THEME
Define Theme as a literary term. What is it? How
does it show itself in a work of literature?
A theme is an underlying message that the author
wants the reader to understand. It is generally not
stated directly and is, instead, shown through how
the characters change, the conflicts presented in
the story, the different settings of the story, how the
story resolves, etc…
THE AMERICAN DREAM
What do you think the stereotypical American
Dream is?
What do you think the immigrants from the
1700s and 1800s believed was the American
Dream? Do you think it’s the same today?
How might the American Dream have changed
for immigrants of today? What about the natural
born American Citizens?
THE AMERICAN DREAM
What is your
American Dream?
Write down a list of
specific words to
represent YOUR
dream!
THE AMERICAN DREAM
What are the elements of your American Dream?
What words have you included to represent these
elements?
Why have you included these specific items?
How did you decide on the components of your Dream?
What did you leave out and why?
How does your American Dream compare to the
stereotypical one? To other word clouds within this
classroom?
THE AMERICAN DREAM
The Immigrants
part one:
An American Tale
Watch the clip and try to
decipher what the
character's think America
has to offer them. Why do
they wish for those things?
Copy and paste the following
link to find the song
http://www.youtube.com/
watch?v=2bC07e7PReM
THE AMERICAN DREAM
The Immigrants part
two:
“The Boxer” by Simon
and Garfunkel
How does this American
Dream differ from the
cat song?
(Google the title w/
lyrics)
Click icon to add picture
The Modern American
Dream:
Alicia Keys and Jay Z
“New York”
What ideas of the American
dream seem to be
represented in this song?
THE AMERICAN DREAMH O M E W O R K : D U E B Y F R I D A Y
On your own, write a few paragraphs answering
the following questions.
• Define and explain your own American Dream. • Select a song to match your individual Dream. Print
or hand write the lyrics and title/musician of the song you have chosen
• Explain how the song connects to your own beliefs.
• YES. You may use your cell phones to look for the perfect song. But you CANNOT share your ideas with anyone. I want you to write for yourself first, then we’ll share if we have time.