Creative Writing

Mimicked from My Antonia’s Chapter XII

THE FOLLOWING WEEK had brought a chill, and by Thanksgiving Day the whole world about us was glazed with white frost, and the creek that once trickled between our house and the ones behind now remained still as if to calm itself from the summer long run. The earth was cold and lifeless, with nothing more to give but a satisfying crunch beneath the feet of those who carried on with their everyday lives despite nature’s rest.
On one of these crisp afternoons I agreed to take Antonia home with me from school to help with her English. It was the first time Antonia had been to my house, and she made it more evident with every revered step. She walked about carefully, examining each small detail of our moderately decorated dwelling. It took a few moments before I could attain her attention, which I instantly regretted. When she turned to look at me she did so with an angry accusing tone, her hair still partially in her face from the violent pirouette. She said with her brown eyes still shining through the dark veil: “Why you have so many things when my family have nothing?” I remained frozen in my new place against the kitchen counter.
After a long pause Antonia opened up into a sorrowful outburst of tears: “How not you help my papi and mami and brother?” I searched my mind forever for the right words to say, but I thought it weak of myself to consider giving her my things. If I really wanted to help, I would continue to work with her on her English so that one day she might provide for her own family.
We had settled down at the dining room table and opened our books. Although Antonia had always been eager to learn our language today she seemed elsewhere, and it wasn’t long before I realized I was doing most of the work on my own. She continued with her pitiful grievances more subtly now. “My mami so sad these days. She never cook like she used to. She say the people she work with are evil and don’t treat her good, so now when she come home she is too upset to make food. She hates it here.”
“You should be thankful you have what you do,” I interjected coldly. “Your family would be much worse off if they didn’t live off our taxpayers’ money.”
“You know nothing!” she responded fiercely. “We work twice as hard in Mexico to get half what you get! My family try to make living here in America but it’s not worth it, it’s no fair!”
“Then leave. Your mama’s job can be given to someone who appreciates the opportunity. We don’t need more of your kind taking all our jobs and money.”
It was at that moment when I heard the honking of her brother’s car in the driveway. Moments later I was left standing in the doorway watching Antonia and her brother pull away into the street in their poorly kept Audi. I told my father of the occurrence later that night at dinner, and told him how I wished they would never come around anymore.
My dad chuckled a bit between bights. “They aren’t bad people,” he said, now more seriously. “You just need to be more considerate of their position. You’re right to keep from giving in to their pleas, but think of how desperate you would act if we were ever in that predicament. It pains one to see their family suffer. Now go on and eat your food, I still want the flowerbeds worked some before it gets too dark.”

American Dream Interviews

Randal Purkaple-

What do you beleive our forefathers' intentions for America were?
"Exactly what they said, to be a government by the people and for the people... that was the intention."

Do you beleive those goals have been met?
"No. I think personal greed has bred corruption within our governmental system."

What does the "American Dream" mean to you?
"When I hear American Dream I think of freedom and equal opportunity."

Do you believe this dream has been achieved?
"Every time they pass a law, it's getting taken away. The government instead of protecting the people is growing to take control of the people. Socialism. They are creating a socilaistic society... so no."

How do you think immigrants coming to America think differently about this dream?
"Compared to where they're coming from they're probably alot more optimistic, and their views haven't been tainted because they haven't been here to see how things used to be. They have nothing to compare it to but from the countries they've come from."

What is success in America?
"Success in America... same as it is anywhere, health, hope, and happiness."

Do you beleive you have achieved this in your own life?
"Yes."

How so?
"Through my Christian faith. Good health because God still heals today, a relationship with God has taught me how to have a good relationship with my wife and children which has yielded happiness, and the joy of the Lord is my strength, so my hope is always in Him."


Martina Jonsson-

What do you believe the intentions for America were?
“Originally it was meant to be a melting pot of cultures, and it’s been a dream for a lot of families over the years for financial opportunities.”

Do you believe these goals have been met?
“Yes, but as the population is growing the resources are limited so Americans aren’t as accepting of new immigrants.”

What does the term “American Dream” mean to you?
“It should mean going from nothing to everything both in a social aspect and a financial aspect.”

Do you believe you have achieved this dream in your own life?
“Yes, my family is a perfect example as they came to the US in 1993, and since then we have done very well for ourselves.”


Lisa Purkaple-

What do you believe our forefathers’ intentions for America were?
“They wanted to join together…. ‘to form a more perfect union! (singing)’”

Do you believe those goals have been met?
“No. There’s still too much governmental control keeping people in poverty.”

What does the term “American Dream” mean to you?
“Being successful.”

What does success mean to you?
“Being able to accomplish and handle all things within your life.”

Have you achieved this dream in your own life?
“Yes.”

How so?
“By being in control of my life and having a family, that’s success for me, having a family. Being in control of my job through hard work, and the like.”