Arthur Miller’s play, Death of a Salesman,
The brief bio of Lorraine Hansberry, Raisin in the Sun.
Topic
Death of a Salesman and Raisin in the Sun are both famous for their portrayals of families in search of the “American Dream,” but for each character in the two plays, different components of this “Dream” may have different value. What does this “Dream” promise? What are its components?
For this essay I would like you to identify one component of the American Dream found in Raisin in the Sun that engages you personally in some way. Identify, analyze, and explain the importance of this component and its promise in the play. Make sure you use ample quotes from the play to support your claims. Then explain to the reader how you have personally encountered or understand this component and its promise, and why you either value or reject it.
Next, identify one component of the American Dream found in Death of a Salesman that engages you personally. Analyze and explain the importance of this component and its promise, and how it is portrayed in the play. Make sure you use ample quotes from the play to support your claims. Then explain to the reader how you have personally encountered or understand this promise, and why you either value or reject it.
Finally, conclude your paper by explaining to the reader which character (from either play) you most identify or empathize with, and why. Make sure you develop your answer. This should be a full paragraph, not just a quick statement.
Simple Outline
Here’s an outline that I hope will help you in writing Essay #3. I’ve provided an approximate word count for each section as a guide to approximately how much emphasis you should spend on each part. The total word count as outlined below would be 1,600 words. This is what I suggest you aim for. If you fall a bit short, you’ll still meet them minimum requirement. If you are longer, you’ll still be within the required word count.
I. Introduction — Set the context for your paper and conclude it with a ONE SENTENCE Thesis Statement. I provided a template for that Thesis in your Essay #3 Requirements. (approx. 150 words)
II. Body paragraph #1 – Begin with a topic sentence that asserts what you will prove in your analysis of the American Dream component you’ve selected from Raisin in the Sun. Then support your claims with ample quotations form the play. (approx. 350 words)
III. Body paragraph #2 – Begin with a topic sentence that asserts what you will prove about your connection to this component you selected from Raisin in the Sun. Then be specific in what you say. Show the reader one or more examples that influenced you. (approx. 200 words)
IV. Body paragraph #3 – Begin with a topic sentence that asserts what you will prove in your analysis of the American Dream component you’ve selected from Death of a Salesman. Then support your claims with ample quotations form the play. (approx. 350words)
V. Body paragraph #4 – Begin with a topic sentence that asserts what you will prove about your connection to this component you selected from Death of a Salesman. Then be specific in what you say. Show the reader one or more examples that influenced you. (approx. 200 words)
VI. Body paragraph #5 – Begin with a topic sentence that asserts what you will prove about your relationship to the character you’ve selected from one of the plays. Then be specific in what you say. Feel free to use quotes form the play to illustrate your connection. ( approx. 200 words)
VII. Conclusion – summarize the what you’ve proven in your paper, and re-assert your thesis statement, if possible, in a more original/focused/re-worded way. (approx. 100 words)
Requirements
Remember that your paper must contain your own analysis, not just a summary of the plays.
No outside sources may be used in this paper.
1. Your thesis statement for this essay will essentially claim that the components of the American Dream are essential to the content of the two plays and relevant to the reader even today. Put this idea into your own words. It should be ONE sentence, placed at the end of your opening paragraph.
2. Follow the standard conventions for academic writing and format your essay’s pages according to MLA formatting guidelines. Consult the website Purdue Owl for proper MLA formatting information. You will find the information here:
https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/research_and_citation/mla_style/mla_formatting_and_style_guide/mla_general_format.html
3. For this assignment, of course, you are permitted to use the personal pronoun “I” when discussing the elements that pertain to you.3. For this assignment, of course, you are permitted to use the personal pronoun “I” when discussing the elements that pertain to you.3. For this assignment, of course, you are permitted to use the personal pronoun “I” when discussing the elements that pertain to you.
4. The analysis in this essay must be your own, and you need to support your ideas with quotations from the plays. You must have at least four, well-selected quotes from each play to support your analysis . That is a total minimum of 8 quotes for the essay. Fewer than the required minimum number of quotations will result in a failing grade.
IMPORTANT: YOUR IN-TEXT CITATIONS MUST BE FORMATTED ACCORDING TO THE MLA GUIDELINES . If you fail to support your analysis with the required number of quotes, or fail to use the MLA format for in-text citations, will will not receive a passing grade.
5. Avoid a general, vague, meandering introduction. Develop your body paragraphs by beginning each one with a clear, assertive, topic sentence. It serves as the assertion that the paragraph it introduces will prove.