Of Mice and Men Symbol

In the book OF MIce and Men Steinbeck used many literary tools such as foreshadowing, motifs, themes, and symbols. Although he used many literary tools he used all of the above tools more than once. In this essay i will focus on a symbol from Of Mice and Men. The book had many different symbols. It would take a whole new book to explain all of the symbols in Of Mice and Men. I am solely focusing on the farm Candy. Lennie and George wanted to buy after they saved up enough money working on the Curly's father's farm. The Men just wanted to have their own and as they said " Live off the fat of the Land". The farm is symbolic because it could represent peace, the promise land, success, heaven, or even 40 acres and a mule.
To begin this, the farm could represent peace because they can go there and be uninterrupted by society. Peace which is a state of harmony or the absence of hostility.
40 acres and a mule is an essential symbol for this story. 40 acres and a mule was something promised to the slaves back in the day that only a few saw. Even though some slaves saw this, for the rest it was just an Mirage in the distance. George was working and looking after Lennie their whole friendship and I think the farm in George's mind was a prize visible but not obtainable because of Lennie's numerous foolish acts that he couldn't control.
Success is something the pair was after which could definitely be an important symbol. Success which is an accomplishment of a purpose is something that relates solely to the farm. The farm which was their final destination would have symbolized success.
In conclusion, the story had a variety of different symbols which could be expressed through an essay like this. If you read the book you might agree with me that peace, the promise land, success, heaven, or 40 acres an a mule are the top picks for symbols. After reading Of Mice and Men I gained knowledge about symbols. Now as I read other books in the future i will look for this literary tool.

Of Mice and Men themes

Of Mice and Men; The American Dream

“Fame, fortune, platinum records. It’s every boy’s dream!” (Viva La White Girl by GCH) When reading John Steinbeck’s novel, Of Mice and Men I noticed the theme of having the ideal American Dream comes up more than once. A lot of the characters often wonder what life would be like if they had a family, fortune, and even fame.

First, there’s the idea of having a family. George, and Lennie are often seen as brothers, or even cousins as George once said, but they would seem more like a family if they had a permanent home. It’s George’s dream to buy his own little farm, for himself and Lennie. When reading this book, they even invited Candy to join them because of his old age. Lennie is obsessed with tending with the rabbits, and possibly getting his own dog. George on the other hand will have a garden and basically run things. With their money all put together they desire a better life for themselves.

Alongside the ideal of family, fortune is also a theme of this great novel. The boss, for example still makes money regardless of being in a depression. When readers first meet him, he comes off as “bossy” (well duh!) because George and Lennie are a day late, and he needed work to be done. George explains that the bus driver was too lazy to drive them all the way, but is interrupted when the boss tells him he doesn’t give a damn. The only thing the boss is good for, is giving food, shelter and pay (which isn’t all that good to be honest). His main priority is do the work, so you can make me money, no matter what it takes.

Fame, ahh yes, at times we all want it, believe it or not! A character in the book that probably wanted it more than anyone was in fact Curly’s wife. Being the only women on a ranch must get lonely at times, and all she wanted was someone to talk to. The guys see her as promiscuous, but in all honestly she just wanted a friend. She got a chance to have a friend when she talked to Lennie about her dreams. Lennie being the first person she ever told, she explained how she wanted to become a movie star, and a guy she met was going to make that happen. Being so naïve she believed him and it never happened. Because her dream of being a famous movie star never happened she’s stuck at a ranch being married to Curly, the jerk. Maybe if her dream could’ve come true, she may actually have an identity!

To wrap this all up, Of Mice and Men is a novel about the American Dream. If you like myself, hate being unable to pursue your goals and dreams in life I wouldn’t recommend this book to you. However, if you ever want to expand your horizons and read something very intelligent, read this book!

Of Mice and Men Motifs {Grade This Essay}

"Guys like us, that work on ranches, are the loneliest guys in the world. They got no family. They don't belong no place. . . . With us it ain't like that. We got a future. We got somebody to talk to that gives a damn about us. We don't have to sit in no bar room blowin' in our jack jus' because we got no place else to go. If them other guys gets in jail they can rot for all anybody gives a damn. But not us." One huge motif in Of Mice and Men is definately lonliness and companionship among the main characters.

