Chapters 18-22: Family Discussion Reflection

RESEARCH

Summary

I found an article about political prisoners taken by Adolf Hitler during the second world war. It discussed how communists, democrats, Jehovah's Witnesses, and homosexuals were persecuted simply for challenging Hitler's political, social, and spiritual beliefs.

Evaluation

In chapter 20 of The Grapes of Wrath, Tom Joad questions why workers don't protest against unjust landowners, and he is told that those men are arrested and put on a "blacklist", which ensures that they would have no chance of finding work in California. This reminded me of a pattern of political oppression in which a absolute monarch persecutes political opponents in order to suppress a revolt, which is exactly what Hitler did during World War II. On a lesser scale, landowner had rebels blacklisted to keep workers in check.  

MLA Citation

"POLITICAL PRISONERS: Nazi Persecution of Political Opponents." Holocaust Encyclopedia. United States Holocaust Memorial Museum, 10 June 2013. Web. 19 Dec. 2013.

PHILOSOPHICAL QUESTIONING

1. What causes humans to disregard moral obligations?

2. When are revolutions necessary?

3. Despite the risk of imprisonment or blacklisting, why do many people still revolt against oppression?

REFLECTION

1. The most memorable moment of my discussion with my mother was when we discussed my first question, and came to the same conclusion: greed. It seems to be human nature to do anything for money when presented with the opportunity. 

2. An especially satisfying moment of our discussion was when discussing my third question. We discussed how people still manage to revolt against oppression because they have nothing to lose. When oppression is at its worst, being persecuted or blacklisted isn't even a threat because people can't imagine anything worse, and therefore revolt despite the risk. Despite this being a depressing topic, it gives me hope for the worst of situations. 

3. I was very satisfied in my questions this week because they related to both The Grapes of Wrath and the article. They also led the discussion in the desired direction. 

3.

Chapters 10-17: Family Discussion Reflection

RESEARCH

Summary

I found an article about an amnesty passed by President Obama allowing for young illegal immigrants to be legalized in the United States, allowing them to legally work and attend American schools. However, the author was concerned that this new large wave of citizens would make it tougher for preexisting US citizens to find jobs and get into universities.
Evaluation

This connects to The Grapes of Wrath because this job competition is very similar to when the wave of Mid-Westerners arrived in California, all looking for a limited number of jobs (described to Pa Joad by the man at the camp in chapter 16).

MLA Citation

Constable, Pamela. "Young Illegal Immigrants' Amnesty Could Tighten Competition for Jobs, College." Washingtonpost.com. Washington Post, 15 June 2012. Web. 12 Dec. 2013.

         PHILOSOPHICAL QUESTIONING

            1. What does already living in a certain area entitle you to?

            2. Do desperate people deserve to compete for outside jobs?

            3. What factors determine who gets the job in times of competition?

      REFLECTION

            1. The most memorable part of my discussion with my father was when he described how in the Dust Bowl, there was a third party involved. There wasn't just the Dust Bowl refugees and the Californians competing over Californian jobs, there was also the employers who just want the cheapest labor possible, which tends to lean towards the most desperate party.

            2. Our discussion about the opportunities for both the immigrants and the Dust Bowl escapees was especially satisfying. We discussed how despite increasing competition for others who also deserve jobs, desperate groups (especially those who didn't cause their own misfortune) deserve equal opportunities. 

            3. Although I prefer my current question's to last week's questions, I would like to do a better job of understanding the type of discussion I want to have before the fact. Using this information, I will write my questions to guide to conversation in the right direction.

Chapters 1-9: Family Discussion Reflection

RESEARCH

Summary

I found a study about the difficulties of finding a job after being released from prison. The study found that it was difficult due to the loss of work skills and the unwillingness of employers to hire the formerly incarcerated. Within eight months of being released from prison, only 45% of former prison inmates were currently employed. On average, only 30% of post-release income was from legal employment, while 66% came from family and friends.

Evaluation

This text connects to the assigned reading because when the reader is first introduced to Tom Joad, he is fresh out of prison. He was planning on working for his parents, which is the primary way ex-convicts make money according to the study I researched. 

MLA Citation

Debus, Sara, Christy Visher, and Jennifer Yahner. "Employment after Prison: A Longitudinal Study of Releases in Three States." Urban Institute. Justice Policy Center, Oct. 2008. Web. 4 Dec. 2013.

PHILOSOPHICAL QUESTIONING

1. When and when aren't second chances appropriate?

2. What roles do friends and family play in initiating second chances?

3. What factors affect one's ability to start over?

REFLECTION

1. The most memorable moment of my discussion with a family member (my mom) was when we were discussing the third question I had prepared. We began talking about how ex-convicts surrounded by poverty are trapped because of how difficult it is to get a job. When a former inmate can't rely on a job or family for income, options are thin and times are desperate, much like Tom Joad in the first nine chapters of The Grapes of Wrath.

2. My mother's forgiving viewpoints on second chances were very satisfying (especially being her son). We discussed how everyone only has one life, and there are very few crimes in which the criminal doesn't deserve another try. If that person can change for the better, new opportunities should be possible.

3. I believe my questions might have been slightly too general. I could have made them more directly relate to both my research and the novel. I think the questions mostly leaned towards my research, and not so much The Grapes of Wrath, especially since my research basically only connected to a few of the nine chapters.