Questions for Discussion

  1. Does Barbara Ehrenreich seem to be exaggerating the workplace as she describes it in this selection? If you have worked in a restaurant, does her description of the environment match your experience?

    Question

    WvD/qlpt4lzzWb4zUwGWBQhKPjtDvqj8sRamu7J1DAyqPwYZ7lQ7Wr5WbEA=
    Chapter 7 - from Serving in Florida - Questions for Discussion: Does Barbara Ehrenreich seem to be exaggerating the workplace as she describes it in this selection? If you have worked in a restaurant, does her description of the environment match your experience?
  2. What is Ehrenreich’s attitude toward her coworkers? Does she appreciate them? Is she condescending? How do you react to her observations?

    Question

    WvD/qlpt4lzzWb4zUwGWBQhKPjtDvqj8sRamu7J1DAyqPwYZ7lQ7Wr5WbEA=
    Chapter 7 - from Serving in Florida - Questions for Discussion: What is Ehrenreich’s attitude toward her coworkers? Does she appreciate them? Is she condescending? How do you react to her observations?
  3. Early in the selection, as Ehrenreich pays bills left over from her “real life,” she reflects, “[My] old life is beginning to look exceedingly strange” (para. 8). At the end, she asks, “So why didn’t I intervene [with George]?” (para. 18). Does the experience of “serving in Florida” change Ehrenreich? Cite specific passages to support your response.

    Question

    WvD/qlpt4lzzWb4zUwGWBQhKPjtDvqj8sRamu7J1DAyqPwYZ7lQ7Wr5WbEA=
    Chapter 7 - from Serving in Florida - Questions for Discussion: Early in the selection, as Ehrenreich pays bills left over from her “real life,” she reflects, “[My] old life is beginning to look exceedingly strange” (para. 8). At the end, she asks, “So why didn’t I intervene [with George]?” (para. 18). Does the experience of “serving in Florida” change Ehrenreich? Cite specific passages to support your response.
  4. According to Ehrenreich, who is to blame for the situation of those who work at low-paying jobs in restaurants? Are there heroes and villains, or does the workplace itself change the people who are part of it?

    Question

    WvD/qlpt4lzzWb4zUwGWBQhKPjtDvqj8sRamu7J1DAyqPwYZ7lQ7Wr5WbEA=
    Chapter 7 - from Serving in Florida - Questions for Discussion: According to Ehrenreich, who is to blame for the situation of those who work at low-paying jobs in restaurants? Are there heroes and villains, or does the workplace itself change the people who are part of it?
  5. Overall, what is your attitude toward Ehrenreich and her method of research? Does choosing to live as one of the working poor for a short time—as a kind of visitor or tourist—give her an accurate picture of their lives? Explain whether you find her presentation of them respectful, convincing, sympathetic, patronizing, superficial, or some combination of these. Cite specific passages.

    Question

    WvD/qlpt4lzzWb4zUwGWBQhKPjtDvqj8sRamu7J1DAyqPwYZ7lQ7Wr5WbEA=
    Chapter 7 - from Serving in Florida - Questions for Discussion: Overall, what is your attitude toward Ehrenreich and her method of research? Does choosing to live as one of the working poor for a short time—as a kind of visitor or tourist—give her an accurate picture of their lives? Explain whether you find her presentation of them respectful, convincing, sympathetic, patronizing, superficial, or some combination of these. Cite specific passages.
  6. Ehrenreich’s essay delivers strong implications about the U.S. economy. What is the relationship between the macroeconomy and the microeconomy in the essay? Which is more prominent? Identify places where she addresses each. What implications does her essay make about each?

    Question

    WvD/qlpt4lzzWb4zUwGWBQhKPjtDvqj8sRamu7J1DAyqPwYZ7lQ7Wr5WbEA=
    Chapter 7 - from Serving in Florida - Questions for Discussion: Ehrenreich’s essay delivers strong implications about the U.S. economy. What is the relationship between the macroeconomy and the microeconomy in the essay? Which is more prominent? Identify places where she addresses each. What implications does her essay make about each?