Mr paul I am going to do the comparative essay, i already have some sources, but i have to talk to miss irene to see in what part of it she is interested. i also need to talk to you, because i don't understand very well the instructions, for the other entries that are in your blog. the comparative essay of the migrant workers in California and the nicaraguans in Costa Rica is going to be 3 pages, double spaced and for both English and social studies thanks==== DA

Bibliografical sources: Comparative essay

For the comparative essay: I will compare and contrast the situation between the migrant workers in United States during the Dust Bowl and the current situation with migrant Nicaraguan workers in Costa Rica. To do so I will use sources such as:
· The Grapes of Wrath: mainly the intercalary paragraphs and use examples of situations of the Joad family. Steinbeck, John. The Grapes of Wrath. New York, USA: Pinguin Books, 2002.
Personal experience of Mercedes’ (a Nicaraguan) situation: she is a maid in a Costa Rican family and her entire family is in Nicaragua

For knowledge on the historical background: “Historical Background”. USQ Artxworks. 31-10-08. http://www.usq.edu.au/performancecentre/education/thegrapesofwrath/
historical.htm.

Sources handed out by Miss Irene. *She hasn’t given them to us.

Information of migrant people from Nicaragua in Costa Rica: “Una situación de vulnerabilidad social: El cantón de Upala y los inmigrantes Nicaragüenses”. 31-10-08. Informe Estado de la Nación. http://www.estadonacion.or.cr/Info1998/nacion4/rec-7-7.htm.

These pages includes important information on aspects such as education, health, statistics and jobs for migrant workers in Costa Rica: “La inmigracion en Costa Rica: Dinamicas, Desarrollo y Desafios”. OPEC-UNFCO. 31-10-08. http://www.ministeriodesalud.go.cr/derechos%20humanos/migracion/inmigracr.pdf / and “Migrantes Nicaraguenses en Costa Rica 2000”. 31-10-08. http://ccp.ucr.ac.cr/investi/migranicas.htm

--Ale Lopez

Character Analysis in depth: 3

Character Analysis in depth: 2

Comparative Essay

I will compare the situation of the Dust Bowl and its effect on the farmers that became migrant workers to the current situation with Nicaragua whose population has migrated to Costa Rica. First I will analyze the causes of such movement and compare and contrast such (mainly for radical economic situations. And in the case of Nicaragua: for ongoing political instability—both lack of job sources). Secondly, compare the change in the life styles for these people (What they went through: examples are in intercalary chapters that explain how the values, fear and highway changed the men). Thirdly, I will explain the living conditions of such people: their work, the little opportunity, the hostility of the place they migrated to and the harsh life styles and conditions. Last, I will compare the situation of the family Joad to that of a maid here in Costa Rica who is a Nicaraguan (Her trip although very different to that of the Joads, resembles Ma’s life, changes, determination and devotion; as well as many of the difficult situations such as extreme poverty and scarcity of jobs).
---Alejandra Lopez

Character Analysis Outline

For the character analysis I will analyze Ma Joad following the outline below:
1. Introduction
a. General historical background on the book and the situation in which it develops
b. General characteristics
i. Gender, age, name
ii. Physical appearance
iii. *I will probably use a quote in this part
c. General physical and personal strengths and weaknesses
i. Physical: strength and capacity to perform all the tasks… tiresome
ii. Personal strengths: dedication, emotional strength and great will power
2. 2nd Paragraph
a. Feelings and behaviors towards other characters
i. The love for her family
ii. The selflessness and generosity
iii. The unity
b. Feelings of other characters herself
i. The reliance on her
ii. The love, trust and admiration towards her
3. 3rd Paragraph
a. Personality (at the beginning) and philosophical views and ideas
b. Her change throughout the book
c. Special situation which she encounters
4. Conclusion
a. Summary of Ma’s achievements and personality throughout the book
b. My opinion and analysis on Ma Joad

---Ale Lopez

Ma Joad Character analysis: Positivism

Ma constantly encounters situations in which she has to take decisions on what to think, who to believe and what to do. But Ma's positive quality makes her think of a good thing, that sometimes would solve her problem or just not affect the family in any way. Like when the religious fanatic came and told Rose of Sharon that her baby was going to die, Ma knew what she believed in and convinced herself and Rose of Sharon nothing was going to go wrong, and even comes to convince her to go dance. Ma tries to think that everything its gonna be ok, and better times are always coming, and this is what gives faith to the whole Joad family. page 409-410

----DA

Ma Joad Character analysis: Her Determination as a Mother

Ma Joad's personality is admirable in my point of view, as a crucial member of the Joad family she is always seeking for everyone's well being and taking care of all of the members of her family. Everything that goes on around the house usually depends directly or indirectly on Ma. I believe she is the most important member of the family, and the one who holds everyone together. Her being the member of the Joads, who can never be missing when decisions are being taken, the one who promotes values into the family and reminds them all never to steal no matter how tempting the situation may get, always give the best of yourself and be generous with others etc. Ma also has a very important quality, because she always has hope and faith that things will get better, but is as-well down to earth to their current situation. Ma Joad is the trunk that holds the family together in my point of view.

----DA

Ma Joad Character analysis: Love to her Family

Ma's love to her family is undeniable and noticeable threw-out the book, how she advices Rose of Sharon because she is worried and feeling down about of all the trouble and loneliness that awaits her. Ma tells her that it may hurt but, that happens but with time it goes away and that you have to bare with your own problems and learn from them. You can see how Ma lovingly advices her daughter while taking care of grandma and doing other chores for the rest of the family. 

-----DA