To begin, Lennie and George are a great example of two people who have an special companionship with eachother. Mentioned time after time, they are so close they even look after eachother in the worst and best times. For example, Lennie was looking out for George when Crooks told him, what if something was to happen to George. Lennie thought that was unacceptable, and told Crooks, no, nothing is going to happen to George. George and Lennie travel everywhere togehter. In the book George sometimes acts as if he doesn't want Lennie around but I think that he just uses Lennie as an excuse for why he can't reach his own goals and live his own dreams. Basically whatI'm trying to say is that they depend on each other for everything. They act as a married couple if you will one body (Lennie's) and one mind (George's of course). When Lennie does something stupid and gets himself in trouble George could just leave him and let him get hisself killed or jailed but he doesn't. When Lennie's in trouble so is George and he always finds away out for the both of them. Lennie depends on George to take care of him and guide him in the right direction.

Next, there's Crook, the only negro on the ranch. Because he is black and the time period of the book is the racist, segregated 1930's, Crooks is not allowed to bunk with the white workers, and has his own little place.Although all the characters in Of Mice and men have a disability and experience discrimination and unfair treatement at times all the characters have someone else their for them except crooks. Crooks is the definition of lonely. Readers can see this, when Lennie comes in and visits him. He yells at Lennie and tells him since he isn't allowed in their bunk, he isn't allowed in his. Lennie's illness puzzles him, and Crooks takes advantage of him, by telling him George isn't always going to be around. Why does he do this? Well that saying must be true, misery does love company!

Curly's wife is another victim of the lonely disease. She herself said, all she wants is a friend and someone to talk to. Being the wife of the bosses son, all the men on the ranch stay away from her to stay out of trouble. To them she even comes off as promiscuous, but in reality she just needs a friend. She even talks to Lennie, who is just about the only one who doesn't mind talking to her. Talking to lennie and looking for Lennie is a sure sign of loneliness and desperation because everyone on the ranch knows Lennie is all messed up in the head. Because she cant talk to her egotistic husband or mean father in law she looks for companship in anyone who will give her time of day, even if it is a mentally ill person. When she talks tpo Lennie she pours out her deepest secrets that she never told anyone but Lennie. If that isn't a sign of true loneliness, I don't know what is.

Last but not least there's old Candy. Candy is extremely old, at the ranch they make him sweep and look after the chickens, while the younger and healthier guys do the "real work." In the beggining of the story Cnady has companionship in his dog his is much like himself, old and useless as viewed by the other men on the ranch. Due to the way Candy's dog is viewed he is killed (or rather puto ut of his misery by another guy on the ranch. As a result of the murder of Candy's dog Candy is all alone. As the story unfolds Candy develops a relationship with George. Lennie and George even agree to add Candy into their plan of buying that little farm they've always wanted.

In conclusion, Of Mice and Men is a novel filled of tons of things, and motifs being one of them. Unlike most books, there's more than one theme, symbol and even motif. A lot of the time you see and feel the emotions of loneliness and companionship amongst the characters.

Of Mice and Men Quiz

1. List two examples of foreshadowing in Of Mice and Men?

a. After the killing of Candy's dog, Candy and George have a conversation. During the conversation Candy says that he regrets letting someone else kill his dog and that he should have done it himself. This conversation between George and Candy is foreshadowing. After Lennie kills Curly's wife Curly wants to kill lennie. George knows he has to kill Lennie before Curly does. The conversation between George and Candy is foreshadowing to this event.

a. After Lennie accidently kills his puppy you know that someone is also about to die at the hands of lennie by accident. Lennie then accidently kills Curly's wife.

2. Could Of Mice and men have taken place in a different setting and deliver the same message?

a. Yes Of Mice and Men could have taken place in many different settings and still delivered the many messages the book offers.

3. Can you infer, what happened after George shot Lennie?

a. George probably sat on the bank of that small river and cried. Although Lennie was sort of a Burden to George the two had been together for a long time. They both knew each others habits and loved and cared for each other. George was use to having Lennie around. The pair shared many memories some good and some bad but no matter the outcome they were together. George probably felt guilty about taking Lennie's life, but at the same time he'd rather live with the guilt of killing Lennie himself rather than a stranger killing his friend.

4. Have you ever found yourself being a human predator to someone in a worst state than you? ex. Curly, Crooks, or even Carlson

a. Yes I have found myself being a human predator to someone in a worst state than myself. I've actually found myself in that position more than once. But that was in the past I am now in a state to where as my maturity level is to high for me to act in that manner ever again.

