GOW Reflection

Malaika Hall 

Hon. English/per.3

 January 29th 2014 

Socratic Seminar Final Reflection

                   In our Socratic Seminar we analyzed the “Grapes of Wrath Chapters 15-30 and tried our best to answer questions about the American Dream according to the novel. From this seminar I was able to get a better understanding of the book and what the real function of man is. For example I learned that the function of man is not really its purpose or goals but its sole reason for living. In our discussion it was also stated that based on the great depression and todays statistics the purpose of man is not really realistic. This was very similar to what I previously believed and with our ability to ask our own questions we were able to go deeper inside the novel.
                  One statement that I agreed with the most was that John Steinbeck included a drought in the beginning of the book and a flood near the end to symbolize new birth and hint that the family will survive. Something I didn’t agree with was that the American Dream is much more achievable than it was during the great depression. I disagree with that because it is not even close to achievable if millions of people don’t have food to eat. Something I would say is that the Joads were a good family and it wouldn’t be bad to try to be similar.
                   In my opinion allowing us to create our questions for this novel was a real improvement. That way we could really determine what type of discussion we had. This most likely helped us to be more interested in our own topics.
                   Something I believed needed a lot of improving was to have a half time to really see from our other peers what we could improve on. This could give us another perspective before our time is up.

Chapters 23-27: Family Discussion Reflection

Research
-In the article "Survivors of the Great Depression" the author  provides first hand excerpts of people recalling their lives during the great depression. The author, Neenah Ellis talks about how survivors of the great depression are much stronger because of it. One of the people she interviewed remembered having the choice of everyone getting half pay, or half the people getting laid off. many of the migrant workers simply chose to be half paid. During this time period there was an overall feeling of everyone helping each other. Overall Neenah Ellis allows her readers to really understand what the great depression was like to people who actually survived it. Not just the summaries of people who studied it.
- This text is connected to the reading because during this portion of the book because Ma goad talks about this sense of community with other migrants. And even what it was like when another non-migrant person spoke to her like a human being. We see  the unfair hatred that went on during the depression but also how the key to so many's survival was everyone sticking together.

        Busk, Judy. "Migration: The Theme of the Great Depression." Migration: The Theme of the Great Depression. New Deal Network, n.d. Web. 10 Dec. 2013.

Philosophical Questioning
-Present day many people who see each other everyday rarely do as much as say good morning to each other. If there was a similar situation where everyone had to work together to survive. How do you think present day Americans react?
- In the book the "Grapes of Wrath" the Joad Family breaks a few rules to protect Tom from being arrested. Would you take similar actions?
- In life many things that seem like bad luck can actually be a blessing in disguise. Can you share any examples?
Reflection

- After my discussion with my mother her most memorable response was to question three. My mother surprisingly had more answers than I predicted. She talked about accidents, injuries, things breaking and other stories she heard from family members and friends. Seeing how similar my mothers answers were to my answers was especially interesting. For example while answering the first question she predicted that overall man would do what they had to do and probably get back to the ways of a community. I could improve my questions by asking more questions throughout my discussion, and maybe even get her to ask me more questions.

PIA Socratic Seminar Reflection

Malaika Hall

Hon. English/per.3

January 13^th 2014

Socratic Seminar Final Reflection

            In our Socratic Seminar we had a discussion about our answers to PIA. This PIA primarily focused on our ability to analyze speeches. This Seminar reassured the answers I chose and in some cases changed my whole view on the question. For example I still believe that “life is unfair” is the theme of the third passage, while many of my other classmates felt the theme was about justice. From this seminar I was able to see different point of views and ways of thinking that may help me on the next PIA.

            One statement that I agreed with the most was how many of these questions are worded in a way where the answer is almost up to interpretation.” Something I didn’t agree with was that the basic root of America’s problems was corrupt banking. Social unrest would be a more suitable answer. Something I would say is that author of the poem in the PIA’s purpose was not to show how much of a struggle poverty is and how only people who have experienced it can understand his pain.

            In my opinion allowing each group to analyze at least one of the excerpts was really helpful. That way the second group could see even more ways they can be more open to other answers while take these types of tests. This most likely helped our over all test taking strategies and skills.

            Knowing the answers to the test would be very helpful, and allow us to compare our thinking to its exactness. It would also be helpful if focused on the questions most people got wrong. This might help to save time.

