideas that have founded this country.

Discuss one of the writers whose work you admire.

I admire Thomas Paine because he accomplished the highest set goal of a writer- to get people to consider, to influence. Common Sense is an excellent piece of writing. It is not to difficult to read or interpret. The ideas in Common Sense are plainly stated and explained so rationally that they can not be doubted. He makes clear that America is only of instramental value to Great Britain through passeges such as, "We have boasted the protection of Great Britain, without considering that her motive was interest not attachment, and that she did not protect us from our enemies on our account, but from her enemies on her own account, from those who had no quarrel with us on any other account, and who will always be our enemies on the same account." This statement is great because not only does it show that Great Britain has no true altruistic value for America, but that also Great Britain is of no value at all to America. In fact, Paine points out very plainly that ties with Great Britain are only proving to be a burden. He makes other solid points such as when he points out that William the conqueror, the first king of England, was French. He makes a valid argument here when he makes it clear that everything has to start somewhere, and that if Great Britain really belives that it should have dominion over America, then by the same argument France is entitled to England. This piece of writing has been one of my favorites primarily for its simple yet effective langauge and I believe it had the strongest impact on colonists during the confusing times of the Revolutionary War.