LEADER 04158nam 2200805 a 450 001 9910345143703321 005 20250424201237.0 010 $a9786612157486 010 $a9781282157484 010 $a1282157485 010 $a9781400827022 010 $a1400827027 024 7 $a10.1515/9781400827022 035 $a(CKB)2430000000035630 035 $a(EBL)457946 035 $a(OCoLC)438653499 035 $a(SSID)ssj0000102282 035 $a(PQKBManifestationID)11113577 035 $a(PQKBTitleCode)TC0000102282 035 $a(PQKBWorkID)10049898 035 $a(PQKB)10800644 035 $a(SSID)ssj0000386515 035 $a(PQKBManifestationID)12118671 035 $a(PQKBTitleCode)TC0000386515 035 $a(PQKBWorkID)10389228 035 $a(PQKB)11139551 035 $a(MdBmJHUP)muse36272 035 $a(DE-B1597)446438 035 $a(OCoLC)979910694 035 $a(DE-B1597)9781400827022 035 $a(Au-PeEL)EBL457946 035 $a(CaPaEBR)ebr10312610 035 $a(CaONFJC)MIL215748 035 $a(Perlego)734389 035 $a(MiAaPQ)EBC457946 035 $a(EXLCZ)992430000000035630 100 $a20050630d2006 uy 0 101 0 $aeng 135 $aur|n|---||||| 181 $ctxt 182 $cc 183 $acr 200 10$aAmerican mythos $ewhy our best efforts to be a better nation fall short /$fRobert Wuthnow 205 $aCourse Book 210 $aPrinceton $cPrinceton University Press$dc2006 215 $a1 online resource (297 p.) 300 $aDescription based upon print version of record. 311 08$a9780691138558 311 08$a0691138559 311 08$a9780691125046 311 08$a069112504X 320 $aIncludes bibliographical references (p. [263]-276) and index. 327 $aDeep culture and democratic renewal -- Quandaries of individualism -- The justice of privilege -- Self-made men and women -- In America, all religions are true -- Ethnic ties that bind (loosely) -- Saving ourselves from materialism -- Venues for reflective democracy. 330 $aAmerica was built on stories: tales of grateful immigrants arriving at Ellis Island, Horatio Alger-style transformations, self-made men, and the Protestant work ethic. In this new book, renowned sociologist Robert Wuthnow examines these most American of stories--narratives about individualism, immigration, success, religion, and ethnicity--through the eyes of recent immigrants. In doing so, he demonstrates how the "American mythos" has both legitimized American society and prevented it from fully realizing its ideals. This magisterial work is a reflection and meditation on the national consciousness. It details how Americans have traditionally relied on narratives to address what it means to be strong, morally responsible individuals and to explain why some people are more successful than others--in short, to help us make sense of our lives. But it argues that these narratives have done little to help us confront new challenges. We pass laws to end racial discrimination, yet lack the resolve to create a more equitable society. We welcome the idea of pluralism in religion and values, yet we are shaken by the difficulties immigration presents. We champion prosperity for all, but live in a country where families are still experiencing homelessness. American Mythos aptly documents this disconnect between the stories we tell and the reality we face. Examining how cultural narratives may not, and often do not, reflect the reality of today's society, it challenges readers to become more reflective about what it means to live up to the American ideal. 606 $aSocial values$zUnited States 606 $aSocial ethics$zUnited States 606 $aImmigrants$zUnited States 607 $aUnited States$xMoral conditions 615 0$aSocial values 615 0$aSocial ethics 615 0$aImmigrants 676 $a303.3/72/0973 700 $aWuthnow$b Robert$0882687 801 0$bMiAaPQ 801 1$bMiAaPQ 801 2$bMiAaPQ 906 $aBOOK 912 $a9910345143703321 996 $aAmerican mythos$92473729 997 $aUNINA