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