The reason why I decided to focus on this topic is simple: There are
innumerous images and concepts of America1, written down by an equally
uncountable number of writers from all around the world, also including
citizens of the United States themselves. Moreover, I tend to believe that
there is no other country in the world, which had inspired more authors to
deal with it in their literature. This might be a result of the well-known
picture of America as the land of unlimited opportunities, which spread
around people’s minds ever since the “New World” had been discovered in
1492.
As many people still regard America as the “promised land”, there
surely developed Images of this country, which might not always be true,
or at least not as positive as some dreamers might think. Therefore, I
decided to base my essay on the books of two quite critical authors, Paul
Watzlawick and Bill Bryson, who present America in a questioning way and
do not simply glorify its social, economical and political structures.
Nonetheless, both authors succeed in drawing a rather sympathetic Image
of America. This literary contrast encouraged me to compare both: authors
and novels, but most importantly, the development of their Images of
America.
Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)
- 1. INTRODUCTION
- 2. THE AUTHORS AND THEIR BACKGROUNDS
- 2.1. PAUL WATZLAWICK
- 2.2. BILL BRYSON
- 3. IMAGES OF AMERICA
- 3.1. THE EUROPEAN VIEW ON THE U.S.
- 3.1.1. Infrastructure
- 3.1.2. Everyday Life
- 3.2. THE RETURNEE
- 3.2.1. People and Lifestyle in America
- 3.2.2. Nature in America
- 4. COMPARISON
- 4.1 THE PEOPLE
- 4.2. THE INFRASTRUCTURE
- 4.3. THE "REAL" IMAGE OF AMERICA
- 5. REFERENCES
- 5.1. BOOKS
- 5.2. ONLINE SOURCES
Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)
This essay aims to compare and contrast the images of America presented by Paul Watzlawick and Bill Bryson in their respective works. It analyzes how their backgrounds and experiences shaped their perspectives, focusing on the differences between a European's initial encounter with American culture and a returnee's critical observation of their homeland. The essay explores the contrasting viewpoints presented by the authors, without reaching definitive conclusions about the "true" image of America.
- The European perspective on American culture and society.
- The contrasting viewpoints of a long-term resident (Watzlawick) and a returnee (Bryson).
- The influence of personal experiences on the formation of national images.
- Critical examination of American social, economic, and political structures.
- Comparison of cultural differences between Europe and the United States.
Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)
1. Introduction: This introductory chapter sets the stage for the essay by establishing the vast and varied existing portrayals of America in literature. It highlights the enduring perception of America as the "promised land" and introduces the two authors, Paul Watzlawick and Bill Bryson, whose critical yet sympathetic perspectives will form the core of the analysis. The chapter emphasizes the intention to compare both authors’ works, focusing on the development of their individual images of America.
2. The Authors and their Backgrounds: This chapter provides biographical details of Paul Watzlawick and Bill Bryson, highlighting their different backgrounds and experiences. It establishes Watzlawick's European upbringing and his later career in the United States, contrasting it with Bryson's American birth and his extended residence in Europe. These details provide the context for understanding their contrasting approaches to depicting America. The chapter highlights the importance of "Gebrauchsanweisung für Amerika" and "Notes from a Big Country" as central texts for the analysis.
3. Images of America: This chapter defines the concept of "image" as a mental construct shaped by individual experiences and external influences. It establishes the framework for analyzing the authors' depictions of America, emphasizing the focus on the development and context of their images rather than on assessing their truthfulness. The chapter introduces the distinction between a European's initial perspective (Watzlawick) and a returnee's perspective (Bryson) on American culture.
Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)
Images of America, Paul Watzlawick, Bill Bryson, European perspective, American culture, cultural comparison, national identity, returnee perspective, critical analysis, social commentary.
Frequently Asked Questions: A Comparative Analysis of American Images by Paul Watzlawick and Bill Bryson
What is the main focus of this essay?
This essay compares and contrasts the images of America presented by Paul Watzlawick and Bill Bryson in their respective works. It analyzes how their backgrounds and experiences shaped their perspectives, focusing on the differences between a European's initial encounter with American culture and a returnee's critical observation of their homeland.
Who are the authors discussed, and what are their backgrounds?
The essay focuses on Paul Watzlawick, a European who later lived in the United States, and Bill Bryson, an American who lived extensively in Europe. Their differing backgrounds and experiences provide contrasting viewpoints on America.
What are the key themes explored in the essay?
Key themes include the European perspective on American culture, the contrasting viewpoints of a long-term resident and a returnee, the influence of personal experiences on national images, a critical examination of American social, economic, and political structures, and a comparison of cultural differences between Europe and the United States.
What specific works by Watzlawick and Bryson are analyzed?
While not explicitly named in the provided preview, the analysis centers around works relevant to their experiences in and perspectives on America. The preview mentions the importance of "Gebrauchsanweisung für Amerika" and "Notes from a Big Country" as central texts.
How does the essay approach the concept of "image"?
The essay defines "image" as a mental construct shaped by individual experiences and external influences. It analyzes the authors' depictions of America, emphasizing the development and context of their images rather than assessing their absolute truthfulness.
What is the structure of the essay?
The essay is structured with an introduction, chapters on the authors' backgrounds, a chapter comparing their images of America, and a concluding section. It also includes a comprehensive table of contents, chapter summaries, and keywords.
What are the main points of comparison between Watzlawick's and Bryson's perspectives?
The essay compares their perspectives on various aspects of American life, including infrastructure, everyday life, people, and the natural environment. It highlights the differences between a newcomer's initial impressions and a returnee's more nuanced observations.
What is the overall conclusion of the essay?
The essay aims to compare and contrast viewpoints without definitively concluding on the "true" image of America. The focus is on understanding the development and influences shaping each author's perception.
What are some key words associated with this essay?
Keywords include Images of America, Paul Watzlawick, Bill Bryson, European perspective, American culture, cultural comparison, national identity, returnee perspective, critical analysis, and social commentary.
What is the intended audience of this essay?
The essay is intended for an academic audience interested in comparative cultural studies, American studies, and the analysis of national identity.
- Citation du texte
- Jennifer Dacqué (Auteur), 2009, The Insight And The Outsight , Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/147712
