Unbroken Research Paper

Angela Sanchez

Dr. Johnson

English B 1 AL – 33885

27 March 2024

America’s Individualistic Culture

American culture is influenced by pioneer individualists who survived on their own on harsh land. Self-reliance and independence have become a central aspect of American culture identity. This belief is kept alive in popular culture, from Hollywood Westerns to literature, which often romanticizes the pioneer experience and reinforces the idea of the individualist being seen as a hero figure. The book Unbroken, written by Laura Hillenbrand, is an example of this, it’s a captivating biography that explores the life of Louie Zamperini, an American World War II veteran and Olympic runner. A predominant theme explored in the book is individualism, …show more content…
From the early days of European exploration and settlement to the westward expansion of the United States in the 19th century. The frontier is a symbol of opportunity, freedom, and self-reliance. In the harsh environment of the frontier, individuals had to rely on their own resources to survive and there was no safety net and no one to bail you out if you failed. Which caused these individuals to have a spirit of independence and it has become a defining feature of the American society. In the article, Frontier Culture: The Roots and Persistence of Rugged Individualism in the United States, the author Samuel Bazzi states, “According to the influential historian Frederick Jackson Turner, the presence of a continually advancing frontier line at the edge of free land profoundly shaped American culture. The frontier cultivated individualism and antipathy to government intervention.” According to Bazzi, the frontier experience created a sense of self sufficiency among early American settlers, who were often forced to rely on their own resourcefulness. Whether it was building a shelter, hunting for food, or defending themselves against danger, they had to rely on themselves. This belief in self-sufficiency and independence has shaped American attitudes and it manifests in the emphasis on personal achievement and …show more content…
The protagonist, Elsa Wolcott, begins a journey of self-discovery. Set during the Great Depression in the 1930’s, Elsa must navigate the harsh realities of poverty, drought, and social disruption while also protecting her family. Elsa refuses to be defined by the limited beliefs of the time, and instead creates her own path. Elsa says, “I am not afraid to stand alone, to make my own choices and carve out my own path. I am a woman of the land, with a fierce determination that flows in my blood like the red dust of Texas. I will not be held back by societal expectations, or the limitations placed upon me by others. I am free to be who I am meant to be, to live my life on my own terms” (Hannah, 246). Through the character of Elsa Wolcott, the author Kristin Hannah, demonstrates the power of individualism and strength that comes from standing firm in one’s beliefs and values. In a world that often seeks to suppress individuals of a different gender and race, Elsa refuses to conform to these societal norms. A huge similarity between Elsa Wolcott and Louie Zamperini is their strong sense of individualism. Both Elsa and Louie show the power of American individualism by maintaining their sense of self while facing overwhelming challenges. In the last paragraph, collective and individualistic cultures were compared. We see through

Show More