Summary Of Anna Quindlen A Quilt Of A Country

In “A Quilt of a Country” by Anna Quindlen, the author illustrates the notion that American culture is a paradox of our two defining ideals, community and individuality. In the passage Quindlen explains how our nation was “founded on a conundrum”(3) as the beliefs of our nation are in constant conflict. Community and individuality are ideals of America, but it is difficult to have both. Several believe if you hold onto your culture and background it is challenging to act as a community. The author mentions how historians today bemoan the ascendency of apartheid, they believe that “clinging to ethnicity in background and custom has undermined the concept of unity”(3). It is puzzling to think that American people can have diversity, and yet still