Jims progression (Character)

Jim Nolan is a new member of the "Party," whose political development is one of the book's central themes. His father was a Communist himself, and was legendary as one who fought. The son of a working man whose death was caused by policemen’s blows has come to communism by way of starvation, a way of finding his path in the world. Jim also looked to Mac as a mentor. Mac who is a communist labor organizer who organizes a fruit-pickers’ strike with the help of Jim. As Jim and Mac rallies the strikers with a stirring speech over the body of his friend and co-organizer, Jim Nolan. At the end of the book Jim  gets shot when he and Mac are enticed into a trap.

What I want to know about Jim is why did he not take control sooner than he did towards the end of the book. It seems that Jim underestimated himself in this book and there was many times that I found Jim questioning Mac's judgements and rulings in the text. I also wanted to know more about his sister, it seems that he was close to her, but yet her life was very briefly explained as well as his mothers in the story.

Jim's characterization progress in the book is similiar to the growers by how he took control and lead the group. Like growers who take control and lead the pickers, Jim to was able to take control of the group once controlled by growers to help lead them to justice.

Rough Draft - Dubious Battle

Sheila Scharff

Mrs. Knapp

English 1B

In Dubious Battle

Rough Draft

In his novel in Dubious Battle, John Steinbeck tries to show how a strike was common in the 1930s as the Great Depression continued and working men found themselves either without a job, or was so desperate for a job they did not care if the pay was low. Men and their families would travel from place to place if they heard there was a good job available. When they got there they soon found out that the farm owners reduced the pay. Due to low wages the men could not support their families, but what could they do? Steinbeck’s story follows two main characters, depicted by Steinbeck as labor leaders, through an apple pickers’ strike. The Communist Party sends Mac McLeod, a veteran Communist Party worker, to start up a revolt against the proprietors in order to gain a higher wage and justice for the working class. Mac heads to Torgas Valley, California, along with him he brings Jim Nolan. Nolan who had a father killed in a riot, a mother who died, and a sister that was missing is a new recruit in the Communist Party. He wants to do something that will give his life meaning and being included in the Communist Party just might help him in finding his purpose in life. Together with Mac, a "red", they work together to rival up the pickers and lead them to strike against the Growers Association. Mac shows Jim some tricks and how to use things to benefit them in gathering the men together to form a strike. They are able to use their power and influence towards the other characters throughout this novel. There were events that occurred to help lay the foundation for the men towards the cause, the picker’s death with unsafe equipment, low wages, and horrid conditions, and the power struggle between the owners and workers.

                When Mac and Jim arrive in Torgas Valley, Mac seeks opportunities to gain the worker’s trust and at the same time teaches Jim how to do so. Mac was able to take that first step in gaining trust by helping a young woman, Lisa, give birth to her child. Together Mac and Jim were able to unite the men in a common cause, the birth of a child. For example Mac says “Every man who gave part of his clothes felt that the work was his own. They all feel responsible for that baby.” (95) This is a very important scene in the book. This was the first action taken in laying the foundation for their plan to strike and gain justice. The men feeling as if they were a part of the birth, learned how to work as a team. This helped Mac and Jim gain their respect and trust by the men and most importantly the men’s leader London, the pregnant girl’s father-in-law.

Laying the foundation for these two labor leaders did start with London’s daughter-in-law but that was only one event. Shortly after another opportunity came forth. As Mac and Jim worked in the apple orchard with the other pickers Jim met Old Dan, a veteran picker. As Mac and Jim kept their eyes and ears open for anything that can get the strike going. Jim starts talking to Old Dan. Mac tells Jim that Old Dan is a waste of time and worthless towards the cause. The next day Old Dan falls of a faulty ladder and breaks his hip. This caused a man to say, “The ladder, and old ladder!” (106). Mac quickly sees again another opportunity and tells the men that they deserve better equipment. As fear grows within the men, they realize that they need to take action to avoid ending up like the old picker with a broken hip. Mac soon realized by saying “The old buzzard was worth something after all.” (107) Old Dan became the symbol for the strikers when he fell. This was the beginning of the strike and when Old Dan became a symbol to the other men.

Though Torgas Valley was in the grasp of the Growers Association and the workers were at their mercy there was a struggle for power between the owners and the workers. The owners were known to effectively use communism. It was not easy for the pickers to organize and strike for higher wages and better living conditions, but they could no longer live like they were. In the article, In Dubious Battle, by James D. Hart and Phillip W. Leininger, they say that when the strike begins, Mac advises London concerning methods and finds a camping place for the 1000 strikers on the farm of Anderson's father, Al, a small farm owner who is very proud of his dogs. Mac summons Dick, a “pretty boy” party member in charge of soliciting party sympathizers for donations and who provides supplies. Dr. Burton, a “fellow traveler,” was brought into the camp to take charge of sanitation. The orchardists unsuccessfully attempts to bribe and intimidate London and his fellow chairman and leader of the pickers at the Hunter place, Dakin, but the morale of the strikers is maintained.

