What the Literature Tells Us About Us

You have been thinking about identity in America this week quite a bit.  How do you feel the literature we read, the essays, stories, and poetry will help you to define what "identity" even is in America today?

Identity in America

Yesterday in class you all wrote how you would define your own identity.  What kinds of criteria did you use?  Do you use age, gender, religion, race, ethnic background, hair color?  What kinds of criteria do we tend to use when we "identify" others--and do we honestly think others use that criteria when they "identify" us?

What sources are you using?

Now that some of you have established what aspect of the American Dream you will explore in your essays, you should discuss what sources (besides  the literature) you plan to use.  Tell each other how you found each source and how you intend to use it in your essay to support your thesis.

What is it exactly, the American Dream?

What particular issue or aspect of the American Dream are you planning to explore in your essay? Try to be as specific as you can here--as you prepare for invention on Tuesday.  Will you look at how the dream is alive? Is a nightmare? Is possible? Is based on income? race? gender?  This list is not exhaustive but is meant to get you started.