Bodnar’s work Remaking America immediately brought up the unique subject of integration. Through his work in the Midwest, the idea of integration takes a distinct appearance, focusing heavily upon the Scandinavian groups who emigrated there. These Scandinavian groups heavily focused upon their ancestors, with many celebrations focused upon the first generations. As these generations grew more distant from the first, celebrations slowly developed into a more general celebration, focusing upon the general idea of the pioneer rather than their direct descendants.
This idea of not simply focusing upon ones descendants shows an inclination towards being part of the norm. These people, as their families grew, slowly lost that deep connection compared to earlier generations. While this connection could be considered cultural loss, it could also be seen as gaining a new culture, one more associated with mainstream America’s. With this, public opinion essentially homogenized more, developing closer to that more stereotypical view of pioneer days.
With this kind of development, reader can connect this idea with ethnic groups in today’s world. One wonders if this melding of ideas and cultures continues, or will the old idea of the “melting pot” will fall apart as ethnic pride as well as racial pride seem to remain strong within some groups. All these things developed from the concept of the norm in society, and they will remain part of for the remained of American History.
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The concept of "generalization" appears multiple times in Bodnar's work. It takes different forms, but every example has new generations diverging from their ancestors in activities and meaning to form new meanings. While I agree that there is some homogeneity, I saw it more as each generation is creating their own idea of each memory, being further from the genesis. With every descendant, they re-invent the wheel, but a little differently.
ReplyDeleteI agree that each generation reinterprets the past, but I think Bodnar wants to say that the major tension lies not between generations, but rather between those in power (official) and those without (vernacular). I think he would argue that that discourse changes with each generation depending on broader contextual factors.
ReplyDeleteAnd I feel it was a combination of both generational tensions and between those in power. I agree with the generational argument because I think Bodnar highlights the point that these commemorations need to be made relative to new generations, not to change the story, but more so that they remember the story, but also so that they can relate to it. I agree with the power conflict as well, for similar reasons. The national commemorations need to reflect the identities in the present, without changing the story, but making sure all identities are included.
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