Defining American Culture: Insights from John Adams' Letters

Culture is defined as the beliefs, customs, arts, etc., of a particular society, group, place, or time. What is American culture? Is it a grab bag of different cultures or something completely different? People within the American society have different ways of defining American culture. John Adams was the son of a farmer, who would become the second President of the United States. His wife, Abigail Adams was the daughter of a wealthy Congregational minister. In 1774, he was elected a delegate in the First Continental Congress and thus begun his journey away from his family. During his time away from his family, he wrote letters, to his wife about various matters. These letters from husband to wife and vice versa reveal characteristics of the

Franklin” divulges a characteristic that is highly prized in American Culture, individuality. He addresses this aspect when speaking of Dr. Franklin’s actions in Congress. “But has seemed to choose that the Congress should pursue their own Principles and sentiments and adopt their own Plans” (629). In this quote, Benjamin Franklin is encouraging individual thought and not suggesting that Congress conform to ideas. Thus, he supported the expression of each member of Congresses individuality. In modern society there are so many ways for a person to express their individuality; they are not limited to individual thought. Teenagers are a perfect example, they express their individuality through their clothes, hairstyles, the music they listen to, and the way they choose to modify their

This is proven in his letter, when he states, “Do my Friends think that I have been a Politician so long as to have lost all feelings? Do they suppose I have forgotten my Wife and Children?” (637) John Adams is concerned about the views of his friends and he believes that they have rejected him because they view him as a bad spouse and father. This concern for public opinion has expanded in modern society. During the months before the election, viewers are bombarded with propaganda via commercials. The politicians that are running make sure to find as much dirt on their opponent as possible. Commercials can expose infidelity, tax evasion, and so many other aspects of a politician’s private life. These politicians know that they can sway public opinion if they expose as many secrets about their opponents as possible. Not only politicians, but celebrities are very concerned about public opinion. Whenever a celebrity makes a blunder on twitter, television, or anything exposed by the paparazzi, the majority will make an