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

Ma Joad Character analysis

"I know" Ma chucked "maybe that makes us tough. Rich fellas come up an' their kids ain't no good, an' they die out. But, Tom, we keep a-commin'. Don' you fret none, Tom.  A different time's commin'." page 280

Note: In this quote we can appreciate the hope Ma still had over time, specially when she started thinking of the good things in her family, like her kids. she has faith that good times will come and all their problems will be solved with time. 

----DA

Character Analysis: From Migrant to Human

When they arrive at Weedpatch (the government camp), Ma becomes sad and Pa notices it. She explains to him how on the road she had no time to think, to analyze. She became one with the movement; but now that she was here and the people had been nice to her and she had been nice to them, she started thinking again. She went over Grandpa and Granma’s death, Noah’s separation, and Connie; she went over all the things she could not explain and brought sorrow in her. She gave herself a space to be human again and let her emotions carry her through tragedy. (Steinbeck, pg. 323)

----Alejandra Lopez

Character Analysis: Generosity

It is clear that Ma Joad’s priorities lay on her family; but the example with the children at Hooverville shows how her love, help and understanding, overcome these limits. As starving children surround her, she feels compassion for them. She dwells with egoism and her family’s basic necessities: as she finally gives in to the children. She leaves the rest of the soup for them. This passage demonstrates Ma’s constant selflessness and generous actions, not only for the well-being of her family, but for the entire people in need. (Steinbeck, pg. 257).

---Alejandra Lopez

Character Analysis: Okies face Rejection

There is one time that Ma find herself alone with Granma and Rose of Sharon, in the tent, waiting for the men to come back, and suddenly a police man arrives. He threatens and insults Ma trying to force her to leave. In her anger, she takes a skillet and warns the man that he must leave ashamed for in her country they were free and no one had the right to speak to them like that. He leaves, with first diminishing Ma by calling her an unwanted Okie in the state of California, not “her country”. (Steinbeck, pgs. 213-214)

---Alejandra Lopez

Character Analysis: Ma’s Position as a Leader and Support

“Pa was the head of the family now. Ma stood behind him.” (Steinbeck, pg. 139).

NOTE: This quote clearly explains the importance of Ma Joad in the family. The sitting positions in the family meetings represented the power and authority of each character. Given the fact that Ma Joad was besides Pa; it meant she was very important and she was his support. Also, the fact that she stands behind him represents her respect for tradition, for she knows she is stronger than Pa, but she also knows that in their society she must help from behind because Pa as a head is a necessary image.

---Alejandra Lopez

Our Grade

Mr. Paul this is the section were you can include our weekly grades and any other comments:

Grapes of Warth: Historical Background

The 1920’s was a decade often referred to ‘the roaring twenties’: a time when successful businessmen were national heroes, when land values were increasing and social traditions were being broken: such as women skirts. Suddenly, the 29 of October of 1929 also referred to as the Black Tuesday: the stock market crashed, triggering the Great Depression, the worst economic collapse in the history of the modern industrial world. It spread from the United States to the rest of the world, lasting from the end of 1929 until the early 1940s. The country fell into a depression (economically and psychologically), peaking in the winter of 1932, with citizens living on the streets in camps and surviving off government rations. Yet the depression was not the only disaster to arise; the Dust Bowl one of the most devastating weather events in American history happened. The drought hit first in the eastern part of the country in 1930, moving toward the west and affected most the farmlands of United States. Banks failed, businesses closed, and more than 15 million Americans (one-quarter of the workforce) became unemployed. In all, one-quarter of the population left, packing everything they owned into their cars, and headed west, which has been the largest migration in American history. By 1940, 2.5 million people had moved out of the plains states; and of those, 200 000 moved to California. (http://www.usq.edu.au/performancecentre/education/thegrapesofwrath/historical.htm)

Monologue: "Y'all's Situation"