With the strike in full force there were many times in the book that you would think that the strike was doomed and the cause looked like a failed mission. There were distractions that caused the men to continuously reunite such as when the men were being stood off at the train station by the cops, Joy, another party member, was shot by a vigilante. Joy’s death was used by Mac to help get the men to feel hunger and anger towards what they are trying to achieve. With this, Joy’s death was used to fuel the fire. Mac says, “For every man they kill ten new ones come over to us.”  (p. 333). Mac explains that it is necessary that they use the Joy’s corpse, for it can create a sense of sympathy in the strikers. With sympathy comes a call for revenge that will lead to the desirable tool to put life back into the group which will bring the men together. This clearly is another way to get the men riled up for the cause. Throughout this novel Mac and Jim emphasize constantly that the end justifies whatever means necessary, no matter the cost to individuals.

Mac uses his skills during many events in this book to persuade or take advantage of a situation to help the strike continue. Mac used these advantages during the birth of London’s daughter-in-law’s child, old Dan’s tragic fall of a ladder, and his companion through it all, the death of his party member Joy. All these events were used to both gain the trust and respect to rally the men further into action or to put life back into the group by giving them the desire for revenge.

As conditions grew worse and doubt was seen in the men’s faces they were almost ready to turn on Mac. With no money or any food for the strikers Dick finally managed to scrape up some food for the men. Doc Burton disappears and his absence in attending and caring for the sick and sanitation of the camp grew worse. One night Anderson’s barn burned and ruined his crops that were stored inside. This caused Anderson to call the sheriff to evict the strikers. The following night a boy told Mac and Jim that Doc Burton was wounded in the field. As they rushed to help the Doctor they soon realized it was a trap. Jim was shot and killed. Like Joy, Mac once again stood over the body of his comrade and friend. Mac giving a speech to commemorate the death of Jim, he gathers strength through his loss and pain and speaks of Jim in the abstract. Mac preaches to the men by saying, “This guy didn’t want nothing for himself.” () This was another example of using any means necessary, even the body of a friend to keep forth in a common cause. Jim’s body becomes yet another symbol for the revolution as he did with old Dan and Joy by using them as a symbol to strike for justice.

My own feelings, no matter what system is in place we will always be robbed one way or another. Injustice should be fought against. I have family members and know of friends that have participated in a strike. Sometimes in order to be heard drastic actions need to be taken to make a point. The logistics of a strike was captured very well by Steinbeck such as the manipulation by the media against the strikers, and gathering support by soliciting party members. The power between the owners and the workers both stood their ground. Neither wanted to give in to the other due to it would be a sign of weakness. Taking a risk to give the workers what they wanted would cause the Owners to lose money. If the workers gave in to the owners it would defeat the purpose.  Today we still hear or witness these logistics in a strike. Steinbeck’s view of the life of a working stiff and the sacrifices that were made showed how teamwork and self discipline can achieve a common goal which till this day is still being utilized.

U.S. Farm Workers

We as people who live above the lower class do not ever stop to think about the farmworkers who help us by providing work in the fields, and the pain they endure to gather food so that we can have food in the grocery stores or food on our plate. a farmworker is someone who is hired to work int he agricultureal industry. they work on farms, family businesses and even large industrial operations.

farm workers face many obstacles int he United States and is one of the biggest labor groups int he world. Since a farmworkers job is seasonal there is insecurity among farm workers and can inhibit them  from organizing effectively for better working conditions. they deal with adequate wages, housing, food, working conditions, health care and the poor quality of life for their families.

 Ceasar Estrada Chavez was an American farm worker, labor leader,a nd civil rights activist who was one of the people who in 1962 co-founded the National Farm Workers Association along with Dolores Huerta. As a Mexican American, Chavez is best known till this day as the Latino civil rights activist.

In the artical, The story of Cesar Chavez, they said By 1970 the UFW got grape growers to accept union contracts and had effectively organized most of that industry, at one point in time claiming 50,000 dues paying members. The reason was Cesar Chavez's tireless leadership and nonviolent tactics that included the Delano grape strike, his fasts that focused national attention on farm workers problems, and the 340-mile march from Delano to Sacramento in 1966. The farm workers and supporters carried banners with the black eagle with HUELGA (strike) and VIVA LA CAUSA (Long live our cause). The marchers wanted the state government to pass laws which would permit farm workers to organize into a union and allow collective bargaining agreements. Cesar made people aware of the struggles of farm workers for better pay and safer working conditions. He succeeded through nonviolent tactics (boycotts, pickets, and strikes). Cesar Chavez and the union sought recognition of the importance and dignity of all farm workers.

