What Work Is : Book Portfolio

“What Work Is” is a collection of poems written by a man named Phillip Levine about what he saw and experienced during his life. Many of these poems have been written during the WWI era, as well as before and during the period when Child Labor Laws were coming into effect. A lot of these poems are about children who have found themselves laboring for long hours over tedious jobs to try to make ends meet. Many of them were probably not even paid for their work. It is also about trying to find joy in the small things of life, even though the majority of the time you are working and miserable. The children in some of these poems are also trying to find their way into adulthood and have found that they have already been forced to mature. This collection of poetry is about the general struggles of life, especially dealing with labor.

By the early 1900’s (1904), strong rallies were beginning to be held against child labor. Children would work long and grueling hours in harsh conditions such as coal mines, wool mills, glass factories and farms. Even after child labor laws were passed in 1938, harsh conditions for other workers still continued. In 1914, WWI commenced and demand for many industrial products such as fuel, aircraft parts, ship building supplies, nylon, and food. Goods were rationed out, thus the demand was very great as was the demand for cheap laborers. Growing up in the turmoil of the Great Depression or in times of WWI and WWII, a child's true personality may have been lost in the need for money and labor. Children in those circumstances were not able to play like normal children... many did not even have a family to go home to, but were kept in labor camps over twelve hours a day. Maturing would have to have been a very quick thing... one in that situation would have to be very strong and selfless to be able to survive in such harsh times.
An example about dealing with the hard times and with finding something small in yourself is almost a sanctuary. This quote comes from the poem "Right Cross".

"...all this month I've
gone in search of the Right
Cross, the punch
which had I mastered it forty years ago
might have
saved me from the worst. The heavy bag
still hangs from the rafters of the
garage
turning in no wind, where my youngest son
left it when he went off
ten years ago
abandoning his childish pursuit to me..."

The first few lines convey the fact that the writer has lived a hard life, in which he has encountered many things he or she might not have wanted to. Having a good right hook seems to say he or she has had to deal with a lot of unruly people. It seems as though, that the bag being untouched for many years tells the reader that the man or woman writing this poem has had to make self sacrifices (like giving up on their dream of boxing) to work for a living. A passage in the very beginning of the poem suggests that although they are making it by, living seems to be a chore full of routines and boredom.

"....Though the Great Central Valley
is home for the homeless, the fruit
pickers
of creation, for runaway housewives
bored by their husbands,and
bored husbands,
the rising run does not dip back behind
the Sierras
until we're ready. The Valley Sun
just comes in. We ride, drop
our faces
in cold water, and face the prospects
of a day like last
one from which
we have not recovered."

From just reading a few sentences of Right Cross, it is clear that the lives of the low or middle class people living during the early 1900's was a hard thing to accomplish. There had to be many self sacrifices just to be able to survive. Fun and childhood had to be given up in order to put food on the table; many children were not even given a choice as to whether they were going to give up their childhood for cold reality at such a young age. Even though today in the 21st century, many families are still having to struggle to keep a roof over their head and food on the table... which is why this collection of poetry is about finding small pleasures of life, even if they are faced with drudgery every single day.

Test Essays, Early American Politics

Essay One

Essentially, the Articles of Confederation failed because it did not suit the states and their needs, and it was not specific enough to serve as the basic guidelines of a Nation. The contrast in citizens in the states was very high. Some were wealthy business owners in the Northern States, some were artisans living by sea ports, some were southerners making a living on cotton and whiskey. Yet others were frontier men, living on the edge of the 'civilized' world amongst 'savages' and wilderness. The needs for this wide range of people are extensive.

The smaller states wanted equality in this legislature and voting rights; while the states with the larger population wanted an increased voting rights according to population. The poor peoples, such as farmers in the northern region felt they were not being reasonably represented by the well-to-do pompous politicians. These were all some of the problems being addressed during the Constitutional Convention. Representatives from most states came to this convention to fairly represent their own people. Eventually, an equilibrium was found and most of the attendants were satisfied with the outcome of the convention.

Essay Two

The presidency of George Washington was a swift turning point in America's history. At first the citizens of the states were unsure whether or not one man could rule over a nation without possessing too much power and ultimately causing corruption (which was the very thing they despised, for it reminded then of England.) George Washington, of course, was the perfect candidate. He was equally loved by both the North and South for his bravery and presence. Washington stood on either side of the political line, which was a large reason that he was elected so unanimously.

Ultimately, he set a precedent of high quality and standard. He chose to serve for only two terms in office, thus proving to the people that indeed he was not a dictator, nor did he expect the next to hold office should be either. The debate on how to follow in his footsteps, and what ideals were truly right for this new nation was the cause of the true separation in political parties.

The first parties went by these names: the Democratic Republicans, and the Federalists. The Federalist (led by Alexander Hamilton (?) ) held the understanding that the colonies should be governed by a central government, which would look over the entire Nation as a whole, but still granting the states a legislature so that they were able to govern themselves as well. The Democratic Republicans saw it differently. John Adams and the rest of his political party believed that each state should be its own union; without central government or a central form of currency. Washington's precedent ultimately set the bar for the American leaders in the future.

Essay Three

There are three branches in the United States: the Executive Branch, the Legislative Branch, and the Judicial Branch.

The Executive Branch houses the top leaders of the US. Ultimately the head of all branches and citizens is the President. You must be at least 35 years old and natural born citizen to be able to at least run for this office. The President is counselled by his Cabinet, whom is chosen by him to aid him in being a leader. As well as being head of the other houses, the President is Commander in Chief of all military and naval practices. He also has power to veto any laws that are proposed by the Congress. A President's term is four years.

Next, is the Legislative Branch. There are two houses inside this branch; Congress and the House of Representatives. The House of Representatives is composed of 2 or more representatives from each state who are elected by the people of that state. The Legislature has the power to propose and pass laws. The second house, Congress, is slightly higher up in standing than the House of Representatives. They generally do the same thing as the House of Representatives, only not with the states, but for the Federal Government. The President has the power to Veto a law that is about to be passed if he so chooses. The Legislative Branch, however does have the power to impeach, so in this way they look after each other. To be part of the House of Representatives, you must be a citizen of the state you wish to represent.

At last, there is the Judicial Branch. This branch has power over the court systems and the Supreme court. A Supreme Court judge (appointed by the President) stays in this position for life, until there is due cause to eject him from his office. All three branches have the power of checks and balances, which means that they regulate each other, making this an affective form of government.