"'ello again folks. I wanna talk to ya to try ta hel' ya, 'cause you listenin' to me an' we all deserve a shoulder and a reassuring voice. They a-say that you a-goin' through a diffucul' situation now. That my country is a again with many people with no work. They say it ain't that bad yet, but it is sompin to get worried 'bout. Well, let me tell you that I was in the worst situation of the country, or that's what I think. 'Cause I don't know much, but I know what I seen: an' I seen losts of homeless folks righ' along side with me, that had no house an' no job. I am a voice of experience an' let me tell ya it is possible. If ya have been affected by the situation currently, do not panic. Git ahol' of you an' ya famblies 'cause they what give ya strength. One person can survive, but a fambly can live. Also I'd like to tell ya what my dad onece tol' me: " Any man can fall, it takes a real man not to give in". You just hang in there. It ain't impossible to git back on track, just don;t give in to the desesperation, hold in there. Best of wishes"
----Ma Joad

Monologue: My self

"Well, 'ello folks. My name is Ma Joad an' I'm purty excited 'bout bein' able to share some time with ya. Well, the've asked me to tell ya who I am 'fore I start tellin' ya my story so... I'll do just that. I'm a simple mother. That should explain it all. I'm an aged woman already... no need to tell my age just yet,... but I tell ya this for ya to git the idea of my experience. I have always lived my life in the country side, and the sudden change has shocked me, but nothin' will devastate me. Why? I'll go back again to the fact that I'm a mother. There, there is my reason: I live to sustain my fambly. I know I ain't no woman of educaiton but I do want a bette' future for my kids, an' I know that comes from education. I know I need to feed my fambly, and I know the depen' on me to do so. I know the depen' on me to be strong an' I am strong for 'em, I will never let anything happen to 'em; I'll never stop working for them. They is my life an' we must always stay together. That is me... that's what I can say, at least."
--Ma Joad

Monologue: My Words

" There are several words that I pronounce differently, so I'll be glad to create a type of dictionary of words and expressions for you to understand:
fambly: family
'em: them
lef': left
fellas: guys
fightin': fighting
an': and
right off: right now
he'p: help
nothin': nothing
'bout: about
tryin': trying
folks: people
set: sit
aroun': around
cookin': cooking
git aholt on yaself: get ahold of yourself
han': hand
feelin': feeling
a-comin': is coming
gonna: going to
waitin': waiting
somepin: something
depen': depend
more'n: more than
---Ma Joad

Monologue Outline

The monologue will be made by Ma Joad represented by Alejandra Lopez, and Daniela Antillon will help with the creation of such and the props. Ma Joad will speak as if she were in actual times telling her story. She will start with a little introduction of her family and herself. She will describe each member briefly, as well as her relationship with them. Then she will explain their situation, and her perspective: her ideas about unity and family; as well as her views of the people in her same conditions and thoughts of the times that shall come. She will explain the depression the country had fallen into in a very simple way, for she was a simple woman of little education. Then she will explain her feelings towards the impotence and doubts she had; and how she had to control herself for her family. Then she will explain the trip to California, and the change it meant in her. (Her experiences through this trip: the police man, Granma's death, the children in Hooverville,...) Last she will comment on the current situation of United States and the stock market and to take this situation with strength and hope.
---Ale Lopez and Dani Antillon

Monologue: Granma's Death

" I ain't gonna lie to ya, it has been one of the hardes' things I ever had to go through in my life. You got to understan', the fambly was fallin' apar' an' I couldn' let that. I knew that if shar'd Granma's death we would a-have to stop, an' we needed to git to California, I told her that. She was a-layin' a-stiff an' DEAD righ' there beside me an' I knew, an' I couldn' tell no one. I fel' so desolated, so shattered. Granma a-needed to die, she was a-very sick an' sufferin' too much. Not sayin' that I wesh she died but I didn' want her a-sufferin' no more. But what crushed me was havin' to deal with it all by my self. I don't regret it though, it was a-good an' the fambly needed it to git to California."
---Ma Joad
Quote to illustrate this: " Tom said, 'Jesus Christ! You layin' there with her all night long!' 'The fambly hadda get acrost,' Ma said miserably. Tome moved close to put his hand on her shoulder. 'Don't touch me, ' she said. 'I'll hol' up if you don' touch me. That'd get me.'" (Steinbeck, pg 229)
---Ale Lopez and Dani Antillon

