The Working Poor

What are the core problems for Willie and Sarah Goodell (from the yellow handout)? Who should be in charge of making their situation better? At which point does the government need to step in? Do you want to borrow this revealing book to read about the rest of the cases?

Remember to type your class period number in front of your comment.

Show your parent(s) this handout. What do they think of Willie and Sarah Goodell's situation?

Jane Gullickson, Esteemed Alum

Isn't Jane Gullickson great? My hope is that she infects us with her enthusiasm, abilities, and concern for others. Our loosely-planned agenda: 1) examining college life--at USD or any institution; 2) taking Spring Break to East St. Louis; and 3) working in government at Pierre.

Do these children have chances to be like Jane? What are the answers to making sure everyone in America truly has all the opportunities they deserve? And did you see the Challenger newspaper article about Jane (this week)?

The House on Mango Street Life Connection

Select one vignette that relates closely to a life experience you've had. Explain how your emotions were like Esperanza's.

Favorite Vignette

Which vignette is your favorite? Why is it stimulating for you? (Even if you do not enjoy Cisneros's book, surely one vignette resonates with you.)

If you comment here, the definitions you seek will appear at my plans page, perhaps in time for you to study them before the quiz.

Sandra Cisneros reading from The House on Mango Street

What is your response to this reading by Cisneros?

Harvard's Implicit Association Tests

How much do these Implicit Association Tests uncover? Everyone admits that there is a lot of mental activity occurring that we "are not aware of." With so many brilliant people on campus, the Harvard creators of these IATs must know what they are doing, right?

The House on Mango Street Question 2

To which vignette can you personally relate the most? How/why?

The Four "-isms"

Do you have any personal stories involving racism, sexism, classism, and/or ageism? Stories you've heard, seen, or been a part of? Esperanza holds the disadvantaged role in each form of prejudgment.

Solutions to complicated problems?

Did Martin Luther King, Jr., make a difference? Certainly some progress has been made. We know there are problems in the United States, but what can be done to solve them? How can poverty be eliminated? Hunger? Racism? Where do the solutions lie--in government policy? In each of our minds? Esperanza is able to examine her neighborhood with a critical, aware, and poetic eye. While reading, we are able to apply this to our lives and capabilities. Consider these websites, then respond: http://www.heritage.org/Research/Welfare/bg1713.cfm

http://www.povertyinamerica.psu.edu/

http://www.soundvision.com/Info/poor/statistics.asp

The House on Mango Street Question 1

How does Esperanza use similes, metaphors, and other figurative language techniques to improve the reading experience? (And do you realize that this book is taught in many colleges?)