Academic Paper from the year 1974 in the subject American Studies - Literature, grade: A, University of Massachusetts - Amherst (English Department), course: Seminar Professor Plumstead, language: English, abstract: In modern America, "identity" is a constant preoccupation, one might even say an obsession. Individuals, communities, racial minorities, even towns and cities (like Boston) and, of course, the whole nation affirm and assert their identity, or indeed complain their lack of it.