Respond to A,B and C.

A. Since the native people were once THE Americans who subsequently lost most of their land, rights, opportunities and status to the first immigrants who were Europeans in pursuit of the American Dream, it is fair to say that that dream was an American Nightmare to Native Americans because it created an undeniable narrative of loss. Discuss the process of Native Americans’ cultural narrative under the theme of “Loss and Survival” using (1) Sherman Alexie’s short story “What You Pawn”; (2) one nonfiction source from the Native American folder of Our Online Library;

B.B. Whereas the American Dream emphasizes immediate individual success, “The Dream of Americans” is the hope for identity and equality in a constant push for recognition against the see-saw struggle of setbacks and success. Answer this question: Is the dream of Americans who wish for equality that is found in literature by and about African Americans now relevant to other peoples of color in America or are the new Americans’ stories of struggle entirely different? Using the comparison of two nonfiction sources from Our Online Library (essay, article, etc.) try to answer this question.

C.C. The Dominant Culture in this country remains white even as the demographics of the majority population shifts to non-whites (and now primarily Hispanic). Therefore the question of American self-identity stays prominent in the literature of non-white authors. Often the self-identity theme is explored via stories of relationships. Using chapters seven through twelve of The Namesake and text from any other work read this Semester that you have not used in (A) or (B) above, write about how the American self-identity question is handled in The Namesake and your other chosen work.