Margaret Atwood’s “Letter to America” is written to a country that has lost their identity. Reading this letter I felt sad. It is as if she is speaking to a close friend who has become someone else, someone completely different from the person she once believed them to be. America has impacted her in so many ways and shared countless memories. Atwood is urging self reflection because the countries choices are destructive to themselves and also to the rest of the world.
In the first part of her letter, Atwood reminisces about what America used to be. This larger than life nation produced so many musical, literary, and big screen heroes. This country, birthplace of the sought after American dream, “stood up for freedom, honesty, and justice.”
Though Atwood is hesitant and feels embarrassed she goes on to let America know exactly what she thinks about the degradation of a country that was once supreme. She does not mince words when she writes “You’re gutting the constitution.” Freedom has turned into your private property being searched without permission. Honesty is becoming unrecognizable. When a nation has to wonder if what they are told by their leaders is actually true, something is wrong. It’s hard to see the justice in people being jailed or worse without any basis. America is drowning itself in debt and “torching” their economy.
To me, the best example that Atwood brings up is her suggestion that America could end up going the root of the USSR. It seems like a slap in the face to say that America could become the very thing they once hated and stood against.
In the last paragraph Atwood offers this forlorn country hope for redemption. She encourages America to remember what it used to stand for and to invoke the spirits of the heroes that shaped this country in such a positive way.
Has Canada lost its identity in any way?
I really like the point you've made about America potentially turning into the USSR. I thought that was a slap in the face when I read it too. But it does seem possible with the way America has been heading.
ReplyDeleteAs for Canada losin its identity..i'm sure every country has lost a bit of their identity but I dont feel Canada has lost as much as America has...
It's hard to say whether or not Canada has lost any of its identity. If we have it is only that we reneged on our "Peace-keeping nation" motto when we sent our troops into Afghanistan. This mission however has gradually been turned into a "Peace-keeping" one. So I don't know if we can say we lost anything really.
ReplyDeleteAlso as these dark economic times continue for the world. Canada has somehow come out nearly unscathed. So much so that we are now being looked upon internationally as an economic role model. Maybe you could say that we've even bolstered our identity.