In Michael Byer’s Work “Monuments to Our Better Nature” he uses subjective descriptions to help us understand how magnificent he saw the National Mall as a child in comparison to his adult view. Both of his perspectives help us understand what experiences he has been through, and the changes they brought. As a child he takes time describing all the fascinating things he saw, and as an adult he feels nostalgic towards them. His title makes me feel that Byers as an adult he feels like, only the good things in history are represented but not the ones that can make us feel shame. A young Michael Byers in great detail states that “The stuffed African elephant on its circular dais in the rotunda was composed of billions of skin cells and tiny cilia, and its ivory tusks wore an unfalsifiable brown patina of age.” (73) Young Michael Byers uses very descriptive words to share his admiration with us. How amazing is what he is witnessing, the elephant is really old and the brown patina stands as proof of its age. But as an adult he merely says that “There were ten million African elephants in 1930, and that now there are only thirty-five thousand” they were once great but know they are almost gone.
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“With malice towards none: with charity towards all: with firmness in the right… Let us strive on to finish the work we are in: to bind up the nation’s wounds… to do all which may achieve and cherish a just and lasting peace, among ourselves, and with all nations.” At this who does not feel grateful, and feel a lump in the throat.” Young Michael Byers explains how the carvings in the wall have a good effect on him and how he appreciates them. In contrast as an adult he says “We walk to the Korean War Veterans Memorial but leave with a bad taste. It tries too hard to move us, but it fails.” (76) It is the opposite feeling, and it serves the opposite reaction. It doesn’t move him at