This is a picture of Cesar Chavez

Reader Response Dubious Battle

In my reading of, In Dubious Battle,  by John Steinbeck, I found this book to be a turn page by page without any hesitation of putting it down due to sleepy eyes, boredom , or plain uninterested feelings. I enjoyed this book so much that I couldnt wait to wake up and continue my reading. I found myself imagining and picturing the scenery, the era, the people that was spoken about, the main characters, etc.

I felt there were many characters in the book that stood out but the two that stood out the most was John Nolan and Mac McLeod. John Nolan's character was more of a follower in the book, but with a deep sense of leadership just waiting to come out and take charge of everything. John was the new member of a political development which was the main theme of the story. Mac McLeod, more of a mentor to john and somewhat the closest thing to him than family that he had lost long ago was a character who was not only a mentor but who was the leader behind the scenes, someone who organized the movement that took place for the apple pickers.

In the beginning of the book, John Nolan was ready to change his path in life, leaving everything in the past which he had already lost and be apart of something that made a difference. He went to Mr Nilson's office to apply for the Party. After speaking with Mr. Nilson who finds himself in the present of the son of Roy Nolan. It seems that his fathers name, and history made a difference in his application and John was enlisted into the party. He was taken to a place where there were other men all sharing a space and there is where he met his mentor Mac McLeod.

Together they were inseperatable in the book, it was a father and son bond in my mind, but in the book it was a mentor and the follower looking to answers to questions trying to gain as much knowledge and experience as possible to help in anyway possible. Mac takes John on his first mission to a town where apple pickers were loosing a good amount of pay for their pickings. Together they accomplish many things with the help of other party members to get a picket started. There were many tasks needed and with the help of people who believe in the party they were able to get the apple pickers together and unite them as one group instead of individuals.

They meet a lot of characters along the way who are in the dark of the movement by helping with food, medicine, and money to help the men along their journey for their rights.

Feedback

I was a little confused by my peer reviews. Before class I had Mrs. Knapp read over my rough draft. It seems I was able to get more of a positive response and feedback from our teacher rather than the students who read my paper. So all in all I was more confused than ever.

On the rough draft peer review where the students have to give their feedback about what my paper included and missed I had checkmarks all under the no section and almost section. I was so confused when I saw this especially getting positive feedback from our instructor I felt like I had to re-write my whole paper. I am though taking into consideration my peers feedback and I am working on all aread to tighten up my paper and making it more presentable.

I tried to incorporate more examples into my paper in regards to the three topics i chose to write about. I tried to go over the TEA in each paragraph to make sure that it was all covered. I stayed traditional and named my essay Persepolis, and I was able to, with the help of Mrs. Knapp, find my thesis that was lodged in the third page of my essay. I found a better place to fit it somewhere between the first and second paragraph of my essay. I think that I revised it and hopefully it is good enough to pass, fingers crossed.

After proof reading and proof reading and proof reading I was able to find the errors and comments that my peers made in regards to my rough draft and hopefully I was able to fix if not all but most of them to help me prepare for my final draft. I also found myself practically re reading my book after I looked over some notes we took as a group when we had to do the sandwhich paragraph and cause and effects on certain things that we had to identify in the book. Actually those notes helped a lot when I was writing my paper. I also was able to get some help from the peers in my class that read my essay. Though they made comments on the paper we were given to write about the essay we were reading by giving our input they also helped me through one one one conversation on how to pin everything together as I wrote my essay.

As I said before getting a positive feedback from Mrs. Knapp was great but when I got the negative feedback from my essay in class I was extremely confused. I was stuck on what to do because the teacher said great, students said no no no, ughhhh so confusing. I hope I got it together and hopefully all the scratching of my head, and anxiety attacks helped me fix it up and make it hopefully a descent work of art, until it is graded we will not know, so fingers crossed and all the I’s all dotted and t’s crossed.

Week 6 Rough Draft

Rough Draft

Persepolis, by Marjane Satrapi, is a comic book novel about her life growing up in Iran. It was difficult for me to understand because I was fortunate enough to never experience war during my childhood. Though this novel is told by a child’s perspective, I did on the other hand feel like I was seeing her life through her own eyes in this autobiographical novel. Marjane, a child who fights for what she believes in, though her actions seem rebellious, does get her into trouble.  For example, most of us were rebellious and still are till this very day. Though I might be older, at a young age, I was very rebellious towards my parents. I remember at one time I was a Marjane Satrapi, especially during my teen years. There are many memorable moments a child experiences before they hit adulthood such as their first date, puppy love, and looking your best for senior prom. For Marjane Satrapi, she was unfortunate to experience things that most American young girls do. Marjane experienced other things differently. Her adulthood occurred faster than most young girls along with her rebellious acts. I hardly ever hear a young child speak of themselves as the next prophet but for Marjane she started out believing in God and wanting to be a prophet. After seeing war and oppression she becomes a rebel and questions her faith and her social implications.

