Flag is a supreme symbol of patriotism. In Kingsolver’s the essay, flag is used in the title, and it is an important idea in the whole essay. He argued for the right to be included in national practices of patriotism, and he said that after September 11, 2001, it is time to retire the rockers red glare and the bloody bandage as obsolete symbols of old glory (554). In my mind, being a young patriot, the first thing we should do is studying this country’s past and present if we want to know how to be patriotic. Then we could know what we could do for this country. The essence of patriotism is not to destroy but to create after reflection. Reflecting the history and tradition, and we can build a country much better. In addition, in the most dangerous time, patriotism can be showed the best.
I’m proud of my country because all compatriots have patriotism. I remembered that after the biggest earthquake happened in Sichuan, all the Chinese people did their best to help the disaster area. Schools were collapsed, and students suffered burying. My friend, Jin, who is from Sichuan, has pledged to donate all the prize money of competition to help victims in the earthquake. Moreover, I heard that there was an 80 years old woman, she helped rescuers to search survivors, and her hands which dig the ruins bleed al lot. Not only Jin and this old woman, nearly all Chinese do the best way they can do to help victims. Though this accident, I felt my homeland becomes stronger and stronger because she has so many patriots.
We might ever think patriotism of the love for one’s country that makes him ready to sacrifice his life for the country. The mature sense of the true patriot has a sense of responsibility and out of self-interest for himself, his family, and the future of his country.