Blog #8

Part I

1. In the late nineteenth century the industrialization era had began. After the Civil War, many women’s role had already changed. Some of them had left their homes and their usual domestic duties and were on their own. Some others, had a family and still worked. Even though women found work in clothing factories, they were still underestimated. They weren’t paid hourly wages. Instead, women’s salary was based on the quantity of their work. Consequently, women started to produce more to earn more. Additionally, women started working in offices. They were good at typewriting. Most of the time, the working class women worked in more than one job, to help their families. Middle class women didn’t have to work. They were either married or from comparatively wealthier families. Elite women didn’t work either. Moreover, they were wealthy enough to have servants who performed their domestic work.

2. The importance of the images is to reflect the dramatic change in Native American women who were sent to boarding schools. In the first picture the girls are dressed like Indigenes. Additionally, they set on the floor. Whereas in the other picture they are around a table, dressed like western women. Most importantly, one of the girls has an open book. This is to show that in these schools they could learn how to read. Most importantly, the images convey an ethnocentric point of view. Native American women were forced to come out of their culture and adapt the western culture, which was considered superior.

Part 2

1. Women from different backgrounds worked at the factory. For one thing, Bessie Van Vorst encounters a woman who has been working their for many years. The physical condition of her eyes reflect years of experience. This woman advices Van Vorst that working at the factory is not going to result in decent life. Next, Van Vorst meets a girl who’s family has the means to support her. Nevertheless, she still chooses to work because this girl wants to spend her own money. Finally, there are others she meets, who had to work because they had to support their families and themselves. Van Vorst sees that every woman in the factory has a personal reason to be there.

2. Bessie Van Vorst concludes that working women are passive in accepting their working conditions because she sees how important they are for their employers and in what conditions they work. These women accept what they are given without realizing their value as a worker. I think Van Vorst is right in saying that women accept whatever conditions of work they are offered. However, I do not agree in that these women are “unwilling to stand up” for their rights. First, all these women have different backgrounds. Some women have financially strong families. Some others need to work to survive. Because their reasons and needs are different, they do not have a common goal. Next, many women don’t want to speak out because they think they may lose their jobs. And for some, losing this job can be crucial. Finally, women, unlike men, are just starting to establish their place in the society, outside of their homes. While they are willing to change their conditions, it is not easy for these women to challenge the new system.