Publication Date
1-1-1977
Document Type
Dissertation/Thesis
Degree Name
B.A. (Bachelor of Arts)
Legacy Department
Department of English
Abstract
In this increasingly self-conscious society almost everyone craves self-definition. One of the chief justifications for the study of purely American literature or American history assumes that Americans are fundamentally different from other peoples. Such an assumption is generally accepted as valid and never questioned very seriously. Consequently, there has been, since the first settlements began in the “New World” over 400 years ago, an attempt to characterize exactly what makes this American, this new person in relationship to the world, different from his European counterparts. The quest for the definition of an American character has involved many questions—What are Americans’ basic traits? How did we come to be the way we are? Has the character changed over time?
Recommended Citation
Secker, Anne, "Individualism and conformity : their development and influence on the American character" (1977). Honors Capstones. 665.
https://huskiecommons.lib.niu.edu/studentengagement-honorscapstones/665
Extent
46 pages
Language
eng
Publisher
Northern Illinois University
Rights Statement
In Copyright
Rights Statement 2
NIU theses are protected by copyright. They may be viewed from Huskie Commons for any purpose, but reproduction or distribution in any format is prohibited without the written permission of the authors.
Media Type
Text
Comments
Includes bibliographical references.