Use the link below to access the next essay. In and of Ourselves We Trust Last night I was driving from Harrisburg to Lewisburg, PA., a distance of about 80 miles. It was late, I was late, and if anyone asked me how fast I was driving, I’d have to plead the Fifth Amendment to avoid self-incrimination. At one point along an open highway, I came to a crossroads with a traffic light. I was alone on the road by now, but as I approached the light, it turned red, and I braked to a halt. I looked left, right, and behind me. Nothing. Not a car, no suggestion of headlights, but there I sat, waiting for the light to change, the only human being for at least a mile in any direction. I started wondering why I refused to run the light. I was not afraid of being arrested, because there was obviously no cop anywhere around and there certainly would have been no danger in going through it. Much later that night, after I’d met with a group in Lewisburg and had climbed into bed near midnight, the question of why I’d stopped for that light came back to me. I think I stopped because it’s part of a contract we all have with each other. It’s not only the law, but it’s an agreement we have, and we trust each other to honor it: We don’t go through red lights. Like most of us, I’m more apt to be restrained from doing something bad by the social convention that disapproves of it than by any law against it. It’s amazing that we ever trust each other to do the right thing, isn’t it? And we do, too. Trust is our first inclination. We have to make a deliberate decision to mistrust someone or to be suspicious or skeptical. It’s a darn good thing, too, because the whole structure of our society depends on mutual trust, not distrust. This whole thing we have going for us would fall apart if we didn’t trust each other most of the time. In Italy they have an awful time getting any money for the government because many people just plain don’t pay their income tax. Here, the Internal Revenue Service makes some gestures toward enforcing the law, but mostly they just have to trust that we’ll pay what we owe. There has often been talk of a tax revolt in this country, most recently among unemployed auto workers in Michigan, and our government pretty much admits that if there were a widespread tax revolt here, they wouldn’t be able to do anything about it. We do what we say we’ll do. We show up when we say we’ll show up. I was so proud of myself for stopping for that red light. And inasmuch as no one would ever have known what a good person I was on the road from Harrisburg to Lewisburg, I had to tell someone. Now complete the deconstruction. Your Name: Raahim “In and of Ourselves We Trust” As you read,fill in the boxes. Introduction How does the author grab the reader’s interest in the first paragraph? Thesis: What is the thesis or main idea? What is the thesis or main idea? Evidence What is the evidence to support the thesis? Give at least three examples. Descriptive phrases What descriptive phrases or imagery does the author use? Conclusion How does the author conclude the personal essay? Organization How are events presented in the essay? Chronological? Non-linear? Flashback? Other? Theme Is there a central message about resilience? What is the author saying about overcoming challenges or obstacles? Introduction How does the author grab the reader’s interest in the first few paragraphs? ● Setting the scene of a late-night drive from Harrisburg to Lewisburg, PA. ● The mention of being late and potentially driving at an excessive speed creates tension and intrigue. Thesis: What is the thesis or main idea? The main idea of the essay is that trust forms the foundation of societal norms and interactions, and it is upheld not only by laws but also by unspoken social agreements among individuals. Evidence What is the evidence to support the thesis? Give at least three examples. 1. The author's decision to stop at a red light despite no visible traffic or law enforcement serves as evidence of the social contract and trust in following societal norms. 2. Comparison with other societies, like Italy, where trust in government institutions may be lacking, highlights the importance of trust in maintaining social order. 3. The example of the Internal Revenue Service's reliance on trust for tax compliance demonstrates how trust is essential for the functioning of governmental institutions. Descriptive phrases What descriptive phrases or imagery does the author use? ● "alone on the road,” and "the only human being for at least a mile in any direction" evokes a sense of solitude ● "the whole structure of our society depends on mutual trust" and "trust is our first inclination" emphasize the nature of trust in societal interactions Conclusion ● Expressing pride in their decision to stop at the red light ● Highlighting the significance of small acts of trust and adherence to societal norms even when they may go unnoticed by others How does the author conclude the personal essay? Organization How are events presented in the essay? Chronological? Nonlinear? Flashback? Other? ● Events in the essay are presented chronologically ● They are in past tense ● Starting with the late-night drive and culminating in the author's reflection on the importance of trust in society. Theme Is there a central message about resilience? What is the author saying about overcoming challenges or obstacles? ● The importance of trust in maintaining social order and cohesion ● The resilience of societal norms and the role of trust in overcoming challenges or potential breakdowns in cooperation Answer the “Essential Questions” How do you feel about what happened in the essay? As a high schooler, I feel like what happened in the essay is relatable. It's like when you follow rules or do the right thing even when no one's watching because it feels like the right thing to do. I also feel a little bit bad for the author because of his need to tell somebody about his good deed, which makes him come off as a validation seeker. What does this make you think of? This makes me think about how trust and following societal norms are important in our everyday lives. It shows how small actions, like stopping at a red light, contribute to the bigger picture of society working smoothly. The author is portrayed as a deep thinker. How does this relate to your own life? This relates to my own life because I often find myself in situations where I have to make decisions based on what's expected of me by society or what feels morally right. Making these decisions is not always difficult, but it does sometimes cause me to stop and think. Like the author, I sometimes ponder the reasons behind these actions and the broader implications of societal norms. How might other readers think differently from you? Other readers might think differently from me depending on their experiences and beliefs. Some might not see stopping at a red light as a big deal, while others might appreciate the author's reflection on trust and societal norms. For example, if I was raised in an environment where I was not taught about doing the right thing, no matter the circumstances, then I would cut the signal. What was the most important part for you? The most important part for me was when the author reflected on why they stopped at the red light, realizing it was because of a social contract and trust among people. This realization resonated with me because it emphasized the significance of small acts of trust in maintaining social order. The intricate rabbit hole of thought that I had to follow was a pleasant and interesting journey for me. What questions do you have about the essay? I have questions about how the author's perspective might change if they were in a different situation, like if there was someone else in the car or if they were running really late. Exploring this hypothetical scenario could provide further insight into the author's beliefs about trust and societal norms. What would you ask the author if you could? If I could ask the author something, I would ask how their perspective on trust and societal norms has evolved over time. Have there been any significant experiences or moments of reflection that have shaped their perspective on these topics? Understanding the author's personal journey could deepen my appreciation for the insights shared in the essay. How has the author dealt with this adversity? The author dealt with this adversity by reflecting on their actions and recognizing the importance of trust and following societal norms, even in situations where they might not be strictly enforced. Instead of breaking the law, they thought about how their decision could affect everyone in society. They decided to stick to the mutual trust that keeps our society running smoothly. This shows they thought carefully about what was right and wanted to make a positive impact on the community.
