This paper is a critical review of William A. Owens's "The Stubborn Soil", an autobiography originally published in the mid-1960s, which chronicles the coming-of-age of the author in East Texas.
Abstract This paper explains that Owens makes clear from the beginning of his tale that his early life is a story of struggle, not simply about coming of age or intellectual development. The author points out that the story begins at the turn of the century, when travel to other places to see other sights and to learn about larger ideas is difficult because most transportation could only take place via horse or buggy. Only in his mind and his dreams can the young Owens travel to a better life. The paper relates that, when portraying rural American history, fictional literature often forgets or smooths over with sentimentality the notion of rural poverty in terms of sheer physical need and of providing young people with educational circumstances to better their lives.
From the Paper "Owens paints himself as frustrated as a child, development stultified by backbreaking demands and work, despite the fertility of his mind and his desire for betterment and schooling. This may be contrasted with common assumptions of childhood today, where physical labor is seen as lacking from the lives of young people, and physical exertion is seen as both character building and good for the developing mind and body. However, Owens? labor began not for his own good, but for his family's good and he originally worked not with the hope of bettering himself according to the American dream in a Horatio-Alger like fashion, but to simply exist from day to day."
Abstract This paper discusses the culture and values of the Amish. It specifically focuses on their culture of community and the ways in which it is at odds with much of American life and values. The paper discusses the beliefs and religion of the Amish, their view of education and their desire for separatism from 'the English' or non-Amish. The paper concludes that the Amish have become beloved by the society they spurn.
From the Paper "Separate, yet dwelling in the world in a practical fashion, is the hallmark of the Amish community. "As well as being modest, their clothing also separates them from the world," that is from others (Inge, 2007). The Amish do not serve in the military; because their sect is pacifist. However, they do not involve themselves in political causes like the anti-war movement, except when public matters affect the Amish community. They do not swear oaths because that would involve the community in the values of the world ("Beliefs of the Amish," 1996, Religious Tolerance.org. 1996). "They believe that the taking of photographs where someone is recognizable is forbidden by the Biblical prohibition against making any 'graven image'" ("The Amish and the plain people"1995, Pennsylvania Dutch Country). They speak their own dialect, the Pennsylvanian Dutch dialect when amongst themselves. They do not pay taxes, as they do not collect Social Security or other welfare benefits, as the Amish community takes care of its 'own.'"
Abstract This paper describes the Amish people and explains how their lifestyle is in stark contrast to that of most Americans. The writer explains why they refuse social security, health insurance, and the use of electricity. Amish children end their formal education, which includes religious education and practical homemaking or farming skills, at 8th grade and begin to work after about the age of thirteen. Amish baptism beliefs, weddings, funerals, and the practice of shunning, which is the term for expulsion from the Amish community, are also described. The paper concludes that the Amish faith is not one that many Americans can understand, and cites one of the Bible verses upon which the Amish have based their culture and way of life.
From the Paper "The Amish are quite different from today's "normal Americans." They dress in simple and self-made clothes and also forbid photography of themselves because they believe it leads to pride and threatens the importance of "community" by calling attention to individuals. All in all, the Amish way of life is vastly different and yet seemingly senseless from the modern American's way of life because of the simple fact that they use a different method of transportation, refuse to use electricity, the lack of a formal education, their different work habits, and their unusual religious services."
