Question
I Am American
by Jennifer Tibbets
(In the following, the cast no longer represents specific personas, but others that have made America their home. Each actor should begin speaking just before the previous actor has finished, so the speeches layer on top of one another.)
MAX LITTLEFOOT (Entering right and coming to stand at JULIANA'S right): I am American. My parents traveled from India to go to medical school.
JANE BRADFORD (Entering left and coming to stand at JULIANA'S left): I am American. My grandmother married a soldier who had been stationed in Japan.
TY SMITH (Entering right to stand beside MAX): I am American. My mother asked for political asylum from Cuba.
I Am American, by Jennifer Tibbetts © This play is reprinted from Plays, The Drama Magazine for Young People with the permission of the publisher Plays/Sterling Partners Inc. 897 Washington Street #600160, Newton, MA 02460
What can you conclude the playwright might be showing with this dramatic structure? (1 point)
that America is unique in forgetting the history of its citizens
that the American identity comes from many diverse individual voices
that Americans need to transcend past injustices to come together in unity
that a typical American behavior is neglecting to listen to others
by Jennifer Tibbets
(In the following, the cast no longer represents specific personas, but others that have made America their home. Each actor should begin speaking just before the previous actor has finished, so the speeches layer on top of one another.)
MAX LITTLEFOOT (Entering right and coming to stand at JULIANA'S right): I am American. My parents traveled from India to go to medical school.
JANE BRADFORD (Entering left and coming to stand at JULIANA'S left): I am American. My grandmother married a soldier who had been stationed in Japan.
TY SMITH (Entering right to stand beside MAX): I am American. My mother asked for political asylum from Cuba.
I Am American, by Jennifer Tibbetts © This play is reprinted from Plays, The Drama Magazine for Young People with the permission of the publisher Plays/Sterling Partners Inc. 897 Washington Street #600160, Newton, MA 02460
What can you conclude the playwright might be showing with this dramatic structure? (1 point)
that America is unique in forgetting the history of its citizens
that the American identity comes from many diverse individual voices
that Americans need to transcend past injustices to come together in unity
that a typical American behavior is neglecting to listen to others
Answers
GPT-4o mini
The dramatic structure of the text suggests that the playwright might be showing **that the American identity comes from many diverse individual voices**. Each character's introduction highlights their unique backgrounds and experiences, emphasizing the idea that the fabric of American identity is woven from various stories and histories, creating a collective narrative. The layering of voices as they speak simultaneously also reinforces the theme of diversity and interconnectedness within the American experience.