Chapters 18-22: Family Discussion

Research
-In the article "Migrant Camps" the author  explains what a migrant camp was and what happened to these camps throughout history. The author, Mattie Gibson talks about how over half of the people residing in these camps were former tenant farmers or sharecroppers. To city residents these camps were considered breeding places for diseases and fugitives. Some camps were better kept than others and the most famous camps were called Elm Grove and May Avenue. Overall Mattie Gibson answer's the who, what, when, where, why, and how's of Migrant camps during the great depression.
- This text is connected to the reading because during this portion of the book we get into the Joad's' lives inside of a camp. We see  the conditions of the camps from The Joad's  point of view and how it is a kind of bitter sweet situation. Mattie Gibson also shows an outsider view of the history of these camps.

        Busk, Judy. "Migration: The Theme of the Great Depression." Migration: The Theme of the Great Depression. New Deal Network, n.d. Web. 10 Dec. 2013.

Philosophical Questioning
-Throughout history the word "camp" held many connotations. It could be a place for children or a place of captivity, how do these Migrant camps compare.
- Living in a recession very similar to the great depression how can you relate.
- Instead of trying to find a job many people just decided to live off the land. Would you do this and if so why?
Reflection

- After my discussion with my mother her most memorable response was to question two. My mother felt that there is no real way she could possibly compare to the types of things people living during the Great Depression went through. Seeing how different my mothers answers were to how I thought she would respond was especially interesting. For example while answering the third question she simply stated how she would do whatever she felt was best for her family, and if that meant living off the land thats what they would have to do. I could improve my questions by making up to interpretation and maybe asking more than one person.

Chapters 10-17:Family Discussion Reflection

Research
-In the article "Always Lend a Helping Hand" the author gives a little more insight about lives during the great depression and what the lives of al the migrating people entailed. The author, Judy Busk establishes migration as the theme of her article, and uses quotes to show the horrible circumstances involved in the great depression. overall Judy Busk answer's the who, what, when, where, why, and how's of the great depression
wages, and discrimination.
- This text is connected to the reading because during this portion of the book we get into the Joads' actual movement across America. We see what type of situations they start to face and how it is affecting them. Judy simply gives an outsiders view of what happened

        Busk, Judy. "Migration: The Theme of the Great Depression." Migration: The Theme of the Great Depression. New Deal Network, n.d. Web. 10 Dec. 2013.

Philosophical Questioning
-How would you feel if a family member suddenly died and you had to bury them on the spot?
- A great percentage of those migrating across America turned out to be in there youth. Why do you think many older people stayed behind?
- If you were President Roosevelt what would be your approach to trying to save America.
Reflection

- After my discussion with my mother her most memorable response was to question one. My mother felt that she would be overwhelmed with despair but would have no choice but to move on for the rest of her remaining family. Seeing how different my mothers answers were to my answers was especially interesting. For example while answering the second question she was more focused on helping the farmers, and stopping so many of them from migrating while i was more focused on the country as a whole and making sure everyone was better off. I could improve my questions by making sure they are very detailed, and also more controversial

Chapters 1-9: Family Discussion Reflection

Research
-In the article "Mass of Exodus From the Plains" the author explains the life of the 2.5 million people who migrated to the west in search of opportunities, and their life afterwards. Almost 1/4 of the population either abandoned or were forced off there land. But once they reached their destination realized California and other places was not as promised. Many faced poverty, working for very low wages, and discrimination.
- This text is connected to the reading because Tom Joad and his family are of the thousands of families forced off their land as a result of foreclosure. Also since I am at the beginning  of the book this article provides insight into what type of hardships Joad and his family might face.

             PBS. "Mass Exodus From the Plains." PBS. Cpb. 04 Dec. 2013 <http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/americanexperience/features/general-article/dustbowl-mass-exodus-plains/>.

Philosophical Questioning
-How would you feel if you had to blindly pack all of your things and go to a place you had only heard stories about?
-During this time period American born citizens were treated equally (or even worse) than immigrants from other countries. If that happened to day how do you think people would react?
- In a time where the Dust Bowl was just one of the many devastating aspects of the great depression, Roosevelt  was seen as the savior come to fix their problems. How do you think this affected the election.

Reflection
- After my discussion with my sister her most memorable response was to question three. My sister made the conclusion that not only was it going to hard for Hoover to be re-elected as president but also for President Roosevelt to live up to  what many Americans expected of him. Seeing how different my sisters answers were to my answers was especially interesting. For example she answered to my second question that nothing would really happen because that sometimes does happen today. I could improve my questions by making them relate more to the person i am asking, and also making questions they would really have to take the time and think about.