ASSIGNMENT 3

1. Protagonist
Sara is the assistant manager of a small shop that has recently been bought by a state-wide chain.
Training new employees has always been her favorite part of her job. By taking one night class
each quarter she has competed a liberal arts degree (B.A.) Her social life is limited to taking her
elderly German Shepherd, Sampson, to obedience classes and competitions and working with
Scouts who are interested in obedience training for their dogs. She is forty-four and a widow for
ten years with one son who is about to start his junior year in college.

2. Desire
Sara wants to be a teacher and the college has just announced a special program leading to a
teaching credential in twelve months.

3. Conflict
The program is full-time and expensive.

4. Attempt at solution
She applies for a grant and a second mortgage on her home.

5. But
She can't get the second mortgage because she won't have any income for the year and no
guarantee of a job at the end.

6. So
She puts the house up for sale.

7. Possible complications
The employer offers her a promotion
The son throws a fit because she won't be able to help him as much.
The school turns her down on the grounds that she wouldn't be able to get a teaching job. (They
claim age isn't a factor, but....)
The son offers to drop out for the year and work to help out and this throws her into feeling guilty
that she has failed to put him first.

Comments? Margaret I. Carr

Instructors Comments
Back