Margaret Atwood is a recognized international author who has been given honorary degrees and awarded for her countless pieces of poetry, novels, fiction, non-fiction, and children’s books. She wrote “Letter to America” in the spring of 2003, in a response to America’s presence in Iraq. Written in a Canadian perspective, Margaret once felt an affinity to American culture, but now feels the Unites States is going “down the slippery slope.”
Margaret Atwood glamorizes her childhood of the people she became acquainted with, and fails to mention the problems America faced during the time period she grew into an adult. American culture has greatly impacted and changed the world from the music, political and heroic figures, authors, and actors and actresses they have embraced upon us.
Over the years, United States unfavorable choices have changed much of the world’s outlook on them as a country. “Letters to America,” shows the difficulty Margaret had writing this personal letter, since she once looked at the country in an admirable view. The main content of the story, shares views that many people feel. She writes “but I’ll take the plunge, because your business is no longer merely your business.” It almost seems she is writing to warn the United Sates of the disappointments we have felt with their actions, and how it directly affects Canada but we don’t have a choice since we are so tightly interrelated to them. Canada’s economy relies heavily on the United States on account of them being a big buyer of our products. We share a unique trading partnership with them, and since their sources are depleting faster then our own, a major concern is that they will take all of our natural resources.
Margaret Atwood states “people around the world will stop admiring the good things about you” to the Americans. They are headed in the wrong direction, and if they keep on causing more negative impacts then positive ones, the world will not look towards America as an influential and leading country in the future.
In order for America to head in the right direction, what will need to happen?
I think for America to change their current position, they need to evaluate what’s important. I responded to another blog with these similar thoughts. North America, as a whole, is focused on material things. The US more so than us but we do as well. To most, a car, a house, a big screen tv, a good paying job, and an ever-changing wardrobe depending on fashion is considered important. North America, either by not knowing or not caring, supports child labor because it saves their personal money or gives the more personal money.
ReplyDeleteThis is where lies the problem. The egocentric attitude. To make a real change, the USA has to look in at it’s own people and become passionate about working with and helping each other. They need to put a focus on families and friends and any relationship for that fact. To be friendly and fair with each other. I am not saying world peace. I am saying that everyone is a person and should be treated that way. The USA mentality seems to be bigger and better than YOU! It’s how many of the people feel good about themselves; “look how down and out so-and-so is. It really makes me appreciate what I have and makes me work hard so I am not in that situation.” Here’s a thought… how about helping that down and out person get to a stable position? Enable them to take control over their lives and better themselves? But wait, there’s no monetary compensation, only the good feeling knowing that you made a difference to someone. I think that only when the latter becomes important will the USA have a chance of rebuilding their legacy.
I liked some of the points you made.
I am very sure that most country that support and value America did the best that they can do to remind them about the consequences that will happen if they pursue their decision.I think America doesn't need anything or anybody to change.I am pretty sure they are intelligent enough to know what is right or wrong.It so happened that they chose the wrong path which is very disappointing for the rest of the world.
ReplyDeleteI think that in order for America to head in the right direction, they need to get their priorities straight. A main example is how much money and effort they have pumped into this war when it could be doing so much good elsewhere.
ReplyDeleteI like how many examples you used from 'Letter to America'.. it really helped get your point across.