Family Identity Essay

A persons identity is often considered a singularity that someone is born with, similar to physical traits such as eye color or face shape. In actuality, identity is not something that can be determined by a particular strand of DNA, instead it is something that must be formed throughout a sprightlinesstime. Thus, at birth, ones identity is a blank canvas, ready to absorb knowledge from its straightaway surroundings, more particularly family, as it is the first thing a fresh identity is exposed to. As evidenced by Grapes of Wrath, Abraham Lincoln, and The Great Gatsby, ones identity is primarily determined by his or her family.In Grapes of Wrath, the Joads identify themselves with their land, as farming is their only livelihood. Without land to farm, the Joadss way of life is entirely uprooted thus, they are strained to change their identities in order to survive. However, this identification with the land is not something each Joad is born with rather, it is a relationship that i s primarily influenced by family. Initially, Ruthie and Winifield, both still young children, do not understand the emotional impact of the Dustbowl on their family.However, as they watch their father, they begin to understand that his land is what makes him who he is, and without it, he is lost. At this point, Ruthie and Winifields new identities are starting to take shape as they, too, learn to love the land. Abraham Lincoln, a former president of the joined States, grew up in a small cabin to a pitiable family. He was able to attend school as a young son however, the educational system of his rural town in Kentucky put him at a disadvantage to many other politicians he competed against.When Lincolns find passed, he was left to be raised by only his father, whom he gradually became estranged from. However, these disadvantages that Lincoln faced made him the self-motivated and ambitious man he soon became. Had he been raised in a well-to-do family by attentive and loving parents, he would not have been nearly as compulsive and hardworking, as e very(prenominal)thing would have been spoon-fed to him. Thus, Lincolns family life was the one thing ultimately determined the man he was to become.Lincolns absentee father and poor economic situation gave him the will and ambition that allowed him o do great things in the world. In The Great Gatsby, in contrast to Abraham Lincoln, Daisy was born into an extremely smashed family. In such a family, Daisy hardly ever had the need to lift a finger, as everything was done for her. In addition, this wealth made Daisy a very desirable young woman thus, Daisy did not often have to work to gain anyones approval. Had she been raised in poor family, similar to Abraham Lincoln, Daisy would have been forced to sink or swim on her own, giving her more ambition to succeed.However, due to Daisys family life, she grew accustomed to a pampered life lifestyle in which everything was evidently handed to her, making her the self-obse ssed, materialistic, and lazy person she became. As evidenced by Grapes of Wrath, Abraham Lincoln, and The Great Gatsby, family is what primarily determines someones identity. Thus, identity is not some gene-determined trait that is formed prior to birth. It is something that takes shape in the early stages of ones life, forming accordingly to his or her environment.