Final answer:
An alternative ending to 'American History' can either resolve Elena's conflict, offering closure and reflection, or leave it open for further contemplation, suggesting her journey continues.
Step-by-step explanation:
When crafting an alternative ending to a narrative, such as the one faced by the protagonist Elena in 'American History', it is crucial to consider how the resolution or continuation of the main conflict will impact the reader. A resolution provides closure, tying up loose ends and frequently returning to a sense of normalcy, but with a change influenced by the events of the story. This is known as the dénouement. On the other hand, leaving the conflict open encourages the reader to ponder the unresolved issues, possibly reflecting on the theme's broader implications or forming their own conclusions about the outcome. In the context of 'American History', an alternative ending could resolve the conflict by showing Elena overcoming her struggles, learning a significant lesson, or it could leave the conflict open by having her face an ongoing challenge that suggests her journey is not over. Either approach could lead to a reflection that examines the lesson learned or the broader social issues present in the narrative