Search for Identity

How do I fit into society?

Who am I?

Individualism

Human Independence

Individual Rights

Individual Desires

Free will

Freedom

American ideal

All people created equal

The Journey

Setting moves and changes

Character grows up as he/she travels

Rite of Passage

Reaction to major life events

Examples: Birth, Death, Marriage, Loss of a Loved One, Graduation

Frontier

Unexplored area

Survival story

Adventure

Moral Struggle

The characters struggle to understand or accept an idea

Rebellion vs. Conformity

The character fights against “fitting in” and accepting the old ways

The American Dream or the American Nightmare

America-land of opportunity and dreams

The DREAM is fulfilled

The DREAM becomes a nightmare

Innocence or Innocence Lost

Tragic event causes the character to lose his childhood innocence very quickly

The tragic event continues to affect the character

Coming of Age

Character moves from childhood to teenage years

Character may grow from a teen to an adult