Urban life attracted people from both …show more content…
Hofstadter clearly addresses the concern with the title, “Spoilsmen: An Age of Cynicism.” Hofstadter is able to convey a powerful message through the title: his belief that most people in this age were strictly driven by personal interest and nothing else. The idea that people were entirely lacking any sense of morale (accepting bribes and having no concern for others) and that they were willing to nonchalantly turn their backs on one of the most fundamental American principles: …show more content…
It was full of glamour and wealth for some, but for the majority was characterized by crime, poverty, disease, and tremendous misery. It was a painful era of growth for the United States that was often marked by injustice and bribery (Hofstadter, 220-221), but many, like Hofstadter, chose to pay close attention to the lack of honesty among the politicians and businessmen of the time. Hofstadter discussed issues that others would prefer to ignore, but he realized that although it may be painful to highlight the extent of the mistakes and corruption of one’s own country, it is essential in order to build a better country for