Describe how the balance between specific stories about the Joad family and broader description of the migration of Dust Bowl farmers impacts the novel as a whole.
In the past century, many humans have migrated due to politics, war, climate change, and recessions. One major American migration, brought on by the Great Depression, was described throughout Steinbeck’s novel—The Grapes of Wrath. Focusing on the Joad family, Steinbeck sums up the Dust Bowl farmers’ experiences due to economics and personal tragedies. One influential portion of the novel is depicted through specific stories about the Joad family versus a broader description of the Dust Bowl farmers’ migration. Personally, I believe the broader description of the farmers’ migration complimented the Joad’s story. However, the Joad’s story was completely farfetched. Due to the great amount of deaths and fights, it makes me ask—would all of these occurrences happen to solely one family? And if so, how frequently?
People often journey to other places. This Thursday I plan to travel to Greece, and yet, in my opinion, there will be little or no large complications during the trip. Not only that; even when people have to leave their home to move somewhere else, they don’t endure challenges and deaths as the Joad family has. For example, in Chapter 13, Grampa dies theoretically from a stroke, but is believed to have died from a broken heart due to his dog’s death. Personally I do not believe that would happen. My grandpa is emotionally attached to his dog, Norah, and if she died, he would not go to that level of anxiety. Think about it—you must have had a pet that has died, and yet you are still alive. Yet because Grapes of Wrath provides such an extreme amount of drama, they had to include Grampa’s death. It just seems too surreal—a family member that coincidentally dies in the first couple of days of their California trip.
When the story continues on, Steinbeck shifts from the Joad family to a description of the tenant farmers and their flight to California. For the majority of the chapter, Steinbeck reiterates how much their homes and possessions mean to the farmers. From the chapter, I get a broad view of what the farmers went through at the time, especially since I know Steinbeck wrote The Grapes of Wrath during that era. I personally think the broader view of the Dust Bowl farmers help explain the Joad’s case a little more.
However, my feeling is quickly diminished when Steinbeck switches back to the Joad’s story. As they reach California, another character dies—Grandma. My mind now questions why two of the characters have died. Two important members of the family. Not only that; fights and riots start, Rose of Sharon loses her baby, and at the very end of the book, rain floods their current home. In turn, they have to walk through water to a dry barn. All of these events are coincidental and too dramatic for the novel’s content.
Ultimately, the switch between the Joad family and the Dust Bowl farmers does not flatter the novel as a whole. It creates a confusing parallel story, that gives the Joad family too much to handle. With an abnormal amount of deaths, fights, loss, and murders, it’s no wonder that the parallel stands out.
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
Thursday, March 11, 2010
12
What were "public works projects"? What famous ones were part of the New Deal? What public works projects would you recommend for our society today?
The Public Works Administration focused on reconstructing areas by building dams and bridges that gave unemployed people jobs. It lowered unemployment rates and pushed it back to pre-Great Depression levels.
The PWA spent 3.3 billion dollars to build 34, 599 projects over the course of it's first two years.Some of the most famous projects organized by the PWA are the Triborough Bridge, the Lincoln Tunnel, the Overseas Highway, and the Pennsylvania Railroad. As for local projects, it built schools, hospitals, and courthouses.
If I could recommend any projects for our society today, it would be focused on community service projects- like helping Haiti or Chile. Instead of spending money to send militia there, we could send people with Peace Corps-like jobs to help orphanages and communities. Or maybe we could create energy saving jobs like the PWA did during the Great Depression. I think that because of the climate change, we could use energy efficient power sources like dams, wind mills, and more.
The Public Works Administration focused on reconstructing areas by building dams and bridges that gave unemployed people jobs. It lowered unemployment rates and pushed it back to pre-Great Depression levels.
The PWA spent 3.3 billion dollars to build 34, 599 projects over the course of it's first two years.Some of the most famous projects organized by the PWA are the Triborough Bridge, the Lincoln Tunnel, the Overseas Highway, and the Pennsylvania Railroad. As for local projects, it built schools, hospitals, and courthouses.
If I could recommend any projects for our society today, it would be focused on community service projects- like helping Haiti or Chile. Instead of spending money to send militia there, we could send people with Peace Corps-like jobs to help orphanages and communities. Or maybe we could create energy saving jobs like the PWA did during the Great Depression. I think that because of the climate change, we could use energy efficient power sources like dams, wind mills, and more.
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
Novel 1
Many works of literature deal with political or social issues. Choose a novel or play that focuses on a political or social issue. Then write an essay in which you analyze how the author uses literary elements to explore this issue and explain how the issue contributes to the meaning of the work as a whole. Do not merely summarize the plot.
Imagine a world where women's bodies are recycled—used only for reproduction. A place where love is blocked from society because social classes depict who you are, who you can associate with, and what you do. A place where men's wives count on mistresses for children. A place completely opposite from our standard morals.
