Introduction
Creativity is a permanent attribute of human activity because every person strives for self-expression to one degree or another. A creative person is capable of self-improvement and innovative and creative activity. A person with favorable creative pursuits needs specific qualities and combinations (Barton, 2018). The possibility of self-realization is inherent in the human personality from birth and is practical and of the most critical importance in any person’s life (Barton, 2018). Self-realization is a mechanism for the disclosure and identification of hidden talents and inclinations of the individual, conducive to a successful life in the future. Acts of creative self-expression can form new creative currents, and iconic symbols, thus positively influencing human society. American apple pie is not just a delicious dish but also almost the most important sign of identity, which, in turn, is a component of the act of self-expression.
Relationship between Culture and Expression
Culture is a specific human way of activity to create spiritual and material values. Its result is a dynamic system of symbols, ideas, patterns, traditions, and norms of behavior embodied in the social development of a person in their spiritual world. It means that it is human who creates culture, but at the same time, culture creates human (Kuppers, 2017). Thus, under its essence, culture is turned to man as a mirror in all its manifestations, types, and forms. Looking into it, they strive to know and understand themselves more deeply, to become more excited and more attractive. The appeal of culture to humans, while remaining constant, in its directions, and forms of expression is constantly changing (Kuppers, 2017). It is possible to formulate the following questions concerning the relationship between culture and self-expression:
- How does a particular culture affect a person’s self-expression?
- Does human self-expression have an impact on a specific culture?
- Why is a particular culture and human expression closely related?
Values Regarding the Traditional American Apple Pie
Apple pie is one of the USA’s most recognizable and beloved symbols. This dish is considered a symbol of family, home comfort, peace, tranquility, and happiness – essential values of the American people (Kelly, 2021). The love of the American people for apple pie was vividly manifested during two wars: the Civil War and the Second World War. In these challenging times, women sent pies to soldiers at the front to remind them of the home where they were loved and waited for, raising their morale: this food symbolized a piece of home for them (Jupina, 2021). Thus, the connection between apple pie and the motherland is forever fixed in the minds of Americans.
Questions concerning essential values and how they are formed under the influence of other people’s opinions can be included as follows:
- What values are the most important for a person?
- How can life values change under the influence of other people??
- How important is it to have solid life values?
Conclusion
Among the central life values of people, one can single out, for example, optimism – the most valuable quality that allows seeing the good in absolutely everything. In addition, the essential quality is love as an attitude to the surrounding world and the living beings in it, imbued with kindness and compassion. Faith in people is a feeling that extends both to others and oneself, including determination, willpower, and a sense of trust.
Indeed, it is impossible not to include friendship and family as the oldest and most important human values, without which a human personality cannot be formed correctly and fully. Throughout life, some people can change someone’s views on the world, which is a normal process since a person is constantly changing and developing. Nevertheless, it is wrong when other people negatively influence other people’s life values, distort them or manipulate them with their help. To not fall under evil influence, it is necessary to have strong life values and moral guidelines.
References
Barton, G. (2018). The relationship between music, culture, and society: meaning in music. In Music Learning and Teaching in Culturally and Socially Diverse Contexts (pp. 23-41). Palgrave Macmillan, Cham. Web.
Jupina, M. (2021). American as apple pie: Cultural significance of American baked goods.
Kelly, A. (2021). As American as apple pie: The cultural impact of war. Times Literary Supplement, 6172, 20.
Kuppers, P. (Executive Producer). (2017). Being human [Audio podcast]. SoundCloud. Web.