Henry Womble
Mrs. Kegel
AP Language and Composition
March 1, 2016
Essay Problem #6 on Page 590- “How would Rose respond to Smith’s argument?”
Phyllis Rose and Joan Smith dive into their own unique views on American shopping. Phyllis Rose is an American writer that writes mainly on the great things about American consumerism and materials while Joan Smith, an English journalist, elaborates on the the true causes of malaise that shopping can create. Instead of complaining about materialistic Americans, Rose describes some great things about the consumer in America today. Rose describes how America has such a wide variety in what someone can buy. The vast amount of goods that is produced not only in America, but all over the world …show more content…
At the beginning of the piece, she explains about a book that she read gave the message that the collection of amounts of goods, in a way, can essentially be evil. She believes that Americans tend to be competitive in the way they collect items- who has the newest and coolest clothes, or cars, or house? Everyone desires the rich lifestyles filled with luxury. Some people want to buy items just because they want to or because it’ll improve of what they have currently, such as a which from a van to a SUV. People are also concerned with a certain look and how other people view them. Buying new and cool things are also used to make someone’s life more fun, enjoyable, and easy. Why shovel the big driveway when I can buy a snowblower? Or even better, pay someone to plow my driveway for …show more content…
In other words, it is becoming harder and harder to fulfil our growing interests for items. Many people think that money has the ability to fulfill all of their needs, but there are somethings that humans can’t buy that can give greater amounts of happiness. The phrase “the best things in life are free” support that it is difficult to buy things such as good health, good looks, confidence, charisma, etc. Smith tries hard to express that money cannot always buy happiness. Many people are perfectly content even if they are only providing the basic necessities in life for themselves. Many people are crazy rich and don’t know what to do with all of their money and are not truly happy either. She believes that the growing want for items is greatly based on the American culture. Smith believes that true happiness