Perception vs. Insight-Literature Analysis of American Immigration Essay Example

that the promises made about America are not true - he is not experiencing the land of opportunities for success as promised.

Richard's experience in America challenges the notion of the "American Dream" cherished by his parents. He becomes aware that his own dreams and encounters differ from what his parents had envisioned. Consequently, Richard yearns to escape his present predicament and seek a more favorable environment. Ultimately, he determines that he must discover an alternative way of life. In a letter addressed to his parents, Richard implores them to save him, articulating the anguish and suffering brought upon by his current situation (Frethorne 3).

"His experiences influence his decision to want to leave America. He incorporates his parents' perception of America and the experiences he has had to shape the knowledge he gains while in America. Mary Catherine Bateson's quote emphasizes the importance of extracting insights from our own experiences. In Frethorne's reading, Richard comes to the realization that America is not meeting his expectations. He synthesizes the knowledge passed down by his parents with his own personal experiences in America, leading him to make a decision. Richard is able to harmonize the past and present by juxtaposing his parents' perspective with his own, ultimately concluding that America does not align with societal beliefs."

John McElgun's "Annie Reilly" depicts the character gaining valuable insights during his initial days in America. One of his earliest encounters is a regretful one that he never wishes to repeat. The character fell victim to a swindle by an individual claiming to be an "intelligence agent." After wandering the streets, diligently scanning every sign and approaching numerous clothing stores for information, he

eventually found himself by the East River as night fell, feeling exhausted, despondent, and with no money left (McElgun 66). The character's past experiences in his homeland greatly influenced his decision to place trust in the "intelligence agent."

Drawing on his American experiences, James, the protagonist of "Annie Reilly," reflects on his past encounters and forms a decision that not everyone will deceive or mistreat him. Notably, when he encounters a stranger on the docks, James chooses to maintain his trust in others. After sharing his ordeal with the "intelligence agent," the stranger extends a helping hand and offers to assist James during his first night in America. Despite a negative experience, the main character remains steadfast in his belief and does not allow it to hinder his trust in the stranger.

According to McElgun, James felt much more at ease due to the agreeable, honest, and good-natured demeanor of the man (68-9). Unlike most individuals, James demonstrates a level of trust even after being deceived. Generally, strangers are not considered trustworthy. However, James' trust proves to be worthwhile in his situation.

"James discovered an important point during their conversation - his host, who worked at the docks, promised to help him find a job at the same place the next day (McElgun 69)." Ultimately, thanks to his trust in his host, James was able to secure a job and start a new life in America. Through a few simple experiences, McElgun's main character gains insight about the country. Bateson's quote can be related to James as he compares his knowledge of his old country with what he learns in America.

James had many positive experiences in

his old country, so he believes that America will provide him with even better experiences. He has faith that nobody in America will try to deceive him into losing all his money or trick him into thinking there are employment opportunities only to disappear later. America is known as a place where people can begin anew and have more fulfilling lives. Despite being swindled, James encounters a stranger and unlike most people, he is not hesitant to accept anything from this person.

In his story, Roger Wilkins discusses his decision to trust a stranger despite his past experiences. He reflects on the fact that he has had more positive encounters with people and believes that not everyone is out to harm him. By considering both his positive and negative experiences, he ultimately decides to have faith in the notion that positive experiences are more common. This deep understanding leads him to make a wise choice. Wilkins' narrative revolves around his process of assimilating into a society dominated by white individuals.

In his article "Confessions of a Blue-Chip Black," Wilkins discusses his journey of self-acceptance and the racial inequality he faced (Wilkins 131). He admits to feeling ashamed of his skin, his genes, and himself. However, these realizations and the anger they provoked ultimately led him towards a stronger sense of connection with other black individuals than he had ever experienced before. Living in a society that perpetuates the belief of black inferiority and blames them for all problems, Wilkins had to confront these prejudices as a young boy. This enabled him to gain valuable insights on how he should behave and gradually accept himself. Despite his

resentment towards the way he is treated, Wilkins ultimately decides to assimilate into American culture (131).

Wilkins chooses a less common route compared to other black individuals, focusing on the belief that each person has their own distinct way of perceiving things. Perception is an inherent trait that varies from one person to another. Our background, beliefs, values, family, friends, and education all contribute to shaping our perception of life events.

According to Bateson, our learning is a result of the interconnection between our experiences. All of our previous experiences influence our decision-making process. When faced with a challenging situation, individuals often rely on similar past experiences to guide their actions. Drawing upon past experiences helps in navigating and overcoming current obstacles.

Wilkins draws upon his childhood experiences to shape his future. These experiences contribute to his knowledge and provide him with insights. This idea aligns with Mary Catherine Bateson's quote and the readings discussed in class. Bateson suggests that individuals incorporate their own experiences as well as the experiences of others to gain a deeper understanding of their surroundings. Frethorne's "Letter to His Mother and Father" presents a character who undergoes a contrasting experience compared to the perceptions held by his parents regarding America. The character expresses discontent and a longing to return home.

Through his experiences, he comes to the realization that America is not as it seems. In McElgun's interpretation of "Annie Reilly," James blends the past and present to recognize that not all Americans will mistreat him. If James had trusted the unknown person, he could have secured employment. According to Wilkins's analysis, the main character utilizes his knowledge gained from experience to shape his

future. Experiences have the ability to modify or reinforce one's perspective on a concept.

The important thing is that we are willing to take our experiences, understand them, and learn from the insights we get from our experiences.

Works Cited

1. Frethorne, Richard. "Letter to His Mother and Father. Becoming Americans: Four Centuries of Immigrant Writing. Ed. Ilan Stavans. New York: Literacy Classics of the United States, 2009. 1-4. Print.
2. McElgun, John. "Annie Reilly." Becoming Americans: Four Centuries of Immigrant Writing. Ed.

The text contains information about the author, Ilan Stavans, the book "Confessions of a Blue-Chip Black" by Roger Wilkins, and details of its publication: New York: Literacy Classics of the United States, 2009, pages 63-69, and in print format.

Voices in Black and White: Writings on Race in America from Harper's Magazine, edited by Katharine Whittemore and Gerald Marzorati, was published in 1993 by Franklin Square Press. The book contains various articles on the topic of race in America. One particular section of the book spans pages 127 to 141.

Print.