Assignment Question
Description: Write an original essay/story that showcases the story and lesson your chosen character (BONO) 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, drug abuse, religion…etc.).
This is an analytical essay; Do not re-tell the events. 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. You can see that I describe in my own words an action that takes place and then back it up with an example. ex: Troy is a proud man who never backs down in the first act of the play and his actions toward his family display this behavior particularly when he argues with Lyons and exclaims, “You was in the neighborhood alright, nigger. You telling the truth there. You was in the neighborhood cause it’s my payday” (Troy, Fences; act 1). Approach Review the Module (PIXAR) on storytelling and apply some of the suggested tactics in the video. Decide on a topic that discusses a value that is important to you; Something you feel VERY STRONGLY about.
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 – You will not turn in an outline. This is just to help you plan your paper. 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—arrogance or a lack of humility. 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. They may brush it off, blame others, or double down on their previous behavior.
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.
How to cite dialogue: Citing transcripts, plays, or screenplays – From Purdue Online Writing Lab Sources that take the form of a dialogue involving two or more participants have special guidelines for their quotation and citation. Each line of dialogue should begin with the speaker’s name written in all capitals and indented half an inch. A period follows the name (e.g., JAMES.). After the period, write the dialogue. Each successive line after the first should receive an additional indentation. When another person begins speaking, start a new line with that person’s name indented only half an inch.
Repeat this pattern each time the speaker changes. You can include stage directions in the quote if they appear in the original source. Conclude with a parenthetical that explains where to find the excerpt in the source. Usually, the author and title of the source can be given in a signal phrase before quoting the excerpt, so the concluding parenthetical will often just contain location information like page numbers or act/scene indicators. Here is an example from O’Neill’s The Iceman Cometh. Alcohol makes an early appearance in O’Neill’s play. In the very first scene, O’Neill’s characters treat alcohol as a panacea for their ills: WILLIE. (Pleadingly) Give me a drink, Rocky. Harry said it was all right. God, I need a drink. ROCKY. Den grab it. It’s right under your nose. WILLIE. (Avidly) Thanks. (He takes the bottle with both twitching hands and tilts it to his lips and gulps down the whiskey in big swallows.) (Act.Scene)
