Analyze what Davis seems to be saying about the American Dream and how we can reach our full potential. Is her story challenging the idea of the dream as the successful expression of ourselves that can overcome all other influences? Does Davis' story show that Emerson's ideal of the artist as a non-conformist is not really attainable or practical? Does the story demonstrate that it takes more than just self-reliance to be successful? Consider Dr. May's ideas about self-reliance as you develop your essay.