Description
- Write an essay that showcases the story and lesson your chosen character delivers in the play, Fences. Your essay must address a social issue that is taken for granted and often overlooked (hunger, race, poverty, greed, excessive drinking, etc.).
- You need to recall the purpose of a story. Decide on the LESSON your character is teaching his/her audience and build your story around that lesson.
- You will be graded on the analysis you perform and not on your ability to describe a character’s action
Aproach
- Decide on a topic that discusses a value that is important to you
- Create a Title that reflects the meaning of the point you want to discuss.
- Build an outline using the model below that you will use for your essay
-
Introduction:
- Introduce the protagonist, a talented and accomplished individual.
- Establish their notable skills or achievements that have garnered them recognition and praise.
- Highlight a particular character trait or flaw that will serve as the focus of the story
-
The Catalyst:
- Present a situation or event that challenges the protagonist’s ego or self-perception.
- This event could involve a setback, a failure, or encountering someone who humbles them.
- The protagonist initially dismisses the experience or fails to grasp its significance.
-
Ignoring the Lesson:
- Show the protagonist’s initial response to the humbling event, displaying their arrogance or refusal to accept the lesson.
- This resistance to change deepens the internal conflict.
-
A Humble Encounter:
- Introduce a character who embodies humility, such as a wise mentor, a kind stranger, or a humble individual from a different background.
- This character serves as a catalyst for change, offering guidance or teaching valuable life lessons.
- The protagonist initially resists their teachings but gradually begins to recognize the wisdom in their words.
-
Moments of Reflection:
- Present moments where the protagonist reflects on their past actions, contemplating the consequences of their arrogance.
- These moments should evoke emotions like regret, guilt, or a sense of emptiness, prompting self-reflection.
-
The Journey of Transformation:
- Show the protagonist’s gradual transformation as they begin to embrace humility.
- Depict moments of personal growth, as they actively seek to understand others, show empathy, and acknowledge their own limitations.
- Highlight specific actions or choices that demonstrate their newfound humility.
-
Redemption or Resolution:
- Confront the protagonist with a situation that tests their newfound humility.
- This could involve a situation where their old ego-driven behavior would have been their instinctive response.
- Show how the protagonist reacts differently now, choosing humility and making amends for past mistakes.
-
Conclusion:
- Bring the story to a close, emphasizing the positive changes the protagonist has undergone.
- Depict their newfound humility as a source of strength and fulfillment.
- End the story with a hopeful or inspirational note, suggesting that humility has enriched their life and relationships.
*MS WORD document in MLA Format