“American Dream”
Formal Outline for Essay on the “American Dream”
Working Thesis: What most dream chasers do not understand is that although America is a great place to start working towards dreams, it is not free of setbacks. In both the stories The Death of a Salesman and A Raisin in the Sun, each family starts out with big dreams. They are challenged by setbacks that they never saw coming, and are forced to accept such oppressive forces.
I. Introduction A. Ask a question about regret to get the reader’s attention. B. Try to define the American dream. C. Describe the reality of dreams. D. Overview some of the aspect of dreams in the two stories that will be covered.
II. The Monetary Aspect of Dreams A. The Death of a Salesman 1. Talk about how Willy struggles with his salesman career. 2. Mention Biff’s indecisiveness in his career choice & disagreement with his father. B. A Raisin in the Sun 1. Three members of the family are working to keep one house going. 2. Beneatha is trying to go to college. 3. The insurance check coming from Papa’s death causes many financial arguments.
III. The Difference in Dreams A. The Death of a Salesman 1. Willy has dreams for both of his sons, especially Biff. 2. Willy and Biff have different ideas for the best path for Biff. B. A Raisin in the Sun 1. Mama wants a better house. 2. Walter wants to be successful in the liquor business. 3. Beneatha wants to become a doctor.
IV. The Difference in Determination A. A Raisin in the Sun 1. Walter and Beneatha are both hard-headed and determined to obtain their dreams. 2. Mama and Ruth are so bogged down with reality that they have a hard time having hope in their own dreams. 3. The insurance check plays a big role in the entire family’s view on their dreams. B. The Death of a Salesman 1. Willy wants to be a salesman in New York. 2. Willy also is determined to have his son go into business. 3.
Working Thesis: What most dream chasers do not understand is that although America is a great place to start working towards dreams, it is not free of setbacks. In both the stories The Death of a Salesman and A Raisin in the Sun, each family starts out with big dreams. They are challenged by setbacks that they never saw coming, and are forced to accept such oppressive forces.
I. Introduction A. Ask a question about regret to get the reader’s attention. B. Try to define the American dream. C. Describe the reality of dreams. D. Overview some of the aspect of dreams in the two stories that will be covered.
II. The Monetary Aspect of Dreams A. The Death of a Salesman 1. Talk about how Willy struggles with his salesman career. 2. Mention Biff’s indecisiveness in his career choice & disagreement with his father. B. A Raisin in the Sun 1. Three members of the family are working to keep one house going. 2. Beneatha is trying to go to college. 3. The insurance check coming from Papa’s death causes many financial arguments.
III. The Difference in Dreams A. The Death of a Salesman 1. Willy has dreams for both of his sons, especially Biff. 2. Willy and Biff have different ideas for the best path for Biff. B. A Raisin in the Sun 1. Mama wants a better house. 2. Walter wants to be successful in the liquor business. 3. Beneatha wants to become a doctor.
IV. The Difference in Determination A. A Raisin in the Sun 1. Walter and Beneatha are both hard-headed and determined to obtain their dreams. 2. Mama and Ruth are so bogged down with reality that they have a hard time having hope in their own dreams. 3. The insurance check plays a big role in the entire family’s view on their dreams. B. The Death of a Salesman 1. Willy wants to be a salesman in New York. 2. Willy also is determined to have his son go into business. 3.