Ms. De Luccia
AP Language and Compostion
2013-14
Summer Reading Assignment
Due: Upon return in September
Texts:
It Ain’t No Sin to be Glad You’re Alive: The Promise of Bruce Springsteen
by Eric Alterman;
American Dream: A Short History of an Idea that Shaped a Nation
by Jim Cullen;
On the Road
by Jack Kerouac
James Truslow Adams first used the term “American Dream” in his 1931 book, The Epic
of America. He states: "The American Dream is that dream of a land in which life should
be better and richer and fuller for everyone, with opportunity for each according to ability
or achievement. It is a difficult dream for the European upper classes to interpret
adequately, and too many of us ourselves have grown weary and mistrustful of it. It is not
a dream of motor cars and high wages merely, but a dream of social order in which each
man and each woman shall be able to attain to the fullest stature of which they are
innately capable, and be recognized by others for what they are, regardless of the
fortuitous circumstances of birth or position" (214-215).
Assignment:
With James Truslow Adam’s definition as a starting point for your analysis, you will
examine some of the key topics from the texts regarding the idea of THE AMERICAN
DREAM. Choose one of the questions below to answer in essay format. Consider the
various categories (social, educational, economic, political, religious) to guide your
analysis and organization.
Essay Topics: Choose ONE of the following writing prompts.
QUESTION 1: DEFINITION. When our society talks about "The American Dream,"
what do we mean? What are the key aspects of the American Dream today and where did
they come from? How is this definition reflected in the various texts you have read over
the summer? Use all three texts to support your ideas.
QUESTION 2: OBSTACLES. As we have seen in our various texts, not everyone
achieves the American Dream, making it more a dream than a reality. What are some of
today’s obstacles to achieving the American Dream? Which groups of people have or
have had trouble attaining "The American Dream"? Why? Use all three texts to support
your ideas.
Use SPECIFIC EVIDENCE from the texts, prior knowledge, etc. to support your ideas
– that is QUOTATIONS and PARAPHRASING. Do not rely on just one text to support
your ideas – this will result in only partial credit. Please DO NOT SUMMARIZE the
events of the text.
The Essay:
2-3 pages. You must follow MLA formatting guidelines (double-space, Times New
Roman 12-point font, 1” margins, headers, in-text citations for quotes).