Monologue: My Family

"Well, I ain' gonna talk so much... not to bore ya'll folks 'cause I must say I do get very much excited when it is my fambly I'm talking 'bout. It is actually quite simple: they is all to me. I find my strength in their needs and love; they are my reason to git ahol of my self an' be strong. I know they depen' on me; depen' on the food an' the reassurance. I can't live no more than for 'em. I love each and every one of 'em: Pa is my other half. With ou'im there'd be no fambly because ther'd be no head...although the head gits lost sometimes an' I have to knock 'im off. haha no no I'm just a-kiddin', he's a great fella. Granpa and Granma ain' here no more, but they is always with me. They were a part of the fambly an' fambly ain't never left behind. They were ol' and crazy but they were sweet. Tom ...oo Tom he's a nice fella. He come back an' all, and me afraid me never gonna a-see him again. He's smart and sweet, an' he is hel' to maintain the fambly together. Al is another that is a-good. He is still a-growin', but he's already important an' he knows about those a-trucks an' stuff. He'll grow up okey. Noah is nice. He a good boy. I don't know what's up with 'im, but I still love 'im. I was devaatate' when he lef', why he had to leave. Emm... oo well Rosharon is a love. Aw she my little gir', bu' she is a-growin' up and she got to git a-strong for her baby; even more now that that a-good for nothin' lef'. She is so beautiful, she'll do jus' fine, she just got to toughen up a little. And last Winfield and Ruthie: those two are two beautiful little fellas. They still very young, an' having to face so hard situations. But they okey, they handle it just fine, an' they still young an' happy. They still innocent. Well, I tol' ya I got excited... I love 'em all and that's all I a-know really."
---Ma Joad

Benevolent Actions

As it has been well explained, Ma Joad's main concerns are her family. Yet she is a living example of a true Samaritan: she believes in unity as a core necessity and thus commits herself entirely to the well being of others. She always puts her family first, but in several occasions it is seen that she is not exclusive and helps the people around her. She will never deny her help especially to those in need. Case one: The Wilsons: "Ma said, 'You won't be no burden. Each'll help each, an' we'll all git to California. Sairy Wilson he'ped lay Granpa out,' and she stopped. The relationship was plain." (Steinbeck, pg 148). - Ma knows that they will be more people to feed and take care of; yet they have been nice to her and so she is not willing to leave them behind. Case two: The Children at Hooverville: As Ma Joad is in Hooverville cooking for her family; a group of starving children set around her pot. She faces a serious issue, as she dwells with the necessities of her family and those of the children. As she finally gives in to her humility and generosity: as she feeds her family as little as necessary and leaves the rest to the children. (Steinbeck, pgs 256-257). This is a shocking image and experience for the entire family as well for the readers of the book.
----Dani Antillon and Alejandra Lopez

Ma as the Leader

Ma Joad's position in the Joad's family is that of a leader. She is the support for all the members of her family. She not only takes necessary and tiresome tasks such a: cooking, washing,... but has an immense auto control and security that reassures the entire family, and make the trip possible. She influences each and every one of the members of her family, especially as a position of power and support. She fights for her family's unity with all her strengths, and sets aside all her individual needs for her family. Since the beginning of the book Ma's position is one of strength and authority, yet as the story develops it is until Ma Joad confronts Pa Joad because he wants to separate the family that we truly see her position as a leader: "She brought out a jack handle and balanced it in her hand easily. 'i ain't a-gonna go,' she said. (...) She said softly, 'On'y way you gonna get me to go is whup me'. She moved the jack handle gently again' an' I'll shame you, Pa, i won't take no whuppin', cryin' an' a beggin'. I'll light into you. An' you ain't so sure you can whup me anyways. An' if ya do get me' I swear to God I'll wait till you got your back turned, or you're settin' down, an' I'll knock you belly-up with a bucket. I swear to holy Jesus' sake I will'. (Steinbeck, pgs. 168-169).
------Alejandra Lopez and Daniela Antillon.

