Living History Proposal

Student’s Name

Institutional Affiliation
 LIVING HISTORY PROPOSAL

In the living history proposal, I will be exploring the identity of a created character

(fictional character). My name is Mary Elizabeth Stowe. We come from different social

groups and in my case, I am a Christian, musician, White American female who loves to care

for the future. Also, I enjoy traveling, spending time with my family and live in the United

States (U.S). Although there are more, these are groups that relate to me and others. My

father worked for King Arthur Flour Company in Vermont. I spent most of my time living

with my father until at the age of 16 years when he moved to Virginia, where I currently live

with my parents. I have never been a slaveholder. Previously, I served in the union army

although presently am a small farmer. I am 26 years of age, unmarried with no children.

My identity depends on various events such as when the Whites discriminated black

people in politics and social facilities. Although racial discrimination is uncommon in

Virginia, watching news in the television and newspapers indicates that African-Americans

still face discrimination especially those from the southern US. I firmly believe that white

people should recognize the Blacks’ civil and political rights while still retaining control of

political and economic life.

Additionally, I see my character at this stage as someone who believes that one’s

identity is influenced by social, family, culture, friends, personal interests and environmental

factors. While some elements may significantly affect an individual, others may not. As one

grows up in a family, several factors influence them in life. Family and culture may change

an individual's morals and ethics, responsibilities, interests, and other life aspects. Family and

the environment may affect an individual's view on certain music, and other social activities.

The family has had influence on my life. I was born and raised in a strong religious

family. Both my parents are Christians. During the weekends, I assist my mother irrigating

the grass and flowers within our compound. My mother loves to care for the environment.
My father loves classical music, which my mother is also learning to love. Like my parents, I

like classical music, especially the songs by Ludwig Van Beethoven. His songs give me

courage that I can achieve anything if I believe in myself. Beethoven composed songs against

all odds. His music is all the more amazing because he wrote most of them when he was

almost deaf. At the end of the premiere of the Ninth Symphony, the audience assisted

Beethoven to turn around to see the ovation he could not hear. His songs are motivational to

not only the physically disabled, but to all people.

Besides music, I live my life off of adrenaline. I am only high in life when I encounter

exciting or life-threatening events which get my blood pumping and raises my adrenaline

level. Most aspects of my life reflect this very well. I love aggressive sports such as

wrestling. I am a morally upright individual which I partly inherited from my parents and

partly from my own. My morals include being kind, helpful and trustful to others. My golden

rule is that treat others as you could expect them to treat you. Also, I respect nature and keep

it clean by avoiding littering. I appreciate nature and spend most of the time reading nature

books. I feel that I am a well-rounded person who will go far in life.

The primary sources that have influenced my choice are: “What Most Influences the

Self-Identity of Americans?,” “Scarlett doesn't live here anymore - southern women in the

civil war era,” “Factors Affecting Identity Development and Organizational Involvement

Among Multiracial College Students,” “Factors influence an individual’s self-concept,” and

“Autonomy, psychological empowerment, and self-realization: Exploring data on self-

determination from NLTS2.” I have selected these sources because they talk about factors

shaping a person’s identity. These sources are less than five years after publication and thus

more valid in exploring my identity. Further, they are written by credible authors making

them reliable.
 References

Barna Group. (2015, March 19). What Most Influences the Self-Identity of Americans?

Retrieved from Barna Group: https://www.barna.com/research/what-most-influences-

the-self-identity-of-americans/

Crepel, A. L. (2014). Friendship: Shaping ourselves. International Journal of Philosophical

Studies, 22(2), 184-198.

Edwards, L. F. (2004). Scarlett doesnt live here anymore - southern women in the civil war

era. Illinois: University Of Illinois Press.

Gardner, S. K. (2014). Factors Affecting Identity Development and Organizational

Involvement Among Multiracial College Students. New York: Oxford University

Press.

Rodrigo. (2016, November 21). Factors influence an individual’s self-concept. Retrieved

from The WritePass Journal : https://writepass.com/journal/2016/11/factors-influence-

an-individuals-self-concept%EF%BB%BF/

Shogren, & Villarreal, G. (2015). Developing student, family, and school constructs from

NTLS2 data. Journal of Special Education, 49, 89-103.

Shogren, K., & Shaw, L. (2016). The role of autonomy, self-realization, and psychological

empowerment in predicting early adulthood outcomes for youth with disabilities.

Remedial and Special Education, 37, 55-62.

Shogren, K., Kennedy, W., Dowsett, C., & Little, T. (2014). Autonomy, psychological

empowerment, and self-realization: Exploring data on self-determination from

NLTS2. Exceptional Children, 80, 221-235.