The Handmaid’s Tale is a futuristic story that involves political and social conflict between feminine classes. In this story, the economy spiraled down, and because the government failed their countries, leaders formed an extreme hierarchy, much similar to the “olden days.” Families were torn apart and forced into homes that were ruled by “Commanders.” Commanders were the head of the household. They and the Wives all counted on the Marthas, who were cooks, and more importantly the Handmaids. Handmaids were depended on by Wives because they were the “key ingredient” to success.
In fact, Handmaids were depended on by the entire household, because they had to give the Commander and Wife a child. You see, Wives were commonly infertile and because marriage was destroyed for everyone besides them, they were needed to continue the human race. If the Handmaids did not prove successful, they were transferred to another household. If they did not prove successful after three transfers, they would be sent to the Unwomen, where they would work in hazardous areas.
The social conflict with the Handmaids mainly revolves around their relationship with the Wives. In the novel, one particular Handmaid, Offred, describes her awkward conflict with one of the Wives. Since Offred has to give a child to the Commander, she has to have silent and impersonal sex with him, while the Wife sits there holding her hand. As the story continues, the Wive hates her until she comes to realization that she needs a child. She secretly pays another man to have sex with Offred because she is afraid the Commander is infertile as well.
Another social conflict the Handmaids encounter is their freedom. Everyone is constantly watching them, and they cannot express their opinions, beliefs, or personality. They cannot use soap, they cannot do their hair, and they have to cover themselves with a long, thick dress and bonnet. During the story, the Commander asks Offred to secretly see him at night, just to discuss games and what she likes. This, under all the circumstances, is completely against the rules. Nonetheless, it’s abrupt and surprising to Offred since the Commanders have always ignored Handmaids and since this is a new sense of freedom.
Social and political conflict swarms the Handmaids, and in their world of pressure, many are sent away. The conflicts between Handmaids and Wives, Wives and Commanders, Handmaids and Marthas, and Commanders and Handmaids all contribute to the dystopic and futuristic aura the author creates.
Imagine a world where women's bodies are recycled—used only for reproduction. A place where love is blocked from society because social classes depict who you are, who you can associate with, and what you do. A place where men's wives count on mistresses for children. A place completely opposite from our standard morals.
The Handmaid’s Tale is a futuristic story that involves political and social conflict between feminine classes. In this story, the economy spiraled down, and because the government failed their countries, leaders formed an extreme hierarchy, much similar to the “olden days.” Families were torn apart and forced into homes that were ruled by “Commanders.” Commanders were the head of the household. They and the Wives all counted on the Marthas, who were cooks, and more importantly the Handmaids. Handmaids were depended on by Wives because they were the “key ingredient” to success.
In fact, Handmaids were depended on by the entire household, because they had to give the Commander and Wife a child. You see, Wives were commonly infertile and because marriage was destroyed for everyone besides them, they were needed to continue the human race. If the Handmaids did not prove successful, they were transferred to another household. If they did not prove successful after three transfers, they would be sent to the Unwomen, where they would work in hazardous areas.
The social conflict with the Handmaids mainly revolves around their relationship with the Wives. In the novel, one particular Handmaid, Offred, describes her awkward conflict with one of the Wives. Since Offred has to give a child to the Commander, she has to have silent and impersonal sex with him, while the Wife sits there holding her hand. As the story continues, the Wive hates her until she comes to realization that she needs a child. She secretly pays another man to have sex with Offred because she is afraid the Commander is infertile as well.
Another social conflict the Handmaids encounter is their freedom. Everyone is constantly watching them, and they cannot express their opinions, beliefs, or personality. They cannot use soap, they cannot do their hair, and they have to cover themselves with a long, thick dress and bonnet. During the story, the Commander asks Offred to secretly see him at night, just to discuss games and what she likes. This, under all the circumstances, is completely against the rules. Nonetheless, it’s abrupt and surprising to Offred since the Commanders have always ignored Handmaids and since this is a new sense of freedom.
Social and political conflict swarms the Handmaids, and in their world of pressure, many are sent away. The conflicts between Handmaids and Wives, Wives and Commanders, Handmaids and Marthas, and Commanders and Handmaids all contribute to the dystopic and futuristic aura the author creates.
Monday, March 8, 2010
Thursday, March 4, 2010
10
Do you believe that the Grapes of Wrath successfully establishes sympathy for the plight of Dust Bowl farmers? Why or why not?
In my opinion, the book represents sympathy for many of the Dust Bowl farmers, especially those who had to move to California. It gives a representation of loss. Family loss, house loss, possession loss, and dignity loss. What I mean by dignity loss is how they become the minority, where Californians pick on them and call them names. It also represents how much sacrifice each person gave up, and how stubborn they could be. Like how Mulley let his family go without him so he could "look after his farm."
