Positive and Negative

The first image, showing 'The Boxer' by Simon and Garfunkel is for me an iconic positive  image of America; not only because American music has been so influential but also because the song itself represents the 'American Dream'. The hope and persistence that many people associate with this concept is embodied by the 'Boxer' who keeps fighting despite 'every glove that laid him down'. This consequently inspires the boy who was close to giving up his dreams of improving himself because of the loneliness and poverty he experiences after emigrating to New York and in turn, I feel, gives people new hope in the 'American Dream'.

The second image shows the Wall Street Crash in New York, 1929 which followed the 'Boom' of the 1920's and led to the Great Depression in the 1930's which affected not only America but many other Western countries. The reason this image is an iconic negative image of America is because (though on a smaller scale) is seems to keep recurring and America continues to find itself in serious financial difficulties. As recently as 2008 America became the world's largest debtor revealing how the economy continues to be a negative for the United States.