Success In Dr. Anderson's 'A Noiseless Patient Spider'

Success has always been the goal in American society, and it is commonly measured by intelligence or income. This mindset has been around since the birth of our nation, but why is this our ultimate goal? Americans seem to forget the process of becoming successful and only focus on the result. Various American literature supports Dr. Allan’s idea that true value and success are based on growth, not accolade. Dr. Allan’s thoughts on the growth mindset are evident within American nonfiction. Dr. Allan uses Michael Jordan as the focus of his article and talks about his journey to his current success. Allan believes that success can only come from the work that you put into it, and he calls this the growth mindset. Emerson also shares the same
Allan’s idea of growth within ourselves. In “A Noiseless Patient Spider,” Whitman compares the spider to his soul, and describes it as “Ceaselessly musing, venturing.../ Till the bridge you will need be form’d,” (8-9). The human soul, like the spider, should forever be growing and improving until you reach your dreams and find your place. Like Whitman, Holmes compares the soul to a nautilus who is continuously growing both physically and spiritually. Although it may not seem like much, the nautilus’ “silent toil” leads his soul to grow until the end, (Holmes 15). Holmes’ poem tells us to not give up on our personal growth “Till thou... art free,” (34). If the nautilus were to stop growing, it would die without reaching its full potential. Longfellow simply says that the “soul is dead that slumbers,” meaning if you are not constantly working on you soul, you will not get anywhere in life, (3). He also goes on to say that life is meant for growth and progress, “Not enjoyment, and not sorrow” , ( Longfellow 9-12). Life should not be spent worrying about the future, but spent working towards it. Berry admires the animals “who do not tax their lives with forethought,” (8). The soul of Berry’s poem comes to peace with how life goes and eventually feels free of worry, (12). Human beings should focus their energy into bettering themselves during their journey to success, rather than the outcome of their success as Dr. Allan
Allan’s growth mindset is also present in major American works, such as Walden, Of Mice and Men, and The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin. Benjamin Franklin and Henry David Thoreau both had the same goal of bettering themselves by living simply. Benjamin Franklin called this “arriving at moral perfection,” and he seeked to tell his grandkids how to become successful. Franklin knew that his “endeavor at improvement” would be a challenge, but he still attempted at it. Franklin also says, “whoever attempts this aright...cannot fail of pleasing God and of meeting with success.” He believes that the effort put into trying to better oneself is enough to become successful. Thoreau’s goal was to “live free and uncommitted.” Thoreau felt that people should be able to learn things how they wanted to and to discover things for themselves. He believed that people should be self reliant, and work hard for themselves. The wood-chopper, a guest of Thoreau’s, is described as someone hardworking, yet humble. He is “so happy withal,” and satisfied with what he does (Thoreau) . In his eyes, he is successful. In Steinbeck’s Of Mice and Men, George and Lennie have a goal of owning their own farm, but they never succeed. George and Lennie were always caught up in what they could have and never focused on how they will get there. Lennie was a big dreamer, but did not seem to understand the process of making his dreams happen. George and Lennie are symbols of typical Americans who only see