Patriotism Essay Example For Students

Patriotism Essay Address before the Mens Club of the Prospect Street Congregational Church, Cambridge, Mass., June 7, 1898. There are moments in every mans life, in the life of every nation, when, under the excitement of passion, the simple truths which in common times are the foundation upon which the right order and conduct of life depend are apt to be forgotten and disregarded. I shall venture tonight to recall to you some of these commonplace truths, which in these days of war need more than ever to be kept in mind. There never was a land that better deserved the love of her people than America, for there never was a mother-country kinder to her children. Friends provide the safety and belonging even in times of war. People betray their country in their everyday actions, they deceive their employer, they lie to others, they cheat, and steal; but, one always thinks twice before betraying the trust of a friend. Shinji and Reiko remain loyal to what is important, their friends. Not only do Shinji and Reiko choose their friends over their country, they also find happiness in choosing each other rather than continuing in a world in which the two could not be together. This perfect union between the two illustrates something people search for everyday. Everyone is looking for his or her own Shinji or Reiko. This need to find a soul mate has spawned books, movies, songs, and plays. The boy meets girl scenario is a part of everyones life. In Patriotism, boy did meet girl, and this is a part of what makes this story universally appealing. People simply want someone with whom to share there lives. Finally, ones own personal freedom is more important that loyalty to ones family or country. This is probably the most egotistical of all choices a person makes. According to Abraham Maslows hierarchy of needs, satisfying the basic needs of ones self comes before even considering the needs of others. Shinji and Reiko are simply satisfying their need for personal freedom with their suicide. Anyone, given Shinji and Reikos situation, will act in the same way. Bibliography: .