America Quote by John Cheever
“Our country is the best country in the world. We are swimming in prosperity and our President is the best president in the world. We have larger apples and better cotton and faster and more beautiful machines. This makes us the greatest country in the world. Unemployment is a myth. Dissatisfaction is a fable. In preparatory school America is beautiful. It is the gem of the ocean and it is too bad. It is bad because people believe it all. Because they become indifferent. Because they marry and reproduce and vote and they know nothing.”
About This Quote
Source Novel: The Wasted Hours, John Cheever, 1960
He praises America as the greatest nation, claiming prosperity and perfection while ignoring underlying social issues and complacency.
In simple terms: He glorifies America despite flaws.
Key Takeaway
Question idealized narratives.
Themes
nationalism
optimism
complacency
Mood
critical
skeptical
Type
political
philosophical
When to use this quote
- political discourse
- education
- media analysis
Key Concepts
American exceptionalism
social critique
Questions to Reflect On
- What evidence contradicts this view?
- How does complacency affect progress?
A Different Perspective
Blind patriotism can mask real problems.
![“I'll smoke, I'll cough, I'll get the tumors, I'll die, deal? Thank you America. [salutes]” quote by Bill Hicks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/3d2/bill-hicks-970_america_i-ll-smoke-i-ll-cough-i-ll-get-the-tumor_655.jpg)