In my opinion, the book represents sympathy for many of the Dust Bowl farmers, especially those who had to move to California. It gives a representation of loss. Family loss, house loss, possession loss, and dignity loss. What I mean by dignity loss is how they become the minority, where Californians pick on them and call them names. It also represents how much sacrifice each person gave up, and how stubborn they could be. Like how Mulley let his family go without him so he could "look after his farm."
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
9
Post a thoughtful reflection on how you have performed within the numerous freedoms associated with Ampersand. Then post a thoughtful reflection on how you have performed within the numerous structures associated with Ampersand.
During Ampersand, I think that my class has gotten a lot of freedom with what we can write about. I think I've performed pretty well in that area because I've created a topic for my article that relates to "the student journal of school and work." I think I've used my time pretty well to write, but I think we need more time to actually work on the project in class.
We need more structure given to us. Maybe a set amount of time for Ampersand and a set amount of time for Grapes of Wrath. That way we'll have less homework, and we can use our time wisely to create a better, more critiqued article.
During Ampersand, I think that my class has gotten a lot of freedom with what we can write about. I think I've performed pretty well in that area because I've created a topic for my article that relates to "the student journal of school and work." I think I've used my time pretty well to write, but I think we need more time to actually work on the project in class.
We need more structure given to us. Maybe a set amount of time for Ampersand and a set amount of time for Grapes of Wrath. That way we'll have less homework, and we can use our time wisely to create a better, more critiqued article.
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
History 1
Imagine you are an advisor to President Obama. Write a letter to him in which you advise him as to how to succeed in the "Great Recession" by using FDR in the Great Depression as an example. Your advice should be presented as strategy for his first (and possible second) term as President. You should consider strategy in the following areas: US economy, relationship with Congress, relationship w/American society, as a political leader (getting laws through Congress, leading his party, etc.), and establishing himself and his ideas in American history. FDR provides clear examples in all of these areas and should be the basis of your advice for Obama's present & future. Cite all of your sources. Also, consider this a possible Ampersand piece.
Dear Mr. President,
In a time like this, our nation is in critical need of hope and economic reconstruction. It is not necessary to console with words, but instead act upon promises, create relationships, and by doing so—establish yourself in American history.One inspiring and influential past leader, who has successfully mended a broken economy, is Franklin Delano Roosevelt. I will frequently refer to him.
The first major improvement we need to act upon is creating bills that perfect insurance policies, savings accounts, and financial issues. During the Great Depression, FDR created the Social Security Act. This policy reshaped the government immensely, and allowed elderly people to retire. If we create bills, this will strengthen the economy faster.
The second thing we need to do is cut the amount of money banks can lend. Since Americans have taken loans, many have not been able to pay the money back. This not only affects their family and credit, but it affects the bank, the natural flow of the economy, and in the larger picture—the nation. If we cut the amount banks can lend, we will then prevent future economic downfalls due to loans, foreclosures, and bankruptcy. History has repeated itself, and we see that begin during the Great Depression and now repeat in the “Great Recession.”
Another important thing we need to do is create a relationship with our democratic party. Many liberals have lost hope because your Medicare plans are constantly rejected by Congress, which leads me to my next point.
It is crucial that we create a relationship with Congress. We need to gain their trust by listening to their opinions and feedback, and having evidence to support our proposals.
By following these tips and by integrating your own opinions into them, I can assure you that the economy will slowly improve. Thank you for your time.
Sincerely,
Dani Toscano
Dear Mr. President,
In a time like this, our nation is in critical need of hope and economic reconstruction. It is not necessary to console with words, but instead act upon promises, create relationships, and by doing so—establish yourself in American history.One inspiring and influential past leader, who has successfully mended a broken economy, is Franklin Delano Roosevelt. I will frequently refer to him.
The first major improvement we need to act upon is creating bills that perfect insurance policies, savings accounts, and financial issues. During the Great Depression, FDR created the Social Security Act. This policy reshaped the government immensely, and allowed elderly people to retire. If we create bills, this will strengthen the economy faster.
The second thing we need to do is cut the amount of money banks can lend. Since Americans have taken loans, many have not been able to pay the money back. This not only affects their family and credit, but it affects the bank, the natural flow of the economy, and in the larger picture—the nation. If we cut the amount banks can lend, we will then prevent future economic downfalls due to loans, foreclosures, and bankruptcy. History has repeated itself, and we see that begin during the Great Depression and now repeat in the “Great Recession.”
Another important thing we need to do is create a relationship with our democratic party. Many liberals have lost hope because your Medicare plans are constantly rejected by Congress, which leads me to my next point.
It is crucial that we create a relationship with Congress. We need to gain their trust by listening to their opinions and feedback, and having evidence to support our proposals.
By following these tips and by integrating your own opinions into them, I can assure you that the economy will slowly improve. Thank you for your time.
Sincerely,
Dani Toscano
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