5. Pretend you are a prosecutor what is Curly's motives for Killing Lennie?

A.Curly's motives for killing Lennie are all based on jealousy. Curly was jealous because he was a little weak man. Lennie on the other hand was strong and big. Curly had a stronger mind than Lennie but physically he was no match. Curly hated Lennie because he was a big strong man and he had always wished hisself to be that size which is why he wore high heeled cow boy boots. Curly was jealous of Lennie because he was a good and fast worker and also because he knew his wife had a crush on him. At the end all of the story Lennie kills Curlys wife which is the last strike causing Curly to kill lennie which is what he wanted to do ever since George and Curly came to the farm.

6. What do you need to make Candy?

A. 1. One spoon full of sadness
2. One cup of oldness
3. A pinch of grey
4. One tea spoon of guilt
5. One spoonful of hopefulness
After mixing all ingrideients and baking remove one hand.

7. What would be a different ending for Lennie?

A. I cannot really see a different ending for Lennnie except for Curly killing him instead of George. At first I was going to say that George could have put Lennie on a train with a note and the money they had saved up and sent him to stay with one of his friends. But then I realized George and lennie didn't have any friends. George definently couldn't have sent George anywhere they've previously had been because Lennie always did something bad forcing them to flee town.

8.Describe a character in Of Mice and Men and make a connection to them.

ms. thomas

My A.p biology experience was a class like no other. I learned a lot in this class and built a lot of skills. I can not actually say I learned a lot of biology information but I built a lot of self- confidence and work ethic.

Service learning Reflection 3

Today in Service Learning Ms. Klose started our meeting by reading us and email from a man who is trying to create a dvd, video, or t.v broadcasting about different groups participating in the Fundred Dollar Bill project. The man wants to feature us in his media he is producing about the project. I really didn't understand why Ms. Klose would agree to letting us be apart of his media when half of my group doesn't even understand what it is we are suppose to be doing. We have not been producing much of any work at all. The main people who stay focused and get work done is Korin Lassiter, Diamond, and I.

Service Learning

In our last meeting our goal was to create a power-point, write a letter, and research local printing companies. The only goal we completed was creating the power-point. Diamond and I completed this power-point. Everyone in my group was playing around and completely off task the entire time. Ms. Klose was taking pictures of us "working". Since we did not complete all of our goals I guess we will be doing the same-thing in our next meeting. All I have to do is add in the pictures Ms. Klose took during her trip and I will be complete. MAybe in our next meeting I will do some research or write a letter because I feel as though we are not getting anything complete and our project is going no where.

Service learning power-point

Service Learning Reflection 2

Today was our second service learning meeting. Ms. Klose asked us to do research for this service learning day. When we entered her classroom she went over our list of goals and what we could do to jump start the long process to complete our contribution to the Fundred dollar Bill project. The three main goals of our group that day were to :

1.Create a general letter
2. Create a power-point answering general questions about the fundred project, our role in the nationwide project and all of our goals.
3. Research local companies that could do the printing for us
I was really tired today so I did not want to write a letter or do any research. I decided to do the easiest thing and that was to create the power point. I completed the power point with diamond. We received all of our general information about the project from the official fundred dollar bill project website. All other information we included came from notes we took during Ms. Klose's presentations explaining our mission and what the project was about. We accomplished a lot an included a great deal of information into the power point. Our power point is nearly complete all we have to do is add pictures Ms. klose took on her trip to Louisiana.

Service learning

Our next Service learning meeting is coming up. In our last meeting we covered all the basics so I guess where giong to start getting into the little details in our next meeting coming up on Thursday. Their are a lot of things that need to be completed before we can began collecting supplies and getting all of our major goals accomplished. I think I want to create a powerpiont to take around to all the bussinesses that we ask to sponsor us.

Service Learning ( research)

Mel Chin is the man responsible for the nation wide running fundred dollar bill project. All I know about this man is that he is an artist. From the video I watched including him and his artwork Mel Chin is a very unique artist. When I think of an artist I think of some wierd person who paints or draws amazing pictures or creates murals. Mel Chin's work raises awarness about important issues to him. I do not really know much about him so I deicded to do a little research about Mel Chin's work.

