Throughout the course of humanity, qualities of ideal citizenship have been well documented in multiplier texts. Charles Gaines and George Butler’s Pumping Iron properly displays the discourse of an ideal citizen. For example, Pumping Iron displays the diligence, teamwork, and the ability to work under pressure that an ideal member of society should possess through its main protagonists, Arnold Schwarzenegger and Franco Columbo: ultimately displaying the main motive of behaving like an ideal citizen, which is banding together and getting rid of common enduring issues. For example, Arnold is shown working day and night for years with his training partner, Franco Columbo, and both band together to work on their physical and physiological weaknesses to achieve their common goal: win the titles as Mr. Olympia for their respective competitions. The unending grind and hard work Arnold and Franco put into their time at the gym, which seeps into their private lives, showcases the devotion a citizen should possess when trying to solve a problem or improving on themselves: the ideal citizen would spend day and night trying to better an aspect of society or themselves, and every aspect of their life would be revolved around the solution. Arnold and Franco both are symbols of the grind and diligence one has to endure in order to improve: a quality of the model citizen. The mindsets of ‘grinding’ that Arnold and Fanco adopt reflect on a model citizen’s ability to tirelessly work to achieve a goal. Another example of Pumping Iron showcasing the ideal qualities of a citizen is the partnership between Arnold and Franco: both are able to work well with each other to improve themselves, yet also frequently take time alone to individually work and prepare for their meeting together, ultimately demonstrating a model citizen’s ability to work well individually and with others. Arnold and Franco both culminate a relationship that thrives under the combination of individual work and group efforts, representing the duality of an ideal citizen, and how the ideal citizen would be able to work both alone and as part of a team: through Arnold and Franco’s teamwork and individualism, both protagonists are able to improve on what they personally think their respective bodies need, but also take the other’s advice and opinion into consideration, something that every citizen should strive to do. Furthermore, both Arnold and Franco embody the ability to work well under pressure, a trait that a citizen should possess: in the novel, both protagonists have to both endure and employ several mental obstacles, from other competitors trying intimidation tactics to experiencing body dysmorphia, both Arnold and Franco have to perform in their shows under pressure and not in their best mental states. Arnold’s and Franco’s struggles under pressure symbolizes how citizens should perform under pressure: essentially not performing in the most perfect way, but instead acknowledging they are on edge and just trying to make the best out of their situation. However, it can be said that both Arnold and Franco are not model citizens: despite showcasing several qualities that are seen in the model citizen, both protagonists do not follow the most essential quality of this model citizen, which is ultimately banding together and solving problems that are present in their community. Arnold and Franco both sabotage their competitors as much as their competitors sabotage them, and don’t have any clear motives for improving the state of their community, rather only improving/working for themselves and their loved ones. Furthermore, while Arnold and Franco train together and maintain a healthy relationship, both end up competing against each other for the title of the ultimate Mr. Olympia (where the under-200 pounds winner, in this case Franco, and over-200 pounds winner, Arnold, face off). Arnold and Franco really cannot be classified as model citizens because they don’t work with others in their actual competition and don’t directly benefit their community in any way. In essence, Charles Gaines and George Butler’s Pumping Iron showcases certain qualities of an ideal citizen, such as diligence, teamwork, and the ability to work under pressure through the protagonists of the novel, Arnold Schwarzenegger and Franco Columbo, yet these protagonists cannot be classified as model citizens themselves.

Yet, the presence of the “ideal citizen mentality” is applied and seen through myself in my own life at school: where I find qualities of the ideal citizen in my own actions, such as benefiting the community, working/communicating well with others, and abiding by the law. For example, I frequently do a variety of community service for my grade/community: I lead my grade in the homecoming parade, I raised funds for several non-profit charitable organizations, as well as leading/being a member of a variety of other charitable organizations. I feel that my actions in terms of providing assistance to the greater good of the community aligns with that of an ideal citizen’s ability to benefit the community. Another example is that I feel that my ability to work and communicate with my peers and my teachers is much like that of an ideal citizen’s ability to work well and communicate effectively with others: from making jokes to making well put together assignments, I feel that I can work and communicate well with my peers, as well as my teachers. A similar quality is found in the ideal citizen’s range of talents; the ability to efficiently work and communicate with others, and I feel that my work in school reflects this quality. Moreover, I would say that I follow the model citizen’s quality of abiding by the law, but willing to stand up against unjust laws. Fortunately, there have not been any laws imposed by the school or town that I have felt were unjust or unfair, and I have not ever broken a major law in the community or any federal laws. However, I would say that if I felt there was an unjust law, I would rise against that law and campaign for its removal. Overall, I do feel that I am an ideal citizen, as I feel that I do contain most qualities present in a model citizen, and I have done a lot of positive things/no negative things for my community.