The American Dream Continued

Remember what we learned about the "American Dream" last week. Write down: Alger's idea and Steinbeck's idea of the American dream. Which one do you most relate to? Why?

I) Play trailer for the movie Love Me Tender (1956). 

      Discuss in groups and write answers:

            1) What do you notice about Elvis’ performance style and           the character he is playing onscreen?          
            2) Why might a wide, popular audience be attracted to Elvis            in this film?

            3 ) What are some of the titles you see in the trailer?  How             do these titles support the real life story of Elvis’ emergence             as a superstar?

           

  II) Share with class

  III) Read  The Man in Black.  As a class, read a short biography of Cash detailing his persona as the “Man in Black” and his identification with marginalized people, including Native Americans and prisoners.

   IV) Share with class

    V) Play audio clip of “Folsom Prison Blues” (1968). While Cash first released the song in 1955, this version is from a live performance for the inmates of Folsom Prison and was recorded in 1968.

    VI) Discuss in groups:

            1) What kind of imagery does Cash evoke in the song?

            2)  In this recording, Cash is performing before an audience of inmates. However, “Folsom  Prison Blues” became one of his most popular and famous songs. Why do you think this song might appeal to a wider audience?

            3) Does this song seem to align more to Alger or Steinbeck’s vision of the American Dream? How?

      VII ) Share with class

Formative Assessment: S. write a paragraph summarizing what they have learned about the “American Dream” and what it means to various people.