As I read page after page in this novel at times I found myself shocked at what Marjane had to go through as a little girl in Iran during the Revolution, and how she rebelled against multiple things. For me I could only, at that moment, think of rebelling against my parents for the silliest things that make me look back and laugh about now how immature and selfish I was back then. I still apologize to this day for how I acted and treated my parents when I did not get my way, or get what I wanted when I wanted it. How thoughtless and careless I was, to not see the importance of life, family! Marjane on the other hand, like I had said before did not grow up as a “normal” American girl who experienced “normal” things as a young girl. She lived in a country during a Revolution. Yet in the end she became a strong woman, independent woman, who fights for what she believes in no matter what life throws in front of her. She deals with it in a child’s way at times but everything in the end makes her who she was then and is who she has become now.

Persepolis beings with Marjane in school at the age of ten years old and she is wearing a veil. The year is 1980 and she is with a group of other girls, all wearing the veil, lined up from left to right. It was at this time the girls who attended this school were obligated to wear the veil, though she hated it, it was the rule. Wearing the veil for Majane was confusing; she did not know how to react to this. Marjane says, “I really didn’t know what to think about the veil. Deep down I was very religious but as a family we were very modern and avant-garde” (6).

Marjane’s deep passion for religion and believing so much that she was the last prophet; she says “I was born with religion” (6). By the age of six years old Marjane says, “I was already sure I was the last prophet” (6). She would have multiple conversations about her future as the last prophet with her imaginary friend, whom in the comic strips within the novel, looks likes God. Marjane identifies herself as the next prophet and yet her family is not spiritual or religious. Her family’s faith lies in the political ideology. Her faith is slowly lost as she confronts the political issues in her world. When she begins to hear stories of torture and imprisonment from her family members. She decides that since she can not hold onto her faith due to the Islamic regime coming into power, she breaks loose from her imaginary friend and her faith.

I am the youngest of four children, and I cannot imagine anything more horrible than being in a world within an environment where my country was dealing with Revolution. I believe the author’s decision to tell her own personal story through the eyes of a child and the experiences she had in childhood allows us to see how a child, during a time of war, was able to grow into a strong woman with opinions of her own and quickly leaves childhood into adulthood at a young age. For example, when Marjane was in the basement, she takes out a cigarette that she had taken from her uncle, and like the people of Iran rebelling against the government, she to rebelled against her mother. She lights her uncle’s cigarette and coughs right after inhaling, but does not give in so she continues to smoke the cigarette. At that moment in the novel, she says “With this first cigarette, I kissed childhood goodbye.” This is the very moment Marjane leaves childhood and enters adulthood.

Marjane’s boldest statement of rebellion was smoking that cigarette in the basement. This was only the first step into adulthood, but soon after she acted on her independence when she met her Uncle Taher who is ironically dying from cigarettes. In order for his son to leave the persecution of the Islamic regime, Uncle Taher sent his son away to Europe to save him from this turmoil surrounding them. Marjane’s cigarette smoking experience did in her mind prove that she was now an adult. The cigarette, a cigarette, I believe is the symbol of freedom but is also a way of destruction since it took her Uncle Taher’s life along with the stress of the war going on around them.

There were many times that Marjane had to fight for what she believed in. By smoking she achieved the first step into adulthood by kissing her childhood goodbye. This was her right by gaining freedom but she also encountered situations where she found herself fighting for her freedom.

Week 4 (Questions for first written assignment)

What is feminism?
How is feminism used in this book?
How are feminism and Marjane connected?
What things or experiences occurred in the book that reflect feminism?


I do not know how to start this essay, I am stressed. I think that I have to re-read Mrs. Knapps articles online on her blog on the steps necessary to complete this assignment. Ugh, the stress and anxiety of writing a paper that hopefully meets all aspects of this assignment.


The one thing that I am confused about that I need to investigate on more is does the thesis come before the introduction or does the thesis lie anywhere in the essay? And also I started to think twice if I should write a feminism essay or a reader response essay but now that I think about it I am leaning more to writing a reader response essay.

What were your feelings after reading the opening chapter of this

book?

What parts of the book made you smile? Explain what connections are there between the book and your life? Explain.

What is the most important word in the book? The most important passage? The most important event or feeling? Who shouldn’t or shouldn’t read this book? Why?

What are the best parts of the book? Why? What are the worst parts? Why?

These are some questions I found that readers usually ask themselves. What I would like to know and would like to write about is what is the role of women in this greatly written factual story? I would like to compare the various women in this book. I want to seperate Marji, Marji's mother, maid and grandmother and see how they are as individual women int his society of Iran.

Im not exactly sure yet what I want to write about burt I hope I will soon, ughhh the stress of writing and getting blanks is a killer.