My upbringing has significantly influenced the way I interpret the world. I grew up in a diverse family. Some of my relatives are from countries like India, Puerto Rico and Kenya. The cultural values ​​associated with these countries have shaped my critical approach. In addition to being culturally diverse, many members of my family identify with the LGBQT community. Through this, I was able to develop an appreciation for a variety of values ​​and social constructs. They gave me a well-rounded perception of the world and made me a better person. My multicultural family is also responsible for developing my love for the arts. When I was young, my grandfather took me to all the renowned art museums in New York City. We visited the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Guggenheim, the Museum of Modern Art and many others. My appreciation for art, especially the art of drawing, grew with each trip. I watched museum-goers draw the sculptures of the MET's Greek wing and longed for the day when I, too, could draw with such brevity. My grandfather responded by encouraging me to bring a notebook with me whenever we visited a museum. Not much has changed today. My grandfather still continues to take me to museums and galleries. I was also lucky enough to visit Paris with both of my grandparents in 2009. The Louvre, D'Orsay and other galleries were highlights of the trip. My grandparents are very supportive of my decision to pursue an artistic career. They compiled interesting articles from the New York Times arts section for me throughout high school and continue to mail them to me. Because of their liberal principles, they are able to see the value in a career path that some might consider invaluable. ...... middle of paper ...... itat has developed human-like qualities. The soldiers “hear” the plant life around them speaking for itself. These delusions push them to declare an airstrike on an innocent Vietnamese village. In this case, the setting was responsible for the characters' diminished mental state. I find that details like these can improve the relationship between a critical theory and a text. My inclination to identify the setting, protagonist, and other aspects of a material is a result of my values. The nature of my overall critical approach is deeply rooted in my beliefs. These values ​​are the product of growing up in a culturally diverse family. I was taught to think progressively and not judge others. I analyze materials and situations with the same liberal mentality. I concluded that this open-minded way of thinking can act as both an asset and a burden.