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.