Die Familenanwältin (The Family Lawyer). This series follows lawyer Hanna Lorenz as she navigates both professional and personal upheaval. Within her law firm, Hanna and her colleagues often face conflicts and differing opinions on cases. The show highlights how the characters handle professional disagreements directly and objectively, while still supporting each other in personal matters.
Anita Hill
Anita Hill’s Testimony at the Clarence Thomas Hearings (1991). When Anita Hill testified about alleged sexual harassment by Supreme Court nominee Clarence Thomas, her credibility, character, and professional competence were intensely scrutinized in public. The hearings became not just about the facts of the case, but a referendum on Hill’s personal integrity and Thomas’s suitability for the highest court—showing how, in the U.S., professional disputes often become deeply personal and reputational.
Joe McCarthy
McCarthy Hearings (1954). Senator Joseph McCarthy’s anti-communist investigations targeted the personal loyalties and reputations of government officials, military officers, and private citizens. Accusations of professional disloyalty were treated as attacks on personal character, often resulting in ruined careers and social ostracism—highlighting how, in American public life, professional and personal assessments are inseparable.
profession and personal
The Evolution of Performance Reviews in the Workplace. By the 1960s, around 90% of U.S. employers had implemented formal performance review systems. These reviews were not just about evaluating results; they became a primary means for managers to provide feedback directly to employees about their individual contributions, strengths, and areas for improvement. The process was designed to be personal – feedback was delivered face-to-face, often with attention to the employee’s feelings and professional development. This approach reflects the American tendency to connect feedback on work with the person, making it both a professional and personal matter.
resilience, unity
National Response to 9/11. The collective response to the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks is remembered as a moment when Americans came together, and feedback – through public praise, memorials, and support-was directed at individuals such as first responders and victims’ families. The outpouring of support and recognition was highly personal, emphasizing empathy, emotional connection, and the linking of national performance (resilience, unity) with individual stories and heroism.
internalized
Death of a Salesman by Arthur Miller. Willy Loman’s self-worth is deeply tied to his professional success and the feedback he receives from employers, family, and society. Praise or criticism of his work is internalized as a judgment of his personal value, highlighting how professional feedback in American culture is often experienced as personal affirmation or rejection.
Holden takes it personally
The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger. Holden Caulfield’s interactions at school and work are colored by how feedback affects his sense of self. When teachers, peers, or employers critique his performance or attitude, Holden takes it personally, reflecting the American tendency to link feedback on work with personal identity.
Esther Greenwood
The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath. Esther Greenwood’s experiences in the workplace and as an intern are shaped by feedback from supervisors and colleagues. Praise boosts her confidence, while criticism is felt as a personal setback, illustrating the emotional impact of feedback and the intertwining of personal and professional spheres.
reflection of personal worth
Little Women by Louisa May Alcott. The March sisters’ growth is closely tied to feedback from family, friends, and mentors. Jo, in particular, responds emotionally to feedback on her writing and work, viewing it as a reflection of her personal worth and aspirations.