Tales of a New America
Tales of a New AmericaIn Tales of a New America by Robert Reich, the American society is broken down into four myths. The four myths are The Mob at the Gates, The Triumphant Individual, The Benevolent Community, and The Rot at the Top. The myths can be used to help us understand our past and help us predict our future. They also show us how our lives are controlled by politics. These myths break us down as individuals, our community, our leaders, and America as a whole. There are three different views to interpret each of these myths generic, liberal, and conservative.
The Mob at the Gates depicts America as the greatest society in the world. It states that we are surrounded by evil and that there is no better than us. It points out the problems with other countries and civilizations around the world and then compares them to us. It is stated in the book that The Mob at the Gates “depicts America as a beacon of light and virtue in a world of darkness, a small island of freedom and democracy in a perilous sea”. This states we are the only good in the world and we are surrounded by bad.
The Triumphant Individual shows that anyone can accomplish anything if they put their mind too it. This is an example of a self made man. This shows that someone that starts from nothing can make something out of himself or herself just as long as they are not afraid to work hard take the risks required. This method should lead a person to
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wealth, fame, and honor. It states that most of the honorable people from our past followed this route using Benjamin Franklin and Abe Lincoln as examples can prove that you are only what you make of yourself.
The Benevolent Community is a representation of the people of America working together for one common cause. “It is about Americans’ essential generosity and compassion toward those in need”. Without working together there would be now America today. The early settlers would have never survived if it was not for teamwork. In a past were this was not a problem then why do we have so many conflicts today? Martin Luther King stated that “I have a dream that every valley shall be exalted, every hill and mountain shall be made low”. This basically states that all barriers must be removed and we need to become one.
The Rot at the Top is about the distrust of the higher authorities and the leaders of our nation. This states that how can we look up upon, or trust someone that can’t even take care of himself or herself. This is basically an abuse of power that lets them believe that they are untouchable. When our leaders are immoral what does...
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