Question

Read the "Thanksgiving a Personal History" by Jennifer New. What does the author struggle with as her perspective of thanksgiving changes? How do the external forces in her life cause internal conflict? What is the role of reflection in understanding the effect of changing circumstances?

Answer 1

She initially admits that she doesn't feel much toward Thanksgiving, but then progresses to reflecting on the unique memories from her childhood that stick out; she realizes that her perception of tradition was surrounded by a desire to explore and see more variation in the world, experience the new. As she grows older she sees the blatant consumerism and the beauty of 'togetherness' marred by expectations of spending lots of money. As she spends more time with friends and others, they begin to see differently how Thanksgiving can be viewed from multiple perspectives; as she then marries to a husband with a larger family, more diverse, she sees the dichotomy of willing to be in a group of people but also alone. Through reflection she realizes that she actually yearns for the solitude that her childhood Thanksgiving's brought her, and the quiet time with family.