Phylosophical

Ma Joad: " 'Tommy, don't you go fightin' 'em alone. They'll hunt you down like a coyote. Tommy, I got to thinkin' an' dreamin' an' wonderin'. They say there's a hun'red thousand of us shoved out. If we was all mad the same way, Tommy--they wouldn't hunt nobody down--' She stopped. (...) -tommy: 'you never was like this before!' Her face hardened and her eyes grew cold. 'I never had my house pushed over. I never had my fambly stuck out on the road. I never had to sell -ever'thing-' ".(Steinbeck, pg. 77)
NOTE: This quote shows the beginning of Ma’s changing philosophy. She starts wondering why is it that if they all face the same conditions, why shouldn’t they unite. She starts having revolutionary thoughts; thoughts she tries to keeps to herself for he know they are a danger to herself and eventually her family.
Ma Joad is clear in her position as the basis of the family. And she is sure that the family must stay together to survive. She is shock by the change in her reality, but she accepts it and transforms it to a reasonable and livable situation, for the good and security of her family. Her ideas are all of unity: in an individual way (her family), and a totalitarian way (the entire population that is in her same position). Although she is sure about this she only carries out her family's unity and is not willing to give anything up for it . Ex: She stands up to Pa Joad, not to let the family separate. And she never denies help to someone that needs it.
-- Dani Antillon and Ale Lopez

Ma Joad Intellectually

Given the background and description of the Joad family and their history it becomes clear that Ma Joad's education was basic or even null for those times. Although she probably did not have what we would consider a general knowledge of sections such as world history, science and arts; she is highlighted as a wise woman all throughout the book. Her experience with day to day situations is known by all those around her thus making her vital for decision making and question asking situations: she always seemed to have the answer, even if she herself was insecure. Her analysis of situations and behaviors excels that of a simple uneducated woman and thus makes her an outstanding figure.
----Alejandra Lopez and Daniela Antillon

Emotional Charac.

Ma Joad continually shows her capability of self control and selflessness for her family. She sets aside her grief, pain, tiresome, insecurity,... to enable her capacity to reassure the family; spread security and hope. Her position in her family is vital and she acknowledges and accepts this with great humility and courage. Not because she is close minded but simply because she can't find another way to control herself: she thinks only of the present, and doesn't let her-self be overwhelmed by what may or may not be. A clear example of this is when she is talking with Al in the middle of the desert of Arizona and he asks her if she does not fear the comments the there is no work in California. Ma answers almost immidatly and with no doubt that she can only take as much the present: she cannot think of what may be, because she is strong enough. (Steinbeck, pg. 124)
---Alejandra Lopez and Daniela Antillon

Physical Characteristics

Seen by others: "Ma was heavy, but not fat; thick with childbearing and work. She wore a loose Mother Hubbard of gray cloth in which there had once been colored flowers, but the color was washed out now (...). The dress came down to her ankles, and her strong, broad, bare feet moved quickly and defly over the floor. Her thin, steelgray hair was gathered in a spare wispy knot at the back of her head. Strong, freckled arms were bare to the elbow, and her hands were chubby and delicate, like those of a plump little girl. Her full face was not soft; it was controlled, kindly. Her hazel eyes seemed to have experienced all possible tragedy and to have mounted pain and suffering like steps into a high calm and undercitadel of the family". (Steinbeck, pg.74). "The preacher said, "She looks tar'd."" (Steinbeck, pg. 108). These descriptions clearly explain the physical characteristics of Ma Joad. She is an aged women, who's entire factions show her rough and strong life experiences. She is simple and secure; and her roughness in her face show her hard work and dedication for her family, thus she is always tired but calm.
----Alejandra Lopez and Daniela Antillon

Ma Joad- grapes of wrath

by: Daniela Antillon & Alejandra Lopez 

Ma joad is described as "the citadel of the family", she is the mother of the Joad family and the person who holds the family together, she fulfills the most important family needs and works so the family stays together.