Mel Chin was born in 1951 in Houston, Texas. As a teenager Mel worked in his family’s grocery store, and began making art at an early age. Though he is classically trained, Chin’s art, which is both analytical and poetic, evades easy classification. Alchemy, botany, and ecology are but a few of the disciplines that intersect in his work. Chin's is very unique, he adds his art into unlikely places, including destroyed homes, toxic landfills, and even popular television, investigating how art can provoke greater social awareness and responsibility.



Sources:

www.pbs.org

the-artists.org

Service learning Reflection two

Today was the first service learning meeting of my sophmore year. Every year we have to complete a school wide service learning project. This year I'm working with Ms. Klose on a project benefitting Hurricane Katrina victims. Today we watched a video about our project and the man who started it (Mel Chin). We got an overview on how the project will be carried out and the role we will have to play. After the overview video we looked at pictures taken by Ms. Klose when she took a trip to Louisiana. She showed us pictures Louisiana. Some of the pictures were beautiful and a great sight to see. Other pictures made you want to cry. She showed us pictures of the ninth ward; which is still in shambles even years after the hurricane hit. We discussed the signs on houses and the meaning of those signs. Then she showed us pictures of the famous French Quaters.

Selecting Service Learning Groups

Service learning is here again. Every year our entire school chooses a service learning group to join and carryout a project with. This year I am working with Ms. Klose on a fundred dollar bill project. I am not really sure what I have to do to complete this project but I like Ms. klose as a person and teacher so i'm sure it will be fun working with the "art lady". To my understanding this project will be some how benefitting the victims of hurricane katrina. The people I will be working with to complete this project are as follows:

1. Dimi (10th)
2. Tomrell (9th)
3. Leon ( 9th)
4. Judith Dye (10th)
5. Andrew Howard (10th)
6. Marquicha Greene ( 10th)
7. Felicia Green (10th)
8. Atiya Groomes (10th)
9. Korin Lassiter (9th)
10. Kerin Streater (10th)
11. Daivon Jackson( 10th)
12. Diamond Sims ( 10th)

Service learning reflection 1

Service learning is a philosophy, pedagogy, and model for community developement that is used as an instructional strategy to meet learning goals and/or content standards. It is required by the School District of Philadelphia that each high school senior complete 120 hours of community service by the end of 12th grade. We complete this service through a program called service learning in my school each year. This year for service learning I am working with Ms. Klose on a fundred Dollar Bill project. This project helps aid victims of Hurricane Katrina. Scientists are trying to find a way to make the soil in Louisiana safe again. During and after the Hurricane the soil in Louisiana was heavily polluted. It is dangerous to drink the water in certain parts of the state and to eat the food grown in the polluted soil. Scientist are trying to restore safety for the residents of  Louisiana and get things almost back to normal.

Empire of the Sun

bloom's taxonomy: knowledge

Meet The Writer

Richard Wright was born on a plantation near NAtchez, Mississippi, on Spetember 4th 1908. His father Nathaniel was an illiterate sharecropper and his mother, Ella Wilson was a well educated school teacher. His father deserted the family in 1914 when Richard was 10 years old and his mother had a paralytic stroke. The family was extremely poor and after a brief education he was forced to seek work inorder to support his mother. Wright worked at a series of menial jobs in Memphis. He wanted to continue his education by using the local library but Jim Crow Laws prevented him from diong so. Wright solved his problem by forging notes and pretending he was collecting books for a white man. During this time he was particularly impressed with the work of M.L Hecken, Theodore Dreiser, and Sinclair Lewis. After passin a civil service examination Wright finds work as a post office clerk. After the wall street crash, and the begining of the depression, Wright lost his job. FOr a period he found employment at the Negro Burial Society but that came to an end in 1931 and he was forced to go on relief. After several temporary jobs the relief found him work with the Federal Writers Project. This enabled him to publish his short stories and essays. For more information and to see the ending of this story go read Richard Wrights lengthy biography.

My Reaction

One thing that spoke to me in Richard Wrights story was that he had to forger notes to get into the library and learn to read. Today people take free education and the opprutunity to learn for granted it goes unappreciated. To know that someone before me with a harder life than myself could still see the brighter things in life and fight for an education. Many teenagers and children have a world of opprutunities and great teachers in front of them and take them for granted ( particularly students at this very school).

Bloom's Taxonomy Questions

Comprehension

Question: What differences exist between Bigger's reflected attitude and his hidden emotions?

