(Hook) How does one either fail or prevail in difficult situations? (Bridge) In The Old Man and the Sea and The Glass Menagerie, Ernest Hemingway and Tennessee Williams provide two characters who answer this question. (Thesis) Williams' "Amanda" and Hemingway's "Santiago" deal with similar struggles, but Santiago presents a superior way of handling and persevering in tough circumstances.

(TS) Both Santiago and Amanda share many similar characteristics and traits that play a major role in defining their personalities. (Major A) Both characters are optimistic, and give encouragement to themselves and others. (Minor 1) Santiago demonstrates optimism when he tells himself, "keep awake and steer, you may have much luck yet"(Hemingway 116). (Minor 2) Amanda is stunned when Laura tells her that no gentlemen will come, and she replies, "not one gentleman caller? It can't be true!" (Williams 35). (Minor 3) By being optimistic, Santiago is able to keep fighting despite his unfortunate...