Lancaster 1

Peter Lancaster English 1101 Elizabeth Hinnant 10/15/2013 A Nation's Monumental Worth Currency is one of the central aspects of the American way of life. Each bill's meaning has to be conveyed to all consumers. To express the message of presidential power, national power, and fiscal worth, in a different way, the genre has been shifted, from the five dollar bill, to a monument. This choice was made, because, while monuments typically express a different message, they also have to convey these messages to a wide range of viewers. Pulling these messages through the physical art of a monument allows the audience a deeper understanding of the intended meaning. While this may seem like an unusual way to express these specific ideas, this monument is able to convey these messages while shifting their meaning in significant ways. The material chosen was selected to mimic the color of U.S. currency. Copper will oxidize and reflect the color that this nation now associates with money. A shallow but needed visual connection between the two. America has taken it's tributes very seriously. Most monuments are larger than life, turning humans into something more. Choosing only the most influential political figures. While these men were fulcrums upon which history tilted, they were still humans. This monument doesn't lose sight of the human aspect of it all. At the center of this monument, the individual, symbolizing the president of the United States, stands six feet tall. A very human height. Americans are used to monuments that turn leaders into gods. With the Lincoln Memorial containing a sixteen foot tall, seated, President Lincoln, Jefferson standing at nineteen feet tall, in his own memorial, and Mount Rushmore presenting faces, sixty feet tall, it's easy to see why this monument looks like anything except what it is. Just as he is the center of our nation, the president of the United States is standing in the center
Comment [B2]: Its. This isnt possessive. Comment [B3]: Some of these sentences can work for emphasis but avoid using them too often as they sometimes just appear incomplete. Comment [B4]: Like who? Comment [B1]: Nice intro. You do a nice job of addressing both the original and recreated texts, and their connections, in a concise and formal manner.

Lancaster 2 of this monument. The most noticeable feature of the statue, representing our leader, is that it has no face. This keeps the figure from representing one individual and allows it to become a symbol of all presidents. It is also worth noting that he is standing behind a podium, marked with the presidential seal. This is used to reinforce that this individual is a representation of the president. The faceless presidential figure is an instant indicator that this monument is different, but the statues, around him, are what make it truly unique. A carpenter can be seen, to the left, putting finishing touches on the podium. The very symbol that confirms the president as the figure seen, in the center of this piece, is being created by an average American. Behind the president we see a seamstress measuring the president for the suit he's wearing. The combination of these figures in this specific setting have a very powerful message. The president, in a suit and behind a podium, is the epitome of how America pictures it's leader, but here we see the creation of this symbol. Not created by power or political clout, but by hardworking individuals. This monument shows that the office of president, that we see as powerful, is created and given power by us. This specific part of the monument is the expression of presidential power that is felt so strongly on the five dollar bill. Both express the presidents symbol and power as the center of our country. Both express that this individual is very important. The difference is how deep this meaning goes. While the five dollar bill shows only the president as a powerful figure, this monument gives us something deeper. The five dollar bill focuses on Abraham Lincoln, one specific president. This monument focuses on the office of president and any man or woman with that title. The five dollar bill tells us of importance. This monument tells us what is fueling that importance. As a people, Americans lend the fuel to this power. America's leader is one of us, but as a people Americans lift him up as something more. The power behind leaders is the people's choice to see them as more than a man. This monument is a tribute to the power of that choice, whereas the five dollar bill was a tribute to the result of that choice. Both, monuments to the power of our president. One showing the outside architecture, the other showing the internal support structure.
Comment [B8]: Good! Comment [B7]: Im not sure what youre trying to say here. Comment [B6]: Good. Nice connections in this paragraph. Comment [B5]: Nice added detail.

Lancaster 3 While the two figures are seen building the physical symbol that we associate with the president, many other figures are seen expressing a similar, but unique sentiment. A parent and child, looking toward the president, show that the meaning and importance of this power is passed from one generation to the next. Children are raised with an understanding that they choose who makes decisions for our nation. A choice is made to teach them that those positions are powerful. That this country is powerful. A soldier is seen protecting the president. Symbolizing an army of men that become something more than just men. They become a symbol of the nation itself. Soldiers make a choice to protect our nation with their lives. Again, power is granted to our nation and it's leaders through choices made by individual citizens. The five dollar bill expresses the power of our nation through many symbols, but all of those symbols are just writing on a piece of paper until a nation of individual decides that they are more. Separated into four distinct sections, the wall, surrounding the back half of the monument, is full of meaning.. The first section, to the left, shows a multitude of children. The second section shows adults of numerous professions. The third section shows adults voting and taking part in government. The final section shows life as an American. This mural reinforces the value we put into our country and all of it's parts, and shows true patriotism. The five dollar bill showed our countries power through symbols and a fiscal value. This wall has a deeper vision of patriotism. The first section shows an American generation being educated. Reinforcing the message of passing along our ideals to every generation. The second section depicts a multitude of Americans contributing in a profession that they have chosen. The third section shows individuals making choices through voting for or becoming our leaders. Finally, the last panel, shows Americans living a life of their choosing, made possible by the freedom we have. This is patriotism. A love for America through everyday actions. A reinforcement of this country's ideals through our participation in it's methods. Being a tribute to the strength of America's humanity, this monument has been placed in New York City. While Washington, D.C. is our official center, as a nations, the American people have
Comment [B11]: Havent you said all this already? Comment [B10]: How so? I think this would probably mean something different to everyone. Comment [B9]: This is an interesting notion. I think I see what youre getting at, but Id like to see you expand a bit more in this section.

Lancaster 4 chose a different center, without even realizing it. New York City is the capital of America's people. A center of business, entertainment, and culture. Many other nations even picture NYC when they think of America. It's in our films and pop culture. The city embodies the truth that fuels this monument. People, places, and things in every nation are given power through the choices of individuals. New York City is more than just a city. It has become the symbol of American culture. The five dollar bill expressed, very successfully, that our president is our center, that our country is powerful, and that we have value and power behind our currency. The monument successfully expresses all of those ideas in a much deeper way. Our president is our center, because American citizens put him there and honor his power. Our country is powerful because American citizens live their lives and contribute to the country everyday. And the currency is valuable and powerful because Americans honor it as a voucher of trade. It is powerful because it is a physical representation of the work the Americans do, every day.
Comment [B13]: Strong conclusion. Comment [B12]: Nice. I like this addition.

Peter, Overall, I think this is a strong draft. You make clear and distinct connections between the original text and the re-created one, and I think that your points of defense concerning the monument are predominantly well thought out and clear. However, I do think there are places that could use some clarification. Remember that phrases like the American life or the American way are going to mean something different to everyone, so you should focus on clarifying what it is that you mean by it. There are some other vague concepts floating around, too, and in revision Id really like to see you find tune your language and ideas as a whole. Nice work!