Answer: The differences between Bigger's reflected attitude and his hidden emotions are easily seen. Bigger tries to portray himself as a big, fearless, black man that only cares about himself. On the inside Bigger is a nigger in racist Chicago trying to find himself and become a man. Bigger really wants to do better for himself education wise; and his family financial wise. It hurts Bigger deep inside that his family lives the way they do.

Application

Question: What questions would you ask of Bigger Thomas's mother?

Answer: If I could speak with Bigger's mother I would ask her the following:

1. Do you regret having Bigger as a son?
2. What is your opinion as a woman on racism being African American and a woman?
3. How did you feel when you heard about Bigger being on the run?
4. What obstacles do you face everyday?
5. Do you think Bigger's actions are affecting the other children?

Heart: A hollow muscular organ of vertebrates that expand and contract to move blood through the arteries, veins, and capillaries.

The Wire

In the wire their are two things that represent the heart of the city. The three representations of the city are drugs and media. Drugs are the biggest representation of the city. In comparison with the heart drugs are moved from across the world and dispensed into the U.S, cities, neighborhoods, homes, and bodies of residents. Media is the second biggest representation of the heart of the city. Similar to the heart the media sends information through-out the state, city, neighborhoods and homes through out the city.

Explanation

Below is an explanation of how drugs are dispensed through-out the city.

First: The drugs are sent to warehouses.

Ware houses: A location where the shipment of drugs is delivered.

Second: The drugs are picked up by king pin and his workers.

King Pin: Usually a man who is a leader of a group of workers. he oversees the workers and buys the drugs from a supplier oversees.

Workers: People who do all the work for the kingpin. A workers job may range from selling drugs, killing, driving, counting money, and cooking and bagging the drugs.

Third: The drugs are delivered to trap houses.

Trap House: A location where part of the shipment of drugs is delivered to cooked up and bagged by workers.

Fourth: The drugs are distributed amongst the corner workers to customers.

Corner: The place where the drugs are sold to local fiends.

Fifth: The drugs are bought by fiends and are taken to crack houses.

Crack Houses: The place where drugs are snorted or put into a needle and inserted into the veins.

NATIVE SON

In "Native Son" I can't really put my hand on one specific thing that represents the heart of the city. For bigger Thomas (main character) his hear is represented by his home. Bigger Thomas's home is a one bedroom low class apartment. Bigger travels all around the city and encounters different types of people and neighborhoods. The actions shown by bigger Thomas in all different situations, with different people, and different neighborhoods are a reflection of his home. Bigger's home made bigger into the person that he is.

Eyes: An organ of vision and light sensitivity.

Hands: The terminal part of the human arm below the wrist including the palm, four fingers, and an opposable thumb used for grasping and holding.

THE WIRE

In the wire the police department represents the eyes and hands. Their are many things that you can say in the wire that represent the eyes and hands of the city but I personally think that the police department is the best representation. The police department looks out for crime. the baltimore police department represent the hands of the city because they inforce laws and stop crime.

NATIVE SON

In Native Son the media represents the eyes. They are constantly looking out for a story to tell. I am unsure of what the hands represent in NAtive Son.

Brain: The brain, the main part of the central nervous system , is divided into two cerebral hemispheres and various structures that link them together. The brain, the cerebellum , and the brain stem make up the encephalon, the chief director of the human body. It centralizes all the information that circulates through the body.

THE WIRE

In "THE WIRE" City HAll and all the politics giong on represents the barin of the city.

NATIVE SON

In "NATIVE SON" I am sure that politics and City Hall represent the brain of the city.

Buttocks: The fleshy part of the human body that you sit on.

THE WIRE

In THE WIRE poverty, kids trafficking drugs, drugs, homelessness, violence, and corruption all represent the buttocks. The buttocks represents everything that stinks!!

NATIVE SON

In NATIVE SON poverty, racism, drugs, and violence all represent the buttocks of the city.

National History Day Script/ Project Type Performance

Script Draft 2
Character Analysis

Annette: A young woman of high social class. Annette is a traditionalist and goes against all the changes the “roaring twenties” has brought fourth.

Louise: A woman who was forced to move to the industrial north from the rural south because of the failed economy in the south after the war. Although Louise moved and left behind a lot of her materialistic items she however did not forget her down south upbringing; and she to is a traditionalist. As a part of her new life in the north Louise has opened up a tailoring shop.

Peggy: A young flapper who performs at speakeasies. Peggy was also a nurse in World War 1 from 1914-1918

Betty: A young woman who sings at the speakeasies.

Synopsis: Louise the owner of a tailoring shop is opening up shop and their is a crowd of people outside of the store. Amongst the waiting customers are Peggy, Annette, and Betty. Annette comes in outraged about a dress Louise made for her. Annette wants Louise t recreate her dress. Peggy and Betty become annoyed with Annette’s complaints. Annette becomes angered by their actions which starts a debate about fashion during the “roaring twenties”. Each woman expresses their reasoning behind their clothing and lifestyles.

(The presentation begins with Louise sitting down at her sewing machine working on a piece of clothing. Outside the store Betty and Peggy are smoking cigarettes. Betty is humming a tune to herself and doing some simple dance steps. Annette briskly walks past the two and enters the store.)

Louise: This job has becomes more and more of a challenge everyday. Everyday I have to make one of these “new age dresses”. Before moving here to New York from the rural south because of our economic failure due to the end of World War 1, I was a master at this. But that was when 15 ½ yards of material was used to create a woman’s outfit. To save cloth during the war, women used less fabric in their dresses, soon their was no stopping the trend. Nowadays you’re lucky if you see a women’s outfit with 7yards of material. Not only that, but now I have to deal with these new fabrics everyone’s been asking for…rayon and silk. It seems like a sin making these kinds of clothing, being the traditional women I am. Even though the War overseas has ended we now face our own war here on the home front…a sort of cultural war between the new modernist and the old traditionalist. As social, economic, and political opportunities increase for women their clothing becomes more liberal and they become more independent the nation becomes more divided. (Annette enters) How may I help you today Annette?

(Betty and Peggy enter the store)

Annette: My dress! Ugghhh it’s wrong all wrong….I hate it! You have to fix this mess Louise!

Louise: What do you mean Annette? I did exactly what you asked me to do. You said (In A mocking manner) Louise make me a stylish dress…a dress that stands out… a dress that makes a statement… yet reserved…an elegant dress. And Annette outrageous as your request was I did exactly what you asked me to do!

Annette: No, no, no you got it all wrong Louise! I am a traditional woman with deep respect for long-held cultural religious values, values that are anchors that provide order and stability to society. A woman of my caliber does not wear the fashions of the twenties. I wear high lace up boots, and my hemline usually come to my ankle or lower. I do not expose the hidden parts of my body like my shoulders, throat, knees, and ankles. These parts of me are sacred. My husband would be outraged if he saw me in this dress. You have to fix this mess quickly. I have to have dinner waiting for my husband when he comes home.

Louise: You asked for a stylish dress Annette. An according to my customers popular demand and Ms. Coco Chanel herself this right here (Pulls Annette in front of a mirror) is stylish. Yes I do share some of your same values and morals but I have to make a living.

Annette: I’m insulted Louise that you would even make this dress for me knowing that I’m a woman…the “fairer sex” I’m expected to uphold the morals and manners of society. How can I carry out my duties as a woman dressed as a bearcat…a flapper…a dame? I’m insulted because you to share my traditional values, and would not create this garment for yourself!


Betty and Peggy in unison: Oh Shut-up you wet blanket! (The girls laugh)

Betty: Forget a wet blanket this girl’s a prude. I’m sick of you rambling on and on about your traditional ways. You heard the seamstress it the roaring twenties baby and women’s role in society is changing along with her clothing.

Peggy: Clothing is a huge part of the change of the modern women of the twenties. Fashion is a way of expressing yourself and is reflective of the times. Right now fashion is reflecting women’s fight for independence equality and celebrating our right to vote.

Betty: I can tell just by looking at you that you are a country bumpkin stuck in the past of the pre war years. Listen lady “How can you keep them down on the farm after they’ve seen paree”. You wear layer upon layer of clothing and a restraining rib breaking corset that makes it hard to breathe. Your clothing represents the oppressed dependant on a man women of the pre war years.

Peggy: A corset represents women’s frozen position in society. Did you know a man made the first corset which makes the representation deeper? The corset further represents a man’s control of the female body. Each layer of clothing you wear represents the burden’s you carry your husbands every need, your children, your home, your appearance, cooking, cleaning, washing and décor.

Annette: That’s who I am! I am happy taking care of my home and family. That’s what I was taught and how I was raised. I won’t let you make a mockery of traditional women. What makes you think you’re better than me? What do you have except for a crazy little fantasy that embracing new styles and social trends will give women more freedom, independence and make them equal to men? Woman never will and never has been equal to men, that’s just the way it is. In 1918 the Supreme Court struck down a minimum-wage law for District of Columbia woman because with the vote, women were considered equal to men. In 1912 women we’re arrested for going shopping without their corsets. Not everyone loves the roaring twenties! Women are arrested for wearing indecent clothing…sort of what you two are wearing now. Bills are introduced into state legislatures to keep skirts long and tops from displaying more than three inches of the throat. You girls may be fighting to wear those loose clothing but we’re fighting back!

Peggy: Well lady, you’re fighting a loosing battle. Yes we have had some set backs and loss a few battles but we’re gonna win the war. Many women who worked hard to gain the right to vote continue to be active in politics…known as the League Of Women Voters.

Betty: These women are modernist just like us. The women of the League Of Women Voters was founded in 1920 by Carrie Chapman Catt during the convention of the National American Woman Suffrage Association.

Annette: The National American Women Suffrage Association were traditional women like me.

Peggy: Which is the very reason why the League of women broke away from them and formed their own group at the convention. The traditional women did not agree with the way some of the League Of women Voters members wanted to go about fighting for women’s rights so they parted ways. Six month’s after that ordeal the United States constitution was ratified giving women the right to vote.

Betty: The League Of Women Voters played a major part in fighting for women’s right to vote and getting the 19th amendment was passed after a 72 year struggle.

Annette: Yea all thanks to The National American Women Suffrage Association. Yes those modernists in the League Of Women Voters may be more popular then the N.A.W.S.A and their group may have accomplished more but those traditional women paved the way. Who do you think was fighting for women’s rights those 72 years before 1920? I’d also like to add that all you women can talk about is the right to vote. Yes congratulations women now have to right to vote but the women who do vote mostly vote the way their husbands or male relatives do. It’s basically one step forward for women and one step back.

Betty: Change doesn’t occur overnight Ms. Annette. Even if women are influenced by men at least they are out there voting. Women have always looked to men for everything, depended on man for everything when something is the same for so long it’s hard to change. So things will take time.

Peggy: As time takes its course…they will however change.

Betty: The League Of Women Voters was designed to help 20 million women carry out their new responsibilities as voters. And thus far they have carried out their duties so far by just getting women out to the voting booths.

Peggy: Voting isn’t all women have accomplished this decade it’s just the biggest accomplishment. In 1917, Jeanette Rankin of Montana became the first woman elected to the House of Representatives. Two women Nellie Tayloe Ross of Wyoming and Miriam Amanda Ferguson of Texas- became governors of their states in 1924.

Betty: In 1925 Representative Mae Ella Norton became the first woman to chair a congressional committee. In 1921, women persuaded Congress to pass the Sheppard- Towner Act and act that distributed federal funds to states to create health care services for pregnant women, new mothers, and infant children. In 1926 Gertrude Ederle swam across the 35-mile English Channel, she beat the men’s record by two hours. Women are now working and earning their own living.

Peggy: By 1926 women swelled the ranks of white collar workers. Over 736,000 women work as clerks, wrappers, and cashiers. So you see Annette we woman are on the move and fighting battle after battle in all aspects of life social, economics, sports, and politics to earn equality, respect, and Independence.

Betty: Yes all aspects Annette did you hear her clearly? Including sex!

Annette: {gasp} I’m appalled at you! I do not publicly talk about sex. Have you no manners girl?

Betty: Yea I said it sex …ya prude, you heard me! In 1921 the first American Birth Control Conference was held right here in New York.

Annette: Before that radical Margaret Sanger could give her speech that meeting was raided by police as it should have been.

Betty: That radical is a great woman! Sanger declared “No woman can call herself free until she can choose consciously whether she will or will not be a mother.”

Peggy: She also promoted birth control as a means by which women could enjoy sex instead of being afraid of its consequences. She promoted birth control as a means to economic justice, as well as increased freedom for women.

Annette: Ah fooy! She promoted birth control so loose women like you can do as you please and not bring innocent children into the world as a result of your bearcat actions. I just bet Ms. Peggy that you use birth control don’t you?

Peggy: (guilty now… and stuttering) Well…I …ughhh {angrily} that’s besides the point! Yes Ms. Annette I am a flapper! I use birth control. I smoke, I drink, I swear, I dance wildly and even give out kisses freely. I am young confident, and assertive. Much to the horror of my mother I speak frankly and assert my sexual freedom, I go against all the prescribed rules of ladylike conduct.. I am a new breed of woman breaking down barriers. Most people think I care more about parties than politics which is partly true. However, its women like me flappers who play an important part in changing attitudes toward women.

Annette: Yes, you’re mother is mortified of you I’m sure. Just because social, economic, and political opportunities are increasing for women does not mean you have to dress like a dame or a bearcat. You young modernists have no class, I’ll tell you. It seems to me that the more opportunities and rights women gain the shorter the hemline on your dresses become. That’s not the way to celebrate.

Betty: Our clothing does not represent a woman of low social class…a woman with no morals. Our clothing is reflective of liberated women. Women like Josephine Baker a popular performer, Clara bow the women who after serving as a nurse overseas like my self came home and made the bob hairstyle popular. Louise Brooks a famous movie star known for her trademark slick black Dutch bob. These women are women who like Peggy and I face the conflict of discrimination and racism everyday by men who look at women as the weaker sex and by traditional women like you.

Peggy: I agree, we always have conflict with traditional women like you because you always look down on us and Judge us. You traditional woman act as if we are beneath you and you’re kind. Just because you don’t agree with the new ways of the nation does not give you the right to criticize (Annette cuts her off)

Annette: I do not criticize anyone. F. Scott Fitzgerald said it best in his book “The Great Gatsby”. “Whenever you feel like criticizing anyone, just remember that all people in this world haven’t had the advantages you’ve had.” And it’s obvious today that you women surely haven’t had the proper upbringing I’ve had. I am simply trying to guide you young people who are going in the wrong direction.

Betty: That’s the thing lady, we do not need you’re guidance. The last time you old country bumpkins guided us we were out of the country getting shot at and killed.

Peggy: Yes I agree. In 1918 when I returned home from Paris after serving in World War 1 as a nurse for four years my whole outlook on life changed, along with many other returning nurses and soldiers. After witnessing the tragedies if war I realized you only have one life to live.

Betty: Why spend that one life beneath a man as the “weaker sex”. The only difference between men and women is their sex organs. Women can do just about everything a man can if not more.

Peggy: Attagirl Betty, you tell her sister!

Annette: Men and women are two different creatures and have way more changes than just sex organs. Men and women are different in both mind and body. The bible even demonstrates how a man is above a women, that’s just the way it is ladies and you have to accept it. Wearing that loose clothing isn’t doing anything but bringing mockery to your family and name.

Peggy and Betty: Oh shut-up you bluenose!

Betty: Theirs just no getting through to the old prude let’s just forget about it. We’ve clearly wasted our breath here today.

Peggy: Yes girl indeed we have. I guess time will have to prove itself to her.

Betty: It already has…it already has. She just can’t accept it. We women can now wear what we please as proof that we are independent and fighting to become equal. We are liberated women.

Peggy: Let’s go, they’re having a great party down at the speakeasy tonight to celebrate Doris’s birthday. I have to go apply my make-up you know how long it takes me.

{The girls began to exit the store}

Betty: Yea and I have to warm up I have to sing tonight. Oh yea remind me to grab some tampons on the way home.

Peggy: Sure. Oh an Louise.

Louise: Yea.

Peggy: I love you’re work I’ll be back tomorrow to purchase that blue dress over there. {Points to a dress on the rack} I also hope to see you tonight at the speakeasy.

{Girls exit the store}

Annette: You surely aren’t thinking to attend that event are you Louise? It goes against prohibition and {Cut off by Louise}

Louise: Oh shut-up you wet blanket! Ha aha Ha I’ve heard more than my ears can take from you today. Look I’ll alter you’re dress tomorrow. I have to get ready for the speakeasy tonight.

{Hurry’s Annette out of the store}

{Cleaning frantically, and putting away supplies. Grabs a sexy little dress and holds it up to herself}

Louise: Women really are changing. And the clothes they wear today really do show a liberated, confident women who has control over her body. A women who is free. I want that woman to be me!