성종영장문(관사) 5

장문 5

A characteristic of American culture that has become almost a tradition is the glorification of the self-made man --- the man who has risen to the top through his own efforts, usually beginning by working with his hands.

The leader in business or industry or the college professor may take pains to point out that his father started life in America as farm hand or worker of some sort.

This attitude toward manual labor is seen in many aspects of American life.

One is invited to dinner at a home that is not only comfortably but even luxuriously furnished: yet the hostess probably will cook the dinner herself, will serve it herself, and will wash the dishes afterward.

And even though her husband may be a professional man, he talks about washing the car, digging in his flower beds, painting the house, or laying tile on the floor of the recreation room in the basement.

His wife may been help him with these things, just as he often helps her with the dish washing.

The son who is away at college may wait on tables and wash the dishes for his board, or during the summer he may work with a construction gang on a new highway in order to earn his next year's a school expenses.