Compare And Contrast John Winthrop's Idea Of A City On A Hill

“...for wee must Consider that wee shall be as a Citty upon a Hill, the eies of all people are uppon us; soe that if wee shall deale falsely with our god in this worke wee have undertaken and soe cause him to withdrawe his present help from us…” Winthrop’s idea of “a City Upon a Hill,” was a model society for everyone else. It was based upon a good Christian foundation, of serving God, and no one being better than thy neighbor. America is nothing close, nor will it ever be close to John Winthrop’s idea of “a City upon a Hill”. The citizens of this Nation are so consumed in themselves, the nation is corrupt because of their selfish actions.
America will never become Winthrop’s idea of “a City Upon a Hill” because they turn their backs on each

other and even God. In Hughes poem, “I, too”, he states, “They send me to eat in the kitchen-When company comes” (Hughes 3-4). Due to the speaker being different, Hughes gives readers the illustration of the people turning their backs on the speaker. John Winthrop's “City Upon a Hill” was founded upon the idea of equality. No man was better than another, and everyone helped everyone. It is the exact opposite in Hughes poem. In today’s America there are examples of people turning their backs on each other almost anywhere that you look. A prime example of this is the civil war, where it was brother fighting against brother, simply due to matter of opinion. America has also turned their backs on God, with an example of this being in the school system. The people of “City Upon a Hill,” knew that if they turned their back on God, then the city would perish. It is evident in today’s America that we are in a declining state, and it is only going to continue to get worse and worse if the citizens of America continue to turn their backs on each other and God.
In Keith Basso’s “Shades,” he illustrates the selfish nature of man, which contrasts Winthrop’s idea of “a City Upon a Hill.” In paragraph three Basso discusses how the native family refuses to share their corn with their own relatives.

He states, “Their relatives begged them but still they refused to share it” (Basso 24). The selfishness of the natives caused them to be put in a disastrous state, unlike the people of Winthrop’s “example city,” who helped each other when they in need, and did not look at one person as better than another. The people of America today are too consumed within themselves and only care about what they can do to increase their rank or reputation. This mindset is only causing America to split and crumble, due to everyone fighting for their selfish wants. America will never be like “City Upon a Hill,” due to the selfishness of Americans alone. Unless citizens were to begin helping each other instead of looking down on one another, then America will never be anything close to Winthrop’s perfect

city.
Throughout “The World Made Straight,” Rash gives his readers many examples of the corruptness of this nation, which is tearing it apart. In the novel, Sheriff Crockett does not arrest Carlton Toomey on any occasions. Crockett is actually being supplied with pills by Toomey, and does not once try to arrest Toomey, because he is so corrupt. The world will never even possibly be perfect due to the corruption of the government officials, and everyone having a “every man for himself” mentality. This corruption is found right in Swain County. Most drug offenders can be back on the streets within just a few days, or hours even, with no one fighting to keep them in jail. It is also the same in the world. Foreign citizens can get into our country without anyone knowing, are caring for that matter. In “The World Made Straight,” there is symbolism of people having an every man for himself attitude. Characters with this attitude include Crockett, the Toomeys, and Travis. Drugs are the symbol. Most of the characters mentioned in the book had some tie to drugs. Pills were being sold as a means of income, so that people could try to increase their monetary rank, thinking that it would better their overall outlook in life. Everyone had a survival mentality because no one had any respect for anyone else. Travis was caught up in this corruptness and had to live with a survival mentality just to make it in the world.
America will never be unified as one, and this evidence can be found in the article, “Era ends as South Carolina lowers Confederate Flag.” As supporters and non-supporters gather to watch the flag being lowered, it is very evident that no compromise will be made.

The article shows that America will never come together as one because everyone is always going to have their own opinion on a matter, making the nation divided. The confederate flag is a symbol of heritage. It was used by the confederate army during the civil war. There are two sides. The supporters and non-supporters of the flag coming down. The supporters were believed the flag to be a symbol of racism and gathered in great numbers, ready tof see the flag come down. The non-supporters were smaller in number but believed the flag to be an important part of history, that their ancestors had fought for. Neither side was willing to make a compromise. Personal opinions such as these will not allow the nation to become unified as one, which is only another reason why America will never be like “City Upon a

Hill.”
Due to the selfishness of Americans, America will never be anything close Winthrop’s “City Upon a Hill.” If Americans were to stand together and practice the same practices that the Puritans practiced in Winthrop’s perfect city, then America would prosper. But the selfish mentality of Americans will prevent that from ever happening. America could be like Winthrop’s city, but sadly will only become a worse and worse place to live. The selfishness, corruptness and survival mentality of Americans is preventing America from being “a City Upon a Hill,” and it always will.