Here are some things to think about when reading the Guterson essay, "One Week at the Mall of America."

Guterson's essay describes a visit to the largest shopping mall in America: the "Mall of America" in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Yet it's clear that Guterson's interest in the mall is not just to go shopping. Rather, he's interested in what the mall says about who we are as Americans, how we define ourselves, what we value in our lives, and what we find to be desirable. In other words, if you want to know about the true nature of contemporary American culture, go to the mall.

Write an essay addressing the following  two questions concerning Guterson's piece:

1. Guterson describes a multitude of sights and sounds as he travels through the giant mall. What sort of images does he describe? What sort of people does he encounter? What are people looking for in the mall? Why do Americans find it such an attractive place? How is it more than just a place to shop? Using a few examples, summarize  the value of the mall beyond simply being a place to buy things, as described by Guterson.

2. Guterson, seems to become more and more critical of the shopping mall as he goes on. What specifically does Guterson condemn about the mall in his essay? Why doesn't he like "Camp Snoopy," for example? How does Guterson distinguish between the "illusion" and the "reality" of the mall? What is the underlying reality of the mall? What illusion does it present to the world? If the mall is so popular, why then do Americans seem to prefer "illusion"? Describe the aspects  of the mall that Guterson condemns, using a few specific examples.

Your response should be typed, double-spaced and about 600 words (2 pages) long.