Times Change, People Don't

Every successive generation cleverly dubs themselves with a catchy phrase that they believe to be all encompassing to define themselves. As much as each generation would like to call themselves as unique, it is imperative to remember that they still embody traits from previous generations. Writings of the past help illustrate how people still act the same way as their predecessors did.

When the colonists and puritans arrived in the New World, they documented what they saw through essays, novels, and poems. A clear motif in all of these pieces of literature was their central belief: God. The range of writing depicting God was from gratefulness expressed by William Bradford to distrust and wickedness expressed by Jonathan Edwards. Regardless of the tone the authors used to describe God, they all attributed ultimate power and control to Him. Every action of these early people was done to please God.

Many people will say that those writings are now outdated, but the message they expressed are still central to many people’s beliefs today. It is common for most people to hear their parents say “Don’t do that! Somebody is watching!” Whether people believe in a higher power, or God, people still try to act in order to please someone else. This behavior of constantly trying to gain recognition and acknowledgement from others stems from the Puritan's beliefs. Even today, when people act altruistically they look to see what they can gain from their actions. When some people volunteer they try to gain recognition or adulation. There are very few people who act out of the goodness of their hearts. 

Even though times have changed, the people's behavior has not changed very much. People through time have valued the same morals. Every young generation wants to differentiate themselves, but in the end the way they act is parallel to their ancestors. 

Simplifying our Complex World

Stereotypes are hurtful generalizations but have the ability to reveal an underlying truth. Generalizations stem from observed behaviors and then are exaggerated to blanket a large group of people. It is important for people to understand where stereotypes originate, the significance of them, and how to transcend them. In Sherman Alexie's The Lone Ranger and Tonto Fistfight in Heaven Alexie cleverly intertwines humor and pain to underscore the effects stereotypes have on a person. 

Alexie's book is in and of itself alcohol soaked. Each story drips with the destructive consequences of intoxication among his people. All this was very personal for him, and so he was easily able to relate and write about it. Yet, when people would ask him if it was an autobiography, he would respond defiantly. "Fiction. That's what this book is." But, he too knew, it was far from fiction, it was reality. Alexie wanted people to believe that his tale was fiction because he did not want to advocate negative stereotypes of his own people. On the other hand, his book does show truth- ironically what the stereotypes are- and so it is similar to an autobiography. This is because Alexie still wants to recount and share his traumatic experiences. He wants people to know what he and his people endured but he is too ashamed to take ownership of the experiences.

During his early adulthood Alexie comes to terms with the stereotypes that follow him. With his long, dark hair he knows he looks like what the "white" man associates with danger. Once when he was at a 7-11 convenience store late at night, he knew the worker there had created an impression of him based on preconceived notions. When the worker turned around to fill his order, the fear of what Alexie could do to him while his back was turned struck him. He quickly turned around and asked a question he already knew the answer to. Alexie pointed this out, and the two laughed over what just transpired. The reader too, would find this situation amusing. It is interesting how Alexie knew that he is being discriminated against, but instead of reacting like a victim he becomes a martyr when he rises above the stereotypes.

According to the University Counseling Center at Notre Dame, people stereotype to simplify the world around them. It makes the complex world around us easier to understand. Since stereotypes are exaggerations of observed notions, some people believe their pervasiveness is not harmful. It is crucial for people to understand that stereotypes can be made for all groups of people, and all types of people. The best way to circumvent the pain is to acknowledge the root of the stereotype and accept it. It is not necessary to agree with the generalization, but rather be indifferent towards it. Each person has their own way of transcending their problems, and stereotyping is one of the problems that people must learn to overcome. 

Penniless yet Powerful Papa

A person need not be wealthy or highly successful to be powerful, rather they must simply be able to understand the wants of others. The impression the person leaves is indelible. For example, in The Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls, Rex Walls is able to wield the most respect without ever doing much for his family.

The amount of power an individual is able to wield is limitless. Yet, the abundance of power can only come from the obsequious followers. Rex Walls capitalizes on his family's hapless circumstances and assumes the role of patriarch of the family. Despite the paucity of income Rex brings home, the way his family views him does not change. He, with time, has led his family to believe his unsubstantiated 

statements of building a Glass Castle. This utopian dream continues to lead the family astray. Rex has created a deep desire for something that is family believes only he know how to accomplish. Thus, by being able to manipulate the family's emotions at whim, Rex holds all the power. He is the sole figure who is able to either stymie or facilitate their future dreams during their childhood.

Adolf Hitler, a deplorable and much abhorred person, was also able to wield immense power the same way Rex Walls did. He too, captured Germany's imagination during one of their worst economic depressions. With his eloquent speaking abilities Hitler presented to the German public the reason for their problems, and a simple way to "eradicate" them. The masses were drawn to the man and his ideas because he, like Rex